What was The Heroic Ideal Of Anglo Saxons?

Answer 1

The heroic ideal of Anglo Saxons was an idealized warrior. He was an example of what Anglo Saxons admired as masculine qualities. He was fearless but did not behave foolishly. He was serious, but not dull. He was adjusted to the soldierly code of kill or be killed. He would accept as normal behavior such as boasting, and seeking fame. In short, he would have the qualities of Beowulf as shown in the epic Beowulf.

Answer 2

The heroic ideal of Anglo-Saxons and other Germanic tribes in the 5th and 6th centuries was one in which men risked their lives in battle without hesitation, disregarded wound and injury while in pursuit of battle and glory by pure strength of will, and looked down upon the trivial concerns of lesser human beings.

It was considered shameful to outlive one's own lord on the field of battle, but if such a situation were to occur, his thegns (men who would swear fealty to a lord in exchange for food, housing, and a sense of community) must avenge the loss of his life, even if it meant losing their own in the process. Virtues such as strength, courage, loyalty, and reputation were admired during this time period.

Upon old age, the Germanic hero aspired to die in battle and endeavored to die a shameful "straw death"- dying peacefully on a straw mattress. A glorious end was pursued, one that would be remembered in song and story.