Over the course of the poem, Beowulf transitions from a heroic warrior to a noble king. The last lines of the epic, "kindest to kinfolk yet keenest for fame" undoubtedly refers to the transitions of roles the main character undergoes, as well as the differing values and responsibilities accompanying each role. Time and again in the poem the major themes of what makes a good king and what makes a good hero are presented. As both a warrior and a king, Beowulf must reconcile the opposing values and duties of each position in society. This essay seeks to show that the final line of the epic relates to the whole poem in terms of the tension between the roles of hero and king.
In order to explain how the final lines relate to the tension of trying to reconcile the positions of hero and king, it is best to first examine the notions of hero and king. The notion of king can be summed up as, "kindest to kinfolk." In Beowulf, the ideal example of a king is Hrothgar. The first mention of Hrothgar describes him as having, "swiftness for battle and staunchness in strife,/ so friends and kinfolk followed him freely" (lines 59-60). This refers not only to the requirement that a king be an able-bodied, charismatic chieftain, but also someone who is a protector of his people, as Hrothgar is later called, "shelter of shield-bearers, friend to your folk" (line 383).
."..I shall award you whatever you wish/ that is mine to command" (lines 840-841). The generosity of a king is central to the king/warrior relationship; thus, another aspect of a good king is rewarding the loyal service of a thane, as Hrothgar does for Beowulf. Not only must a king provide his people with protection and sanctuary (the building of Heorot, accepting Beowulf...
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...r/ as Franks and Frisians learn how the king/ has fallen in combat" (lines 2563-2565) and "Full of this feud, this festering hatred,/ the Swedes, I am certain, will swiftly beset us,/ as soon as they learn our lord lies lifeless" (lines 2641-2643).
If old king Beowulf had truly sought to serve the needs of his people, rather than his own needs there would be no compelling story to tell. It is vital and logical that there exists a tension when trying to reconcile two vastly different roles. Quite appropriately, it makes Beowulf a more interesting character to relate to. Many readers experience the same tension in their own lives trying to reconcile the many opposing facets of their character. Though just like Beowulf, who was both "kindest to kinfolk yet keenest for fame" many readers must come to terms with a singular quality which overwhelms all else.
In the length of the poem, Beowulf goes from abandoned child to gallant warrior to King. This transformation, expressed in the tone and content of the poem, shows the importance of the relationship between lord and thane and expresses the ultimate value of that connection. From the difference in battle scenes to Beowulf’s speeches, it is clear that he has gone from a somewhat self-loving hero to a selfless king. Within this change he also goes from serving a lord to becoming a lord, and in that way the poem shows us the importance of both sides of the relationship.
In Beowulf, the essence left behind by a true hero is extremely important. In epics such as this one, leaders tend to have the determination and boldness of a hero. On the other hand, the main character, Beowulf, does not only display these certain traits. In this heroic poem, respect and trust come naturally. Honor and integrity are present throughout the poem. There are many moments in Beowulf that manifest the many traits that a person should have. This proves how important these attributes are to the characters and the Anglo-Saxon society. Although Beowulf has no known author, it embodies many of the beliefs and morals of the early Germanic society. The author of this epic poem uses many approaches in order to demonstrate that respect and trust are fundamental characteristics of a leader and hero.
Inspired by the reward of glory, Beowulf travels to the land of the Geats, and murders their main enemy, Grendel. The fight is a glorious one; one that truly showcases Beowulf’s capacity as a warrior. During this fight, Beowulf disposes of Grendel with ease, grabbing him with “handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man”, causing him to become “desperate to flee ”(Heaney 9). The adamant diction used to describe Beowulf’s death hold on Grendel, juxtaposed with the weakness of Grendel’s reaction, resorting to mere desperation, emphasizes his physical prowess. Such a display of strength allows Beowulf to return home a hero. The Geats thank him with gold and other material possessions, although Beowulf’s most precious prize is the recognition he receives. Word of his legend spreads far, and Beowulf is subsequently rewarded with the role of king of the Danes. As a result of his previous experiences, “he ruled [his kingdom] well for fifty winters”(Heaney 3). By describing his rule with such favorable diction as “well”, the narrator maintains that Beowulf’s performance as king was generally positive. Thus, Beowulf’s accomplishments as king are directly correlated to his accomplishments in combat. Because he was able triumph in his personal battles, particularly with Grendel, Beowulf succeeds as the leader of his
Today Beowulf can be relevant in society. A good leader can be further seen in a political process. Throughout the poem, similarities between personal relationships then and now are evident. Disloyalty within a family, murder caused by jealousy, and marriage for the wrong reasons are all themes in Beowulf. Today’s shows like soap operas reveal that little has changed. We live in a technology advanced world with sophisticated machinery but yet human nature has remained the same unchanged. Corruption, greed, and jealousy exist today as does courage, bravery, and
Beowulf risks his life for his people. He was the apitamy of great kings and was dedicated to his country and people. His promise to the people and his devotion, generosity and kindness are the reasons he is Hrothgar’s ideal leader.
Beowulf was always being generous in every situation. He would accept a challenge even if he knew it might take his life. One of the most amazing ways to show generosity and selflessness is in sacrifice. A great example of this is when the warrior says, “when we crossed the sea, my comrades And I, I already knew that all My purpose was this: to win the good will Of your people or die in battle,” (364-367). In this statement Beowulf is saying that he is willing to lay down his own life if it means he might help save the Anglo-Saxon people. Beowulf generosity testifies again of his heroic nature and epic hero
...h-day”. While Beowulf could not resist the calling of the riches, his intentions were good. Protector of his people for fifty years, he is remembered as a brave and just king.
The character of Beowulf stands as a hero to the ancient Danes because of his actions. He is constantly being cited as a "war-chief" and a "gold-giver" (61). Beowulf has achieved fame through what he has done with his own hands. His identity as a leader is based upon the Danish society’s emphasis on personal action, as opposed to the delegation of responsibility through conscious thought. It is this very sense which spurs Beowulf to fight the dragon: "In my youth I engaged in many wars. Old guardian of the people, I shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame, if the evil-doer will come to me..." (59). Beowulf derives his power from a strong link to the past. Without his history of glorious deeds, he would see himself bereft of the very power which qualifies him to be a good King. Beowulf’s bravery never comes in to question, he does meet every challenge head-on, with deadly attention. The society which labels Beowulf as a legendary hero, recognizes his actions and his bravery as a integral part of his definition as a hero. Without the society to support th...
Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, undoubtedly yearns for what is best for his people. Having much experience with poor fortune and atrocity, Hrothgar is most necessary for assisting Beowulf in his development as a hero. His old age and familiarity with the pros and cons of leadership and power give him much wisdom, which he then passes on to Beowulf. Hrothgar is deeply affected by Grendel’s killing sprees, but is too old and weak to fight on his own. However, “His misery leaped the seas, was told and sung in all men’s ears: How Grendel’s hatred began” (lines 64-66). The people of Herot are aware of Hrothgar’s hatred for Grendel and that he is troubled by all Grendel has done. Given that Hrothgar is a powerful, respected leader, he is able to facilitate the conquering of Grendel although he is physically unable to fight himself. Hrothgar’s strong leadership and the respect his men have for him is exceedingly evident. “In Herot, when the night hid him, he never dared to touch King Hrothgar’s glorious throne, protected by God” (lines 82-84). The referral to Hrothgar’s throne as “glorious” and “protected by god” provides evidence that he is very well-respected, and it can be concluded that he has fairly earned this respect. Hrothgar’s dedicati...
Early in the poem, Beowulf hears accounts of Grendel’s destruction of Herot, Hrothgar’s majestic mead hall. Knowing his strength and military prowess, Beowulf immediately devises a plan, recruits men, and orders boats, thrusting himself into a battle that was not necessarily his to fight. Beowulf felt obligated to end Grendel’s reign of terror. Though he knew the death of Grendel would bring him fame and honor, the idealized Beowulf was able to set aside personal ambition in order to end the suffering of the Danes. Shortly after slaying Grendel, Beowulf again displays an awareness of duty when Grendel’s mother extracts revenge upon Herot, killing one of Hrothgar’s best men, Aeshere. Instead of leaving Herot in a state of frenzy, Beowulf comes to King Hrothgar’s side, pledging allegiance and service. Bolstering the defeated king’s moral, Beowulf boldly addresses the older King Hrothgar saying, “So arise, my lord, and let us immediately set forth on the trail of this troll-dam. I guarantee you: she will not get away, not to dens under ground nor upland groves nor the ocean floor. She’ll have nowhere to fall to. Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I expect you to be.” Beowulf could not set aside his duty and obligation, though he knew full well the suffering and pain that might result from his actions. Thus, Beowulf is a portrait of
In conclusion, although Beowulf possessed many heroic qualities he would not be considered a hero in today’s world. A hero varies from culture to culture. The Anglo-Saxon appreciated different things in a person that what do not we appreciate today. Many things have changed a lot with time, the requisites for being considered a hero have also changed. Today we do not like to solve problems with war. Pride and honor are not as important as the willingness one has to help others. Beowulf is not feeling that contact with people he doesn’t identify with them because he believes himself better, a part of a hero´s cycle is to be identified with the community. To be part
Acts of generosity can be materialistic items such as gold and armor, or it can be things you cannot see. Kind and boastful words are an example of such generosity, or in other words “right for the people” (l701). Hrothgar is the perfect balance of both types of generosity. He is very wealthy in gold, for he has been ruling for a long time. He is also wealthy with his words, his experience of being king has given him the wisdom he needs to pass down to others. Boasting of one’s self or someone else is a highly respected thing to do because it establishes an identity. People love to boast about themselves, so when someone else boasts about you, it is one of the highest compliments you can receive. Establishing an identity in the Anglo-Saxon’s time is something that never goes away. For example, when Hrothgar boasts of Beowulf he says, “My friend Beowulf,/ your glory is exalted throughout the world,/ over every people” (1703-1704). Meaning that not if, but when Beowulf becomes king, he will be unstoppable because everyone has heard how amazing and incredible he is. When Beowulf is visiting the Danes, in the short amount of time he has already gained the respect of everybody there. Even Unferth, who was enraged at the sight of Beowulf and all of his men, came around to respect Beowulf. Unferth even gave Beowulf his sword in the battle of Grendel’s mother. Since armor, swords, and gold were highly respected and correlated with
Beowulf is an epic poem telling the story of Beowulf, a legendary Geatish hero who later becomes king in the aforementioned epic poem. While the story in and of itself is quite interesting, for the purpose of this paper it is important to look at the character more so then his deeds, or rather why he did what he did.
In Beowulf, an epic poems, the positive effect of the three themes: loyalty, generosity, and reputation are most strongly expressed. One of the central
Beowulf is an epic poem that, above all, gives the reader an idea of a time long past; a time when the most important values were courage and integrity. The only factors that could bestow shower fame upon a person were heroic deeds and family lineage. Beowulf, as the paradigm of pagan heroes, exhibited his desire to amass fame and fortune; the only way to do so was to avenge the death of others. This theme of retribution that is ever present throughout the poem seems to color the identities of its characters.