Characteristics Of Leadership In Beowulf

A leader is a type of person that everyone can look up to, who will be there when someone needs help, and someone that everyone desires to be. Although every leader is different in some aspects, there are common characteristics that leaders distribute. Among the various characteristics the characters hold in Beowulf, a few great qualities illuminate through, these being generosity, bravery, and most of all loyalty. Beowulf and Hrothgar portray to be a strong leader through the story exerting these qualities. A leader should have a sense of bravery to take risks and actions. In “Leadership lessons from Beowulf” it states, “Beowulf shows up, boasting he can destroy Grendel with his bare hands” (Post). Grendel's a very hard person to defeat,

The motivation for Beowulf’s actions is loyalty, starting with his choice to come to a new country. The article says, “Geatish warriors led by Beowulf arrives at the homeland of the Danes to rid that country of Grendel” (Loughman). Beowulf’s father possessed a loyal relationship with Hrothgar. Beowulf’s father once needed aid in a feud and Hrothgar came to his assistance. He would have never left his country if he was not compelled to do so on the behalf of their relationship to show he is loyal till the end. According to “Hrothgar’s Sermon”, “Beowulf, my friend, your fame has gone far and wide, you are known everywhere” (McArthur). Beowulf's reasoning for coming to the land is not fame, he came to keep his father's promise, and that is what every heroic leader should do. Knowing you have a loyal leader gives you more courage to do what they believe is the right choice. According to Loughman, “His comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives” (Loughman). Beowulf never let his army down, he gave them assurance by coming to their land and having the courage that they will defeat