Anglo-Saxon culture displays a wide variety of values and traits that are both commendable and frowned upon. Some of these values include courage, strength, greed, and many others. Many values of Anglo-Saxon culture are prominent in our society today. One key aspect of Anglo-Saxon culture that is quite present today is boasting. Boasting, or the act of showing off one's accomplishments, has been present for thousands of years and shows no signs of diminishing.
In the times of the Anglo-Saxons, visitors of towns would introduce themselves based on their past accomplishments and feats. In Beowulf, when he entered into King Hrothgar's palace, his initial introductions included his major battles, successes, and triumphs. Although his intentions were to acquire an amount of trust in the Danes, his boasting was another way to show off. Because of his boasting, the king and the Danes felt secure in knowing that Beowulf was a courageous and strong warrior--based on what he said.
Nowadays this value is very much present and only slightly different than how it was shown in Anglo-Saxon times. For example, when building a resume' or running for a position in office, it's mandatory to boast about accomplishments so that the employer or the people voting will feel secure about who they're hiring or choosing for a political position. Also, boasting in these scenarios may raise one above others and give an edge on competition. However, boasting can prove to make one seem overconfident or even vainglorious. In my experience, when a boy, for example, is trying to impress a girl, he may boast about his possessions, accomplishments, or physical state in order to raise their confidence as well as attempt to "win over" the girl. Many values of Anglo-Saxon culture are still prominent today, and boasting is one that is conspicuously present.
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