Gift-Giving In Beowulf

In the epic poem Beowulf, the Heroic or Warrior Code is a way of life for many of the people during the time in which the story takes place. One aspect of this code is rewarding warriors for heroic acts. The status of gold and gift-giving in the poem is something that is earned and not just given; it signifies thankfulness the king, or gift-giver, has for the warriors loyalty to him and his people. The act of gift-giving is done by kings, who are sometimes described as “ring-giver[s]” (line 608) and owners of “treasure-hoard[s]” (line 1196). 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.

The story of Hermod is told in lines 899 to 913. Hermod was a very greedy and prideful king who “shared out no treasure, showed his soldiers no road to riches and fame” and “suffered horribly for his sins” (lines 1719-1720, 1723). Hrothgar used this story in order to show Beowulf that when he should become king, to remain grateful for his men and to not keep his treasures to himself. Beowulf does take Hrothgar’s advice and rewards his people later in the poem when he is king of Geatland. In fact, Beowulf did not even keep the treasures he earned in Denmark, but gave them to his king and queen to show loyalty to them and thank them for their support in