Beowulf1

A detailed Summary of Beowulf1

The society depicted in the poem “Beowulf” depended on two basic characteristics of its people. Loyalty and generosity are the two characteristics that bound this culture together. Throughout the poem, the people must depend on the loyalty and generosity of Beowulf and his warriors to defend them from evil. Society as described in Beowulf, was a very warlike society therefore, if Beowulf and his warriors were not giving of themselves in order to protect their people, the end result might have been drastically different.

In the days of Beowulf the only reason for living was to be a loyal person, even if that meant death. If you were not a loyal person you basically had no reason to live because people would not even recognize you as a normal man. So it seems pretty obvious why most people during this time in society, were very loyal to their society and families. And in being a loyal person, also came giving of yourself.

When the monster Grendel hears of the joy in Heorot and comes down to attack Beowulf’s people the Danes, this is the first time we see loyalty???? When Beowulf hears of what Grendel did to the Heorot and the Danes, he gathers fifteen of his

best men across the sea to help. Some critics argue that because of how Beowulf responds to situations such as this, he is full of pride and not loyalty. William Lawrence argues that since Beowulf is so quick to respond to a challenge and never backs down, that he is way to prideful. Lawrence writes that, although Beowulf is the hero of the poem, his eagerness to take a challenge is a symbol of his downfall, pride. However, Beowulf does what he says he will do and so therefore he has a right to brag to others. In this situation when he goes to fight with Grendel, Beowulf asks that he fight the monster alone. He knows that God will decide the outcome, so relying on that, he is loyal to his people by fighting the deadly monster.

After all that Beowulf has done for the Dane’s, Hrothgar their leader is very grateful. He gives a whole speech to Beowulf about the responsibility of leadership. He does not focus of the victory of Beowulf’s battles, but instead advises him about his future. He tells Beowulf not to fall into pride. This suggests that contrary to what some critics argue; Beowulf has not been over prideful up to this point. I would argue that Beowulf is simply a well rounded, maturing ruler. The battles and arguments that he endures are comparable to the hardships any growing person must endure in order to become a well-rounded human being. However, two things that Beowulf always sets an example of are generosity and loyalty. Without these two characteristics, Beowulf would be an outcast.

Grendel’s mother wants revenge for her sons’ death, and when the Danes hear of this, again they call upon Beowulf. Beowulf naturally acc

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Approximate Word count = 1139
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History