After the fall of the Roman Empire, Germanic Barbarians known as Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain and soon took over large parts of the island. A new culture began to form, but there were tensions in religious beliefs within the new groups that formed. The Anglo Saxons were originally Pagan but eventually missionary efforts from Ireland to Rome converted Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. Paganism held out the longest in the extreme south and among common people (“Attributes of the Anglo-Saxon He”). One of the most important Anglo-Saxon literary works is the epic poem “Beowulf.” The epic poem brings many Anglo-Saxon values to life. There is an evident importance in Anglo-Saxon literature towards possessing hero-like characteristics such has courage, honor, loyalty, strength, power, leadership and skill in battle. The Anglo-Saxons also gave great importance to family, a kinless man was an object of pity. In addition, if a member of the family passed away it was up to the remaining family members to avenge their death (“Attributes of the Anglo-Saxon …show more content…
This becomes evident in “The Wanderer.” In “The Wanderer” a solitary man states that he would not dare open up to anyone, he would guard his thoughts, secure his mind, and think as he wishes. His reasoning is that “a sorrowful mind doesn’t do any good” (“Wanderer” 15-36). “The Rune Poems” displayed a Christian belief that it is everyone’s obligation to give to the poor because wealth was another very important value and would remain it for years (Godden, Keynes and Lapidge