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Beowulf's Heroic Code Essay

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In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the Heroic Code is proven most prominent to determine how the characters act. The heroic code, qualities and behaviors mostly are attributed to Beowulf, consists of a multitude of different traits, but revenge, glory, and endurance control the actions of the characters the most. Glory is linked to the idea of the actions of someone being so great and courageous that that person becomes immortalized in the minds of the people in his or her life. “So now, Beowulf, I adopt you in my heart as a dear son. Nourish and maintain this new connection, you noblest of men … you have made yourself immortal in by your glorious actions” (945-948, 953-954). Hrothgar acknowledges Beowulf for his great exploits of significant strength and bravery by killing Grendel. Hrothgar’s including of “immortal” is very important to …show more content…

Hrothgar now, king of the Geats, recognizes Beowulf as being immortalized by his actions. By a king acknowledging Beowulf, it validates the statement of remembrance even more. Glory is also identified as the acknowledgement or praise one receives after his or her feats of valor. “Take your place, then, with pride and pleasure and move to the feast. To-morrow morning our treasure will be shared and showered upon you” (1782-1784). After great accomplishments, the rewards and praise received is similar to the measurement of how much people recognize what someone has done. In this case, Beowulf returns from his quest of defeating Grendel’s mother, after defeating Grendel. Because of these acts Beowulf is showered with commendation and becomes etched into the hearts of the citizens for ridding them of a great danger. Beowulf’s funeral also displays the effect he had on the people around

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Beloved Beowulf…” Pg81, King Hrothgar to Beowulf These two quotes are essential to the story of Beowulf, as it describes Beowulf’s sincere character, his valor and loyalty to those he meets. The quotes above carry themselves throughout the story, as our protagonist proves again and again that his good nature, and incorruptible character is faithful to the end. Beowulf retained that personality, while still remaining a noble warrior in the battlefield, slaying hundreds upon hundreds of those who threaten his homeland. And when the dragon awoke from his slumber among riches, and terrorized people of Beowulf’s land with torrents of dragon fire, Beowulf took it upon himself to end the dragon where it stood, instead of having further

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Characters such as Thor, Harry Potter, and Katniss Everdeen are considered as prime examples of heroism. As for the story of Beowulf,

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In the minutes before his death, he even says “I want to examine that ancient gold, gaze my fill on those garnered jewels; my going will be easier for having seen the treasure” (185). He further demands that a barrow is constructed in his honor and named after him. These actions do not align with the good ideals he stood for and represented earlier in the poem; rather they seem to oppose them. However, despite this major change in Beowulf, one thing stays the same. The writer and the Geats still talk about Beowulf respectfully and as a hero because of the commendable things he had done in the past.

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The way Beowulf chooses to describe the Danish king is very notable; the words he use have a very deliberate effect on one’s idea of Hrothgar as a leader. Interestingly, Beowulf describes Hrothgar as a “shelterer of warriors”, emphasizing this protective, almost nurturing side of him rather than his power or his wealth (185). The fact that this is what he chooses to point out in his praising of Hrothgar seems to show how important this aspect of leadership is to him, and presumably to the Danes as well. It shows that despite the fact that ideas such as strength and skill are often associated with warriors such as the Anglo-Saxons, they are not the only important idea in this kind of society. Furthermore, despite the fact that Hrothgar is the king of the Danes, Beowulf calls him his “people’s loved friend” (185).

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As we mourn the loss of a king whom lost his life to protect others. He always was brave and he never changed. His accomplishments will always be remembered. Beowulf was a people’s person, he cared about every one and put himself last. The Danes and Geats will never forget the heroism of Beowulf.

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From all this, we know that the perception of a hero from Beowulf’s time differs from our perception today. As we feel that the intentions define a hero while in Beowulf’s time the reputation and accomplishments are what makes a

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Loyalty, one of the main themes throughout Beowulf, is an important aspect of the Germanic culture. Loyalty in the Heroic Code is a bond between the king and his warriors; loyalty to the king is first above all, even family in this text. If the warriors lack the loyalty for their king, the urge to protect their king and tribe is diminished. Beowulf’s king, Hygelac, gave him permission to help the Danish king and his people. Beowulf exerts his loyalty to Hrothgar by protecting the king’s people, and killing Grendel.

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Beowulf fought with great bravery and courage to protect others. He believed that the only way to immortality was to become historic. “But you have made yourself immortal by your glorious action." (Beowulf 246). Beowulf’s actions of killing Grendel and fighting his mother were events that will leave an everlasting impression.

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Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good

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Additionally, in Germanic societies, such as the one in which Beowulf takes place, there were heroic codes which defined how a noble person should act. It is composed of strength, courage and honor, these codes also included loyalty, generosity, and hospitality. The heroic code was of great importance in warrior societies. In Anglo-Saxon culture and literature, to be a hero was to be a warrior, which signifies the importance of the Heroic code (Stitt). Many examples can be seen with Beowulf, just as said in the book “Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked."

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As he ages, Beowulf defends his people with the same intent as the former king and displays the same heroism that is apparent in the United States military. Heorot, a dining hall that provides Hrothgar’s people place

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Moreover, through Beowulf, the reader has the ability to take some of their values and apply them to their life, and the overall human condition. These values and traits include, Honor, Bravery, and Loyalty, which considering their time they have become some of the most valuable traits in a person, and even a valiant warrior. Similarly, Beowulf, Hrothgar, Wiglaf, and various others demonstrate honor throughout this epic. Honor, described as respect and esteem, seen through Anglo-Saxons belief and the human condition. In the text the Geats and the Danes “honor” Beowulf after his last battle, by following his wishes of being cremated and placed with the treasures of the dragon, in a large burial tower by the sea, which was supposed to be seen by all voyagers.

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There are several instances in the poem in which the Danish king Hrothgar rewards Beowulf and his fellow Geats, for their heroism in defeat Grendel and Grendel’s mother. The list of rewards in which Beowulf receives is quite long and includes items, such as: ancient armor and weapons, horses, and jewelry, etc. These gifts show how truly thankful Hrothgar is for Beowulf coming and saving his people. In other words, the greater the deed, the bigger the reward.

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Beowulf had done the unthinkable—he had killed a demon that no warrior of Denmark could have done. This opened several new doors for Beowulf, including one that promised of honor, glory, and riches. Beowulf had achieved his goal of fame, a goal which had created a poem of a hero that birthed and shaped a story to be told even years later. Furthermore, Beowulf’s fame was set in stone by Hrothgar, the king who owed Beowulf his everything, including his thanks. After giving Beowulf the speech to further glorify his prominence, Hrothgar declares, “Glory is now yours/

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Being remembered, in death, is a very immense part of the Anglo-Saxon code, and with that, Beowulf seemed to believe that defeating Grendel’s mother would grant him more fame than he had previously received. As explicated in the epic, “So fame comes to the men who mean to win it and care about nothing else!” (Lines 507-509) Beowulf cared about his name, and with that, he knew it was in him to fight for that name and to make it heard through his life and generations afterward. After understanding what it means to be truly glorified, and what it means to be remembered, years after one’s death with fame, one can recognize the reasoning behind Beowulf’s actions.

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