19 September 2014

"Beowulf" Prelude and Chapters I - IV Reaction

- - -  What have you observed about what the Saxons value?  Explain how you know this.

- - -  Why is Beowulf introduced in such a coy manner?

47 comments:

  1. In the first few chapters, it has been shown that the Saxons value many things. They value and honor their leaders. When the lord had died, he was given a funeral according to his wishes. This shows that the lord’s people are grateful for him for all that he had done. The lords also value their people. When Grendle came to the town, the leader tried to find a way to protect them. Lastly, the sacrifices that are made at shrines show that the Saxons value their pagan culture. They value the culture because sacrifices are a part of paganism.
    Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner in chapter three. He is said to be the “mightiest man of valor” and during his introduction he is collecting men and a boat to sail to see a king. He may be a man of valor; that being displayed by his courage to collect men, but that is all that is stated about his braveries. He is introduced in a coy manner because his character could be humble and not want to be portrayed to be full of himself.

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  2. Anthony Johnson PD. 1September 20, 2014 at 6:15 PM

    When speaking about their leaders from Scyld of Schefing through Hygelac, they always mention honor, courage, noble, and well liked because of these traits. These are values they keep dear to them, because that is what respectable men had back then.

    Life was lived in a certain standard. This all changed until Grendel came to wreak bloody havoc. We are introduced to Grendel first because he is the antagonist in this story.

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  3. 1) The Saxons value reputation and honor: this is evidenced by the fact that the names of their kings and important ancestors are mentioned by name. It is also made clear by the fact that kings are lain to rest in an honorary way. Their purpose in honoring deceased kings is also to establish a reputation of opulence.

    2) Beowulf is introduced in a coy way (as a great prince) perhaps as a way to establish for readers his future success.

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  4. ---The Saxons value how heroic people are and the bloodline they come from. In the story most people are referred to by the great deeds they have done. Their ancestors also show where they belong among society.
    --- In the story we are not even introduced to Beowulf as Beowulf. He is introduced as the foremost man. Its seems as if the writers wanted to build um suspense to see if it really is Beowulf.

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  5. --- The Saxons value bravery, heroic deeds, and generosity with wealth. In the prelude, it is said that it's "fitting that a young prince use wealth thus in his younger days while his father still lives; graciously giving so that when war comes in his later years, willing warriors come to his aid and comrades hold steadfast and loyal". If wealth was distributed generously, you would gain honor and respect among clans. Also, the poem even reads that "praiseworthy deeds are the ways to attain honor in every clan". If you are an honorable, brave warrior who doesn't abuse your power, you will most likely gain honor and respect among everyone.

    --- Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because instead of coming right out and saying what he did and why he was noble, we will learn what makes him so great as we read the story. Not much is described about Beowulf so we rely on what others say and think about him so we can get more insight on Beowulf.

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  6. Melissa Colbaugh Period:5September 21, 2014 at 2:36 PM

    1. In Beowulf, the Saxons strongly value loyalty. When an unexpected fate is struck by the Saxons they never seem to give up. They all come together as a team and fight back what has been taken from them. For instance, In the story Beowulf, a demon named Grendel reaked havoc on the Saxons's men because the monster was unhappy with songs that were sung about God's creation of the earth. The beast acted upon the disturbance by slaughtering thirty of the Saxons men. When Beowulf hears about the tragedy his first reaction is to be brave and destroy the demon with the help of his soliders. Beowulf along with his soldiers come together as one to help others in need.

    2. Beowulf was written between the 8th century or early 11th century. At the time it was written it could of been forbidden to talk about supernatural conspiraces such as demons and monsters. When introducing this topic around this time period, the author wanted to keep it modest for the sake of the plot becoming exposed for others to read.

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  7. The Saxons value power and wealth as it is shown in the novel by only speaking/seeing the warriors that have the best weaponry and heroic looking people to help them. The people also really do care about their kings in the story especially when their Lord died and they sent him to the sea; all the people were very saddened. Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner to give a mysterious edge to him so it would interest Hrothgar into meeting him. He is described as a noble warrior and very heroic. The way he is described gives a foreshadowing effect to the story.

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  8. 1. The Saxons value courage/valor. "he was the mightiest man of valor...they commended his daring spirit" (Page 17) The Scyldings represent the Saxons and this quote shows how they valued courage. Hygelac ordered a "sturdy wave-travler be made steady" because he was going to was going to visit the Danes king. He chose warriors to go with him and they went. Hygelac's courageous decision shows his valor. This also shows that people respected his valor because they did as he said, no questions asked. This Scyldings directly reflect the Saxons so you can assume the Saxons would respect Hygelac's actions the way the Scyldings did.
    2. I disagree in the fact that Beowulf was introduced in a coy manner. Beowulf was the foremost man and the first man to respond to the gaurd, which is the opposite of coy. He represented the warriors alone showing courage. He told the scout their "nationality" and their mission without hesitation. This to me shows that Beowulf was a courageous warrior and ready to stand up for himself and his warriors.

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  9. The Saxon's are a group of people that have lots of strength and close relations. They have strength from due to them coming together and putting 14 of there strongest men on a boat to see Grendel. They also took armor and weapons which shows strength. Beowulf was first mentioned as the leader of his people and had a great reputation from his people. He was coy due to his father death and did not want the issue to be popular or outgoing.

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  10. The Saxons value revenge and violence. I know this because Grendel that wants to destroy everything in its path makes for something like a war in itself. They want to get revenge and that is through violence.


    Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because the author wants to explain what had happened to him through literature instead of through telling in more of a story matter. He uses many different words to replace others that may tell more detail.

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  11. The Saxons value traits such as courage and strength. The had to be courageous because they needed to be willing to put down their lives for their country when they were going up to face Grendel. They knew they had to be strong as this task of defeating this monster would be quite difficult. Beowulf is introduced in such a manner to show that he is loved by all, because he gave all he could to his people.

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  12. In the opening chapters of the book it is clear the Saxons strongly value family ties and appreciate their ancestors. This trait is characterized through how the poet describes each character. For example, Hrothgar's and Beowulf's fathers are both mentioned despite not playing a significant role in the story. Another thing the reader notices is the steadfast allegiance each character has to his respective king and clansmen. The sentry by the sea asks the war party first not their names, but their nationality.
    It is also apparent that the Saxons enjoy peace and the simple pleasures of life. This is demonstrated by Hrothgar's generosity towards his people, the building of the hall name Heorot, and the arts and revelry that take place there.


    Beowulf is introduced in a reserved fashion because despite his great feats, he is a humble man at heart. Like his worthy comrades, he lives to serve a king, not himself (though notoriety is certainly an incentive). Beowulf is proud of his lineage and people, but does not flaunt his individual skill. The reason the poet withholds Beowulf's name until after introducing him as a hero is to build suspense. An important element of the story was to let him verbalize his own name without an action by the narrator.

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  13. Hannah Lanzelotti pd. 3September 21, 2014 at 8:53 PM

    1. The Saxons value a higher power. In the story so far, the Saxons are always referring to god. Christianity was not invented yet, but the Saxons know there is a higher power and choose to respect that. Although they value a god, they also like to acknowledge their rulers and heros of the time. They choose to put a lot of fame on the people in high positions and think that by doing so, their people will be protected. They put their trust in all of these higher powers and heros to ensure their protection.

    2. Beowulf is introduced in a reserved fashion to portray the power of Grendel. The story starts off by introducing the highest powers before Beowulf's time. This showing that the Danish did prosper. They had a strong military under Hrothgar, so they do have power. Introducing Grendel as a huge force that should not be messed with shows that whoever decides to take the beast on must be respected and have power. By playing up Grendel's strengths even more than Beowulf's, it shows even more how much of a hero he is and will be when taking on the beast.

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  14. 1) I have observed that the Saxons value anybody who they believe does well for them. That being said I believe that they value heroes. Bravery is more in depth in what the Saxons look for in a hero. In this heroic poem they mention, "Bravery in battle is a sign of loyalty to a lord because this gains fame, honor, and treasure for him. It is extremely important to be loyal to one`s ruler, family, and clan." They want to be protected and they want to claim land so they can have more power.
    2) Beowulf is introduced in such a shy manner because he does not have the courage. He was to fall into his father`s footsteps to become an important and famous hero to the Saxons. Although he was a popular person to the Saxons, he was only popular because of his father. They were not sure if he would be as powerful as his father and live up to the expectations they had for him.

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  15. In Beowulf, it seems as though the Saxons value courage and respect. Courage was introduced very early in the book of Beowulf. They talk about monsters particularly Grendal and how they courageously fought even though many didn't prevail over him. The second value of the Saxons is respect. This is shown when they're great king dies and they send him in a boat and ship him to sea with treasures all in respect to their deceased king.

    I think they introduced Beowulf in a manner such as this, to let the reader know that he is like many other men of the land and not just a hero out to slay beasts and destroy anything in his path.

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  16. The Saxons value the heroic code and strong leadership. Through the story they describe the honor and power of heroes of their time. The kings looked for these qualities in their warrior and rewarded them if they were successful. The kings were treated as gods during their rule with vast wealth.

    Beowulf is introduced in a coy or reserved manner to make him seem more trustworthy to the scout to allow him to enter the land. This manner of introduction leads the readers to believe that he may be hiding something because he is reluctant to give away too much of his plans for destroying the monstrous beast Grendel.

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  17. The Saxons value family and peace because of the ancestor chain that the poet mentions. Beowulf is introduced as coy because he is modest along with being a powerful warrior.

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  18. By my observation, the Saxons valued kings and heroic warriors. They were honorable and showed great thanks to their rulers. They valued the strength and courage in warriors. I see this from the way the Saxons treat the kings and warriors. They give them great praise and show loads of gratitude by showering them with gifts. When need be, they will fight for them. That shows truly how much the Saxons respect them.

    Beowulf is a strong noble warrior. He does not seek for fame or fortune, but to better the land. He is introduced in a coy manner because although he is a fierce warrior, he shows gratiousness. Beowulf fights for what he believes in and for his father.

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  19. Anglo Saxon’s are well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. I think thats what they value. Beowulf is not happy at the start of this book.

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  20. 1. The Saxons value displays of wealth. They built a grand meadhouse described as "far mightier than any seen". The Saxons freely hand out valuables to anyone who comes along as well, as they deem it as the will of the Lord.

    2. Beowulf is introduced in such a manner in order to build the setting. It organizes itself by talking about the building of the kingdom Beow resides in. It then talks about Beow's background, before talking about Grendel, and afterwards, Grendel's actions. These all add to the setting of the book.

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  21. In these chapters I have observed that the Saxons value peace and their families. I know this because of the sanctuary that they built. Also from the ancestor chain the poet mentions. They introduce Beowulf coyly because of how strong of a warrior he is. Although he is such a strong warrior he is modest at the same time unlike other warriors.

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  22. I have observed that the Saxons held a valuable part during the time period . In this time, the Saxons held riches and built huge halls that were widely known. The Saxons were viewed as strong, but the Roman Empire had control over a large portion of the world. The Saxons were attacked by the Romans but were viewed as one of the forces that opposed them. In Beowulf, the Roman Empire is depicted as a monster named Grendel. Both the empire and monster showed brutality and evil.

    I believe Beowulf is introduced in such a coy manner to allow the story's progression to shape him. I think the story only gives out a few details about him to let the reader follow him and his actions instead of describing him fully in the beginning.

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  23. The Saxons value things such as loyalty to their clans, more specifically their clan leaders, and bravery. Their bravery in battle is actually a direct sign of loyalty to their lord because of the importance of generosity. The benefits the lord receives come from that warrior’s bravery. In this society loyalty to their family, ruler, and clan is extremely important. Loyalty to the clan leader is the most important, however, because without a ruler, clans can be seen as vulnerable to other clans and thus fall victim to attacks. This epic poem is also centered around bravery and confidence. This is directly related to the fact that in this society these qualities were revered mostly because in order to possess these qualities one had to be willing to make sacrifices. The value of sacrifice is caused by their Pagan religion. We find out within the text that this society is Pagan when the poem discusses the importance of making sacrifices at heathen shrines. This type of sacrifice is deeply rooted in Pagan religion and not included in other religions such as Christianity which is what the Saxons are converted to later down the line.

    Beowolf is introduced both coyly and in a way that shows he is very confident. One could argue that this is a coy introduction of Beowulf because within the text the author and Beowulf do not come out and directly say his name. We know that it is Beowulf being introduced though because he says that he is the son of Ecgtheow. Even though this could be considered a coy introduction Beowulf makes sure he leaves a confident and lasting impression on the people of Scylding. Upon arrival of the Scylding’s land, Beowulf is the man to answer the thane of Hrothgar’s questions. Beowulf does not hesitate to answer and he is very confident in every word he says. He tells him why he is there, that he means no harm to the people of Scylding, and that all he and his men have come to do is to help them kill the monster. Obviously his word is believable and demanding enough that the thane could trust him and so he leads Beowulf and his men to the hall. He was more than likely introduced this way to show how brave he truly is. To show that his name does not give him more or less confidence; that he is exactly who he is with or without a big, glamorous, in-your-face introduction.

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  24. They put a strong emphasis on courage. Courage is a key point in the dark world of beowulf. It allows him to pursue obstacles such as the dark creature he mentions in chapter IV. Beowulf is introduced this way to show his nobility while still having an attractive quality to himself.

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  25. 1. Within the first four chapters, I have observed that the Saxons value bravery and recognition. These are both important to them along with loyalty. Instituting their own identities seems to be a main idea for them. They tell people who they are and details about them for their loyalty. For their character, they exaggerate on their achievements to make a name for themselves. From these chapters, blustering about themselves is something everyone does. The Saxons boast themselves up talking about bravery and what they would do to act tough. Their actions have to match their words or else they were not loyal to each other. If they did not do what they talked about, they would have lost respect and could not be trusted by the other Saxons.

    2. Beowulf was introduced coyly because they do not actually say that it was Beowulf. However, he did speak out in front of all his men. The men did not know all about Beowulf’s past therefore he was new to them. During Beowulf’s introduction, he opens up while supplicating his past reputation with his great accomplishments. He was introduced coyly because of the author’s patience to mention his name.

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  26. Straight out of the Prelude, I observed an important Saxon value from the line, "praiseworthy deeds are the ways to attain honor in every clan." When applied in context, this observation reveals a lot about Saxon values in that they admire those who have partaken in glorious acts or valor or recognition. This leads into my next observation, which is the funeral that takes place. The extent of the funeral and its luxury offers much about the Saxon value of idol admiration, turning to a king for answers. Chapter 1 provides incite as to the Saxon value of proudly-constructed architecture, further incited by the later mention of sacrifice. Those of this nationality value war and conflict as a means to an end. Even the ship used for the aforementioned funeral was "adorned with weapons or war and battle gear, blades and armored mail." The Saxons exhibit these values throughout just these 4 chapters of the book, offering much insight into their culture and societal values.
    Beowulf's introduction was coy because it was used as a mode of introduction seen even in some modern forms of literature. I have seen even movie adaptations use this type of introduction to a main character, and it is incredible to see such a parallel in such an old piece of literature. His coy introduction was so because it is a technique meant to make the audience, and the reader, want to know more about the main character that had just been introduced. A lot of questions are raised by his introductory lines, and it provides the reader with some early knowledge of the character that bears the name of the book. The word coy is used to define a mannerism that is alluring to someone, which here is the introduction being used to allure the audience into addressing and learning of the main character.

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  27. Maggie Crombie Period 5September 22, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    It is clear that the Saxons value a hierarchy within society. They order society based on the amount of power someone has. Thanes were given a semi-important role because they owned land within the community. Because of this value placed upon hierarchy, the Saxons highly regard their king. Even in the prelude, the author says, “and they laid their beloved lord.” This statement alone is very telling of society. They gave their king a grand memorial on the ship that his body was sent away in, for they loaded that ship with jewels and riches. The book also states that the Saxons were mourning the loss of their king and were deeply saddened by his death. They also cherish loyalty through by their people. The rulers are held in such high opinion because they stay true to their people. The courage the beloved ruler had, caused him to be so influential in the people’s lives. They made sacrifice to their lords. The idea of sacrifice also indicates value placed in religion. Saxons feel as though they need to make offerings to a higher power. Saxons were deeply rooted in their faith.

    Beowulf is the man leading his men across the sea to help Hrothgar fight the monster causing havoc in Danes. The narrator mentions Beowulf in Chapter 3, saying, “… He was the mightiest man of valor, stalwart and noble.” When they arrive on shore and are questioned by the guard, it is made clear that the guard assumes Beowulf as a noble warrior because he says that he has never seen men come across the ocean and so fearlessly come onto their land. This is not directly stated, but can be interpreted from the text. They introduce him in this sense because of the great value they placed upon their kings for staying humble although they are the mighty lord. Their high moral standards create a sense of respectable qualities that the king ruler would not like to hear boasted about.

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  28. One thing that is is clear is that the Saxons value and respect their leaders and their patriarchal lineage. The first few chapters of the book are used simply to express the history of rulers of the Danes. When one dies, he is given a beautiful funeral and his son will take over all powers. The rulers of the Saxons are definitely respected.

    Beowulf is introduced in such a coy manner for literary purposes. He is being eased into the story to better his character development. If he was abruptly introduced and all off his character was presented to readers right away, there would be no room for development. Instead, he is introduced very vaguely, making readers wonder who he really is.

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  29. The Saxons value success and leadership. This is shown because their main focus right now is on their former beloved leader. They proudly devoted their lives to him because of the great success and dependability he must have shown to his people. They highly respect Beowulf because he was the son of their former leader. Comparing him to a gift from the gods. Almost comparing savior of their people.

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  30. The Saxons value success and leadership. This is shown because their main focus right now is on their former beloved leader. They proudly devoted their lives to him because of the great success and dependability he must have shown to his people. They highly respect Beowulf because he was the son of their former leader. Comparing him to a gift from the gods. Almost comparing savior of their people.

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  31. As the character Beowulf was introduced, they already have shown how important he is. The author makes you think that Beowulf is as tough as nails and can handle anything in his path. His characteristics make us readers think he is completely unstoppable. Beowulf to me seems invincible, nothing is greater then him.

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  32. Zach Moorhead_Period 5September 22, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    I have observed that the Saxons value being loyal to their leaders. They have good intentions in mind. Saxons value bravery in what seems to be a society revolved around the males. I know this because Hrothgar has been trying to fight Grendel for a very long time. The Danes continue to lose lives but stay strong and fight.

    Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because, he wanted to portray himself in a peaceful way to the Scylding scout. Beowulf didn't go to fight, he was there with bravery.

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  33. I observed that the Saxons value heroic code of bravery and strength. I know because Beow comes to help Hrothgar with no fear. He knew Grendel had been killing people in Danish for years and he came prepared to fight.

    Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because he wanted to establish trust with the guard and The Geats because he was entering their kingdom. He wanted to show that he owes his loyalty to Hygelac.

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  34. The Saxons value bravery and loyalty. The Saxon society is based around lords and people under the lords like warriors going to battle and being brave. Everything the warriors get goes to The Lord so those two traits are valued. They were also Pagan, which influenced hat they valued.

    Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner to show how he is humble and somewhat shy. They don't directly say his name he is just introduced by what he does.

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  35. What have you observed about the Saxons value?
    The Saxons value bragging and they aren't afraid to die or fight for what they want. They value their heritage and where they came from. They shows this by saying "the son of Scyld's" or "the son of Healdfene". They value courage and they value the society of Saxons.

    Why is Beowulf introduced in such a coy manner?
    Beowulf was introduced in a coy manner because maybe the narrator had a different view of him than the other characters did. The narrator didn't want us to know just yet how powerful he was in the society.

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  36. The Saxons are very arrogant.They seem to value winning and then brag about it. I know this because they constantly talk about the praise someone would get had they won something. Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because he does not want to come off as arrogant as the others. Beowulf is an honorable warrior and he wants to keep that name for himself.

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  37. The saxons value strong leaders, heroic family history, and miltary conquests of other people.

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  38. The Saxon's value qualities like courage and strength. It is mentioned that the Grendel prays on the men who sought rest at night. I took that more as the men who relax and let their guard down are more likely to be taken rather than the men who are armed and ready at all times. Also, only the bravest and strongest of men were chosen as warriors and were idolized by the common people.

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  39. 1. They value heroes and strong leaders, they want to be protected.
    2. It's irony to what he's going to do

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  40. Beowulf is introduced in a coy manner because the beginning of the book is more focused on the antagonist, Grendel, in order to create the plot. Without the bad guy there would be no need for a good guy. I also feel like they want to build anticipation leading to the conflict that is going to happen between the main characters.

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  41. The Saxons value bravery because it is a sign of loyalty in their society. Any good member of society will be brave in the face of combat and danger as a sign of loyalty to their ruler and family. They have to be loyal to their ruler because if they are not they are weak and vulnerable to attacks from other clans.

    Beowulf is introduced in such a coy manner because they don't directly say his name. This just shows how brave of a person he really is and that he doesn't need everybody to know his name.

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  42. The Saxons value many things. Among them are lineage and the idea that one's identity comes from lineage. This is evident in the opening lines of the poem. The very first piece of information given is the family tree of the Saxon royalty. This immediately shows how important one's lineage is in finding one's identity. Along with identity,comes reputation. It is evident that the Saxons value reputation by the way that they talk about and honor their king. "His dear clansmen carried him to the seashore, as he had bid them do while he still ruled over the Scyldings with words; he was a well-loved chieftain and long was his tenure as lord" (p. 12) To regard someone as lord and to be buried in such a manner as this king would only be done for a ruler who was loved by all.
    Beowulf is introduced in such a coy manner to pull the reader in and entice them with his eloquence of speech. They show his heroism by his bravery and willingness to go into and help the Saxons the way that he did. The Saxons valued heroism and also their royalty, therefore, their nobility was viewed as humble and would never boast. The watchman’s response to Beowulf’s arrival “anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two things: what’s said and what’s done” goes along with Beowulf’s value of eloquence. As far as the watchman is concerned, brave words are always backed up by brave deeds (p. 19).

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  43. 1.)The saxons value nobility, bravery, and wisdom. The " mightiest man of valor" was thought of as being noble and brave. When the prince set sail to find help against grendel, his daring spirit was commended by the community. Also, one of the leaders in the community was well-known for his courage. Lastly, one of the most respected chiefs around was known for his wisdom.
    2.)The saxons valued actions of men rather than heritage. This is evident from the number of chiefs who are well-known and the small number of young warriors who have been mentioned in the book. Beowulf had not yet made a name for himself, so there was no reason for him to have some legendary story or a dramatic entrance. At this point, he still did not deserve it.

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  44. They value strong leaders and war heroes. They praise each leader and value the protection that they give them.

    The author is trying to make him seem modest. He wants to make it seem like he is a strong leader.

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  45. 1.The Saxons value chivalry, power, and bravery. I know this because the Saxons say they want someone who can protect them from Grendel and finally destroy him.
    2.Beowulf was introduced in a coy manner so that the reader doesn't know the full capabilities of him. It leaves a little to the imagination not knowing how strong Beowulf really is.

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  46. The Saxons valued their strong leaders and hard fought battles.

    Beowulf didn't really have a place in the story and as the main character to make him stand out the author added a dramatic foreshadowing intro to give him a story and a hero like character in the story.

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  47. The Saxon's value being protected and having peace. This is demonstrated by the Dane's allowing Beowulf to try and defeat Grendel without trying to stop him. They want to feel safe in their own land.

    Beowulf was introduced in a coy manner because the author wanted there to be an attraction to him to grab your attention. He is presented dramatically giving him a more hero like image.

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