Wealth plays a significant role in Beowulf, as it represents the embodiment of glory in positive and negative ways after wealth has been acquired. Beowulf personifies glory in a positive aspect after he wins the battles against Grendel and his mother. King Hrothgar tells Beowulf that “There’ll be nothing you’ll want for,/no worldly goods that won’t be yours” (lines 948-949). Beowulf earns glory after he defeats the much feared, demon named Grendel. As a result of the Beowulf’s victory, King Hrothgar awards Beowulf with treasure and tells him that he can have anything he wishes. The offer of endless amount of wealth gives Beowulf the feeling of glory, which is a strongly desired Anglo-Saxon heroic value. Next, Beowulf personifies a negative aspect of glory after he wins the treasure from defeating the dragon. …show more content…
Beowulf feels glorified that he has beaten the dragon and thus won the treasure for his people. The treasure allows Beowulf to feel accomplished and purposeful. However, Beowulf is left with a feeling of emptiness because although the treasure has brought him glory it has also brought him death. Beowulf questions if fighting the dragon was really worth giving up his life. In addition, it is significant that these were Beowulf’s last words because even though he is dying, he still needs to feel the glory and honor of his accomplishment. Beowulf exemplifies negative and positive aspects of glory after he wins the