Themes in Beowulf

A detailed Summary of Themes in Beowulf

According to Webster's dictionary a theme is a topic or idea. When applied to literature themes are helpful in the reader's understanding of the characters' world and beliefs. In Beowulf there are many themes that help the reader relate to the characters. The themes of loyalty, envy, revenge, and reputation reflect the values and beliefs of the characters in Beowulf and help to explain the motivations of the various characters.

One of the central themes in this epic is loyalty. Throughout Beowulf's long and illustrious career loyalty is the main motivation behind his actions and the actions of his closest comrades. At the beginning of his career loyalty forces him to assist Hrothgar and the Danes in defeating Grendel as repayment for Hrothgar helping his father years earlier. When Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow was a young man he had killed the leader of another tribe. When the tribe sought revenge Hrothgar protects Beowulf's father and settles the feud by giving treasures to the rival tribe. Thus, Beowulf is motivated by the loyalty he feels toward the king of the Danes and feels that it is only right for him to come to the aid of King Hrothgar by lending a helping hand in defeating the mighty monster, Grendel.

Beowulf's reputation is also at stake when Unferth taunts him at the banquet by bringing up the fact that he lost a swimming race as a youngster, Beowulf gracefully and maturely defends his reputation to the approval of King Hrothgar by telling how he lost the race because of having to battle sea monsters:

Another example of Beowulf wanting to build a fine reputation is by the fact that he wants to fight Grendel alone with no help and no sword or armor. Beowulf understands that Grendel fights without a sword and says that, "I also wish (in order to please my own dear prince Hygealac, and make him proud of me) to lay aside my shining sword and yellow shield, and show that demon a fight to the death, foe against foe, with my grip alone!" (Beowulf, 434-440). This quote shows how Beowulf wants to be seen as a hero in the eyes of his prince not as someone who fights with swords and armor when their opponent does not.

a hard battle, then killed, by a night, a number of sea monsters, totally crushed them---that had courted trouble!---avenging the Geats" (Beowulf 415-424). By doing this he wants to establish his commendable reputation with the king at the beginning of his mission.

Later on in the epic when Beowulf has been king for fifty years, Beowulf fights his last battle against the fiery dragon. In preparing for the battle he asks eleven of the retainers to be there for him in the battle in case he needs them. However, when the battle begins and it looks like Beowulf is going to lose all but one of the men runs away out of fear. That one man, Wiglaf stays at the side of his king out of loyalty and helps defeat the dragon.

By telling this story Beowulf protects his reputation and makes King Hrothgar and the D

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Approximate Word count = 1170
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English