Brief introduction:

Beowulf belongs to early epic poetry handed down orally from generation to generation. It recounts the deeds of an hero that fights versus a monster called Grendal.

Beowulf's characterisation is made up by his feats (gesta) of strength and courage:

Starting from his name, it includes the noun "wulf" that is very important for the denotative aspect. A "wulf" is the largest wild member of the Canidae family and it suggests some characteristics like strongness, good warrior and somebody that can defend himself from attacks.

Right from the start you can see that a narrator is speaking:

The narrator has got a positive point of view. Information from his point of view tell the reader what to think about the protagonist and in addition, he does not describe the hero's physical aspect. In conclusion the text is filtered by the narrator.

Analyzing the text, you can realise characterization contribute to convey the idea of the values of Anglo-Saxon civilization:

At line three you can see that Beowulf is "like no one else" that means he's got some qualities other people do not have. They are also the main characteristics of an hero, that was usual in the Anglo-Saxon culture and literature to write and speak about somebody those way are able to face situations that no one else were able to.

The protagonist is also "high-born" and "powerful" like a ruler. Thanks to this piece of information the intelligent reader knows more about the structure of Anglo-Saxon civilisation. They had a hierarchical organisation.

About setting and voyage:

The poem takes place in northern Europe, in Denmark. To be precise northern populations were good at fighting and sailing and they are the best values of Anglo-Saxon civilisation. Voyage contribute to the expansion to other countries.

Contemporary reader:

Today the most important message that a poem like Beowulf gives you is that the Anglo-Saxon were a warrior and settlers population and that men have some qualities that are today even important.