Mead Hall In Beowulf

If you were alive in 500 A.D, where would you go to party? You would drop your sword and chainmail then head to your local mead hall! In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, the place to be was Heorot’s Great Mead Hall. On the surface this space just looks like a grand hall where warriors go in order to have a good time with friends, and excessive amounts of alcohol. Although it is a place of joy and booze consumption, the mead hall is used as a symbol of community, new beliefs, and reputation.

Reputation is a driving force in Pagan beliefs and it becomes apparent in Heorot’s Hall. After the battle with Grendel’s mother that almost claimed the lives of Beowulf and his men, the following is said, “It was a task for

four To hoist Grendel’s head on a spear And bear it under strain to the bright hall but soon enough they neared the place, Fourteen Geats in fine fettle, Striding across the outlying ground In a delighted throng around the leader” (1637-1643). As with most battles of the Anglo-Saxon period, each warrior came out with some sort of trophy. Whether that be gold, weapons, or the head of an enemy like Grendel. A high status man with a strong reputation like Beowulf, has many “trophies” to display in Heorot’s hall. The hall itself is a trophy, but one of Hrothgar, “The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar… So his mind turned to hall building; he handed down orders for men to work on a great mead-hall, meant to be a wonder of the world forever” (64-70). This allowed Hrothgar to share his spoils of war with his beloved kinsmen and townsfolk, expanding the community around him.
The communities of old Europe had to be close nit, just like those that drink in the hall.

Every time the mead hall is attacked the community bands together to get revenge. “A great reversal once Grendel’s mother Attacked and entered…... Then in the hall, hard-honed swords Were grabbed from the bench, many a broad shield Lifted and braced; there was little thought of helmets Or woven mail when they woke in terror” (1279-1291). This is a pure attack on the community of Heorot, and the warriors do later get revenge by killing her. The same happened for Grendel, he attempted to disrupt the community, and everyone in it joined in arms. Community is also a common theme in old english poetry, to survive the cold, dark, and lonely winters everyone must group together. The most obvious function of the hall is a place to drink and be merry, This is the anglo-saxon version of a community center. Musicians, poets, dancers and more would come to the hall for entertainment “Every day in the hall, the harp being struck

And the clear song of a skilled poet Telling with mastery of man’s beginnings, How the Almighty had made the earth A gleaming plain girdled with waters; In His splendour He set the sun and moon To be earth’s lamplight, lanterns for men...So times were pleasant for the people there” (89-99). Every community has a place to relax and net new people, and the mead hall fits that

purpose.
The most cryptic interpretation of the mead hall is its significance the changing of cultures.

It is mentioned in the epic that the dragon that slayed Beowulf was safe guarding treasure of an old time, once this treasure which may represent pagan values is lost, then everything collapses in Heorot. . “The dragon from underearth, his nightmarish destroyer, lay destroyed as well, utterly without life. … …The treasure had been won, been bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death. Both had reached the end of the road through the life they had been lent” (2824-3172). The changing of ways had occurred as soon as the old leader had died, a symbol of passing time and the fleeting nature of certain values. The hall itself is a place of warmth and comfort and even stands for a while after Beowulf's death, just like. There is an element of conflicting interpretations here however, although the hall may represent the changing of values it may as well be interpreted as the old ways, the hall may be viewed as the treasure of Heorot. “Through age-long vigils, though to little avail. For three centuries, this scourge of the people had stood guard on that stoutly protected underground treasury, until the intruder 2280 unleashed its fury; he hurried to his lord with the gold-plated cup and made his plea” (2276-2280). The old ways were fine for many years until someone came along and disturbed it. Although the connection may not be apparent the mead hall has some form of symbolism of the ways of

anglo-saxon life.
On the surface all locations are the same. A rock is a rock, but when put together into magnificent shapes, structures, or other works of art it gains meaning. Just as the mead hall gains significance in Heorot. A place of community known for its art, fun, and drinking really is not just about drinking after all. In fact, it represents deeper themes in the epic Beowulf. The reason for the hall is uncertain, but its impression is unforgettable.