Celebrated civil rights leader Malcolm X once said, “Sometimes you have to pick the gun up to put the gun down.” This quote reflects the way many people throughout time have regarded violence; some people believe that in order to attain a peaceful society, violence must be used. For this reason, Human history has always been riddled with brutality, from the Roman conquests to the Syrian civil wars of today, and societies have developed different ways to deal with the constant conflict in life. Some communities preach peace while others opt for a more warlike approach. In the epic poem Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, the ancient Norse society is depicted as giving value to an alert king, glory and honor, and courageous warriors, all of which stems from a desire to stay alive in a violent era. The Norse society placed a strong emphasis on the alertness and readiness of a king. Hrothgar gives Beuowulf advice on how to be a good king, and recalls his own mistake in being unprepared for Grendel, saying, “Just …show more content…
After Beowulf’s army abandons him in his time of need against the dragon, Wiglaf addresses them, stating, “Everyone of you… our whole nation will be dispossessed, once princes from beyond get tidings of how you turned and fled and disgraced yourselves. A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame” (Heaney 195). Beowulf’s people prize the integrity and courage of a warrior above all else because it is the only way to keep a society safe and stable against enemies. Wiglaf’s accusations show that not only will the warriors lose respect and pay the price for their cowardice, but so will the entire kingdom, as foreign invaders will prey on their weakness. In the environment of constant war and fighting, the failure of a warrior put the whole community in danger, explaining why one of the core values of this society is the honor and courage of a