The world that Beowulf depicts greatly reflects Anglo-Saxon culture. The structure of the poem also follows the definition of an epic, while still providing details about the Anglo-Saxon culture. It has a national hero (Beowulf) as its subject, takes place over a long time period and many places, and has Christian elements present.

The definition of an epic states that it must be a long, narrative poem, and it must take place over many time periods and places. Beowulf corresponds with this description by taking place over many locations at different times. The poem begins in a swamp. It then switches to a mead hall, an underwater lair, and finally, back to the mead hall.

The story begins by drawing a gloomy picture of a dark swamp. The tone of this location is evil due to its inhabitant, Grendel the monster. "Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild...