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Hrothgar Characters In Beowulf

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Hrothgar and the Chamber of Christians As Albus Dumbledore once said, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Choices play a large role in the epic poem Beowulf, especially when it comes to the King of the Danes, Hrothgar. Dumbledore, from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, and Hrothgar have more than just choices in common. They both represent an archetypal father figure, but each with fatal flaws of their own. Hrothgar, King of the Danes, faithfully served his people. He did everything he could to protect his people from the terrifying Son of Cain, Grendel, but was unsuccessful (Fellows 2). He was hopeless until a determined hero, Beowulf, came along and defeated the cruel monster. Hrothgar was so grateful, he offered to love Beowulf as his own, “Now, Beowulf, thee, / of …show more content…

They are not just father figures, but father figures to heros. Both Harry and Beowulf defeated great evils. In addition, Hrothgar and Dumbledore also share fatal flaws that will ultimately end in their failure: Hrothgar is Pagan and cannot protect his people, while Dumbledore could not keep himself alive while keeping up the double-agent act. Both characters are heroes in their own way, but in the end fail in one way or another. However, through their own good deeds and the deeds of their adoptive sons, everything works out in the end. All of the evil is banished, even though neither Hrothgar nor Dumbledore are around when this happens; Dumbledore is killed by his trusting nature while Hrothgar passes on from old age before Beowulf’s quest is finished. Heroic father figures can be seen throughout literature, anywhere one looks. The trick is finding someone real, who has flaws and makes mistakes, but still cares for their “son.” Dumbledore and Hrothgar both represent this unique character, and are both heroes in their

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423 Words | 2 Pages

During this account, the narrator shows that Hrothgar puts trust in Beowulf based on past experiences with his father, and accepts his offer to defend Heorot. III. Beowulf defends his honor After the king accepts Beowulf’s offer to defend his kingdom, he invites him to a feast in his honor. At the feast, a Dane named Unferth, was jealous of the king’s admiration of Beowulf and begins to insult him.

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469 Words | 2 Pages

Beowulf has been known for who his father is. Everywhere he goes the first thing he tells people is who his father is and what his father has accomplished. “My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho.” (pg. 46).

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1250 Words | 5 Pages

The story tells of many characters who faced the same circumstances as Beowulf, yet failed to respond in a similar and valiant effort, like Beowulf. For example, when facing the dragon nearly all of his hand picked soldiers coward in fear. Beowulf then showed humility by turning down his first offer to be king. When Hrothgar died, he offered Beowulf the throne; however, he refused, which allowed the rightful heir, Hrothgar’s son to be placed into power. This decision exemplifies the value he placed on ethics and honor.

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282 Words | 2 Pages

Close Reading #1 Hrothgar tells his men that today should be a day of mourning because their friend, soul mate, and true mentor is dead. He was one of the few men that he trusted; he vows to kill Grendel’s mother in Aescheres’ name. He now acknowledges that this is the consequence of killing Grendel. The king tells Beowulf that he would give him everything that he can imagine (land and treasure), if he were to kill Grendel’s mother. He talks about Grendel’s ancestry in disgust; he states that his family is hidden within ghosts and demons and they dwell within the trenches of the lake.

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603 Words | 3 Pages

The third and final evil Beowulf must face is the dragon. At this point in the poem, Beowulf has been the “ring-giver” or king for half a century (Beowulf 2207). The role of a king in Germanic times included rewarding warriors with treasure captured in battle; however, the dragon keeps his treasure to himself. This greediness is in direct opposition to the qualities of a good king, and the dragon becomes the representation of selfishness and destruction. Beowulf takes on the role of a warrior once again, and defeats the dragon.

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338 Words | 2 Pages

As Beowulf has a bond to Hrothgar because of his relationship to his father Ecgtheow, he chooses to journey to her realm which is under gloomy monster-infested waters and face her. Beowulf is a warrior who is bold, brave, and unafraid of challenges. In this grueling battle Beowulf comes close to perishing, as his sword Hrunting fails him. However he finds an ancient sword in the cave and uses it to kill her. He was setback by the loss of the sword but he prevailed and defeated the troll-dam.

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589 Words | 3 Pages

The epic poem Beowulf was a story told in the anglo saxon time period. A time when people believed in dragons, monsters, and curses. Many stories told by people of this time talked about the good and evil forces there are in the world and what happens when they collide in battle. The hero in this story has sailed from his home to fight this evil being named Grendel, a monster that has become a nuisance in Herot.

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698 Words | 3 Pages

”(71, 1060) This shows what Beowulf has done to be a leader of his people. Beowulf is a strong leader to the Geats, he is brave and successful. However his total opposite Hrothgar shows different forms of

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Beowulf reflects the traits that conformed to their masculine norms . While sorrowful Hrothgar laments the deaths caused by Grendel’s mother, Beowulf urges him to “not grieve” and to “avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning” (1384-5). However, earlier the epic alluded to a story about a princess named Hildeburh who after losing her husband, child, and brother, was “waylaid by grief” (1081). There is a definite contrast between how men and women are expected to confront loss- according to the patriarchal values, men avenge and women weep. Therefore, Beowulf is even more of an ideal masculine hero because he adheres the the Anglo-Saxon gender roles.

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Hrothgar exemplifies his confidence and caring attitude toward Beowulf as he includes a reference to God, with “save us once more,” to establish a sense of motivation and confidence for his superior qualities. Grendel’s lair contains devilish aspects, an influx of death, dark coloration, and an absence of wisdom. Hrothgar speech serves as a warning to Beowulf that he must develop a sense of humbleness, wit, and resilience if wants to defeat Grendel’s

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532 Words | 3 Pages

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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1135 Words | 5 Pages

He did carry the ways of a Anglo-Saxon which were honesty, kindness,loyalty, and honor. But all of that was soon covered up with his prideful thinking. Beowulf came to the aid of the king Hrothgar and his people willingly, knowing he could solve the king’s problem. Beowulf succeed in killing the monster getting fame , glory, and riches. Although Beowulf brought along his mighty warriors he persisted that they stay and watch him defeat the monster named “Grendel’’ all alone.

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1372 Words | 6 Pages

In terms of subjectivity, Beowulf has human flaws that can be said to have led to his downfall, but he is also the perfect hero who exhibits only the proper values of an Anglo-Saxon warrior. The scop who wrote this story depicted Beowulf in only a positive intended light, as this epic is meant to be the warrior?s story retold, highlighting their great feats and accomplishments. This being said, a hero to the Anglo-Saxons only had faults if they were unfaithful to their people or greedy, and Beowulf displays none of these qualities. Beowulf only acts in accordance to what he feels would be best for his people, his altruism exceeding those before him, and setting a precedent that no other could reach. While it is possible to interpret Beowulf as a hero with faults, he was not originally meant to be depicted that way.

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1033 Words | 5 Pages

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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353 Words | 2 Pages

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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