Examples Of Leadership In Beowulf

Beowulf, written in the Anglo-Saxon period England between 700 and 1000 A.D, is a poem about a heroic warrior, Beowulf. Beowulf shows his leadership in many different ways throughout the poem. Beowulf’s leadership is that of a hero. He comes into the poem with a purpose, which is very evident to the reader. He is relied on by the people of Geatland for protection throughout the poem. Beowulf’s leadership qualities are courageous, brave, and honorable and we see many times how he is selfless. Beowulf also relies on God as his ultimate protector, exemplifying the Christian values of the society of Beowulf’s author (who is still unknown). One of the times when leadership is exemplified in Beowulf is when Beowulf makes the decision to fights and defeats the dragon, Grendel. For fighting this battle, and for the success of the defeat, Hrothgar gives Beowulf riches which he then brings back to his homeland. He gives these riches to the king of his own land when he returns home. This shows Beowulf’s generosity and how his leadership skills don’t just consist of

Machiavelli describes to us that a successful prince needs to have the two compelling qualities: that of a lion a lion and a fox. In chapter 18, Machiavelli says “… One needs to be a fox to recognize snares and a lion to recognize the wolves” (Machiavelli, 69). A prince must be smart like a fox but have the strength of a lion. This shows the value of dealing with situations (realism) as they come. Furthermore, when Machiavelli describes the qualities of a king, he implies that a prince should have the qualities and morals that are honest, but also be able to turn in a situation and protect the state. This also exemplifies the separation of religion and state in the letter as we are told a prince needs to exemplify the qualities required from situation to