Examples Of Materialism In Beowulf

Throughout time, people have focused on the more materialistic side of life, instead of the warmth and joy of a spiritual family life. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the protagonist, Beowulf fights for greedy reasons. In this classic, Beowulf contests multiple monsters, for fame as well as gold. Beowulf wastes his time battling for materialistic goods and fame, but in the end realizes that they will not exist forever, like the family he could have started.

Throughout the poem, Beowulf fights against monsters time after time for the treasures and gold rewarded after a victory. The king of the Danes, Hrothgar, recruits the most prestige fighter around, Beowulf, to save his people from Grendel, a monster that had been disturbing the peace for years. Beowulf agrees to fight Grendel, but his reasoning for fighting Grendel was not for the people, but for grasping the treasures rewarded. After defeating Grendel, as promised, the “Halfdane’s son presented Beowulf with a gold standard as a victory gift, an embroidered banner; also breast-mail and

a helmet; and a sword carried high”(Heaney 1019-1022). In Beowulf’s Anglo-Saxon culture of the day, Kings customarily gave rewards to combatants, such as the gold Beowulf receives. It was no surprise to Beowulf to receive these gifts, because of treasures he would have won in his previous victories. Time and time again the author depicts not only Beowulf’s selfishness for treasures, but also exhibits his egotistic, fame-craving side.
While many strive for fame, Beowulf thoroughly exemplifies his fame thirsting self throughout the poem. Most in the culture had heard of Beowulf and his miraculous battles because Beowulf encompasses himself in proceedings that will make his name further known. When Beowulf arrives at Hrothgar’s land, the Danish Coast Guards state "Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. “(244-250). Beowulf was already known as virtuous fighter, but he wanted more fame, so he came to occasion committing to more fights such as Grendel. After Grendel’s defeat, Hrothgar says “So now, Beowulf, I adopt you in my heart as a dear son” (945-946). Hrothgar’s praise elevates Beowulf as well as his name to the people of his land. The poet uses Beowulf to display the cultural bias towards fame and the vigorous fights it takes to receive it. Beowulf achieves the ultimate goals for the culture, wealth and fame, so he should have reached complete satisfaction in life.
Beowulf eventually dies fighting the Dragon, but while dying he realizes that all the fame and goods he worked for would not go with him.

While fame will stay around for a while, eventually even the most noble will be forgotten. As he laid suffering on the ground, Beowulf “gazed sadly at the gold” (2792) that Wiglaf had put in front of him. The material possessions that Beowulf had worked for his whole life were suddenly disappearing in front of his own eyes; he could not take them with him to the afterlife. Beowulf had no family, because he had spent his time trying to make himself known as a splendid human being, receiving riches on the way. As a result of Beowulf’s death, a new leader would have to come along for the Geats, but Beowulf had no family, so he had to pass the power on to someone else. Beowulf dies with his fame, but the materials he fought for his whole life, were now worth nothing to

him.
Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney displays Beowulf’s alter ego and his urge for materialistic goods. In the epic poem, Beowulf time and time again fights for gold and for his fame. Beowulf eventually encounter’s a Dragon that results in the Beowulf’s death. While dying, Beowulf realizes that he has no one to pass power of the Geats to, and that all the gold and fame he had worked for his whole life suddenly had no value.