Gold In Beowulf Essay

The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf presents a great story of valour and honour as well as a reflection of the customs and traditions of this era. One of many famous practices was the traditional use of gold. This latter was an important element of the Anglo-Saxon culture; defining the success and heroism of its character. In Beowulf, gold, treasure, and gifts are less important for their economic value than their social value. In fact, gold can be seen as a symbol of social interaction, a desire for peace, and success.

Throughout the entire epic, it is obvious that gold is an item of value which is used as a reward, as a gift, and as a symbol of honour. The transfer of gold is also a kind of physical expression of the lord’s duty to nurture his

people. The Anglo-Saxons believed that their lives were in the hands of Fate (Wyrd). They were fierce warriors who pledged their loyalty to their king. In return, the king inspires his men with gold and treasures, expressing his gratitude and ensures further loyalty from his warriors. Once Beowulf defeats the beast, Grendel, Hrothgar showers the warrior with gold for his bravery.
Healfdane’s son gave Beowulf a golden banner, a fitting flag to signal his victory, and gave him as well, a helmet, and a coat of mail, and an ancient sword; […] ordered eight horses led to the hall, and into it , eight steeds with golden bridles. One stood with a jeweled saddle on its back. (Raffel 45)
By slaying the man-eating monster, Beowulf brings end to the Danes sufferings. Hrothgar rewards him richly, expressing that gold has a value as a show of honour and gratitude. A lord rewards with gold, and in doing so inspires continued loyalty. This tribute of gold sets other significances to this symbol such as a type of peace-offering.
On a different note, gold was used as a way of avoiding feuds by compensating one with gold. When Beowulf arrives to Denmark, Hrothgar explains how he helped Beowulf’s father, Edgetho, end the feud with he and the Wulfings.
I brought the end of Edgetho’s quarrel, sent ancient treasures through the ocean’s furrows to the Wulfings; your father swore he’d keep that peace.

(Raffel 22)

Hrothgar brings peace between the Geats and the Wulfings by offering treasured gold in order to avoid more violent vengeance. Towards the end of the story, Beowulf is faced with his final battle, caused by the misuse of gold. The servant who accidentally steals the gold cup uses this as an attempt to buy his master’s pardon. Rather than a sign of honour, gold has become something more venal in hopes to regain a loss.

During the Anglo-Saxon period, people who owned gold showed a superiority and an image of success and heroism. It was used as a motive for heroic acts and a reward for brave warriors. Kings and royalty would own great treasures, which showed them being successful subjects. A warrior earning gold showed their heroism with obvious great accomplishments. In fact, during the opening of the poem, we read about Shild, the beloved Danish king who has died.

Next to that noble corpse they heaped treasures, jeweled helmets, hooked swords and coats of mail, armour carried from the ends of the earth […] they refused to give him less form their hoards of gold than those who'd shipped him away (Raffel

4)
Shild was buried with heaps of gold and treasures, nonetheless showing how much of a successful and wealthy king he must have been. Again, this is an indication that gold had a value of expressing great success.
In the epic poem of Beowulf, the theme of gold shows a symbolism of rewarding honour and gratitude, a symbolism of peace making, and a symbolism of success and heroism. The application of treasures with the Anglo-Saxons was used as an attempt to create bonds. Gold brings a kind of honour to those who earn it, and it is given as a gift to those who show great courage and bravery.