One To Remember
Mercenaries and assassins kill people for money and reward. Pirates raid ships and sail to the farthest islands hoping that a forgotten treasure exist. Warriors travel great distances and fight powerful monsters for great treasures. Beowulf and his companions travel to Denmark for hopes of returning with large amounts of treasure and pride. Hrothgar's sermon recognizes the vices and virtues of past and present kings. If Beowulf becomes king and follows what Hrothgar does and says, then in Hrothgar's eyes, Beowulf is a great leader. In Hrothgar's eyes, Beowulf succeeds by mimicking Hrothgar policies, fathering the Geats, and earning the respect of followers.There are many links in Beowulf that connects the three parts into one poem. One link is the theme of the old king and the young warrior. Beowulf and Hrothgar are connected to each other in that way. Beowulf uses Hrothgar as a model king to depict what great kings are like. Beowulf exemplifies similar characteristics of a great king that he picks up from Hrothgar. First, Beowulf always fights alongside his fellow warrior and "stood before them all" (Beowulf, 2497). This is mentioned while Beowulf explains a battle that he took pa
rt in with his companions. Hrothgar also "rode before his men to the rush of swordswings- / he was always in front when they fell around him" (B, 1041-42). Beowulf is mimicking a great leader to become one himself. Hrothgar is depicted as a great leader and following in the footsteps of a great leader means that you will be one too. Beowulf follows these footsteps by fighting in front of everyone else. In Hrothgar's kingdom, Hrothgar opened a grand meadhall to spread his treasures among his people. Beowulf also demonstrates this characteristic of sharing wealth in his dying words, "for such gold and gemstones / that I now may leave to my beloved Geatfolk" (B, 2796-97). Even as Beowulf dies, he thinks about his people before himself. Hrothgar builds a grand meadhall to show off his treasure but also shares with his people. The act of sharing wealth is exactly what Hrothgar does and preaches to Beowulf. In accordance with Hrothgar, Beowulf does the same to become a great king. The act that Beowulf commits to mimic Hrothgar's style of ruling creates a sense of deja vu. Beowulf walks the steps so closely that he becomes a great leader like Hrothgar was. The praising at the end of the book symbolizes the respect that Beowulf earns during his reign as king of Geats. In the mind of the Geatfolks, Beowulf represents many worthy qualities. In the tone that Beowulf is talked about, it seems the Geatfolks love Beowulf. The Geatfolks relate to Beowulf as a friend, a parent, a warrior, and a leader. They refer to Beowulf as the "ablest of all world-kings." This reference proclaims Beowulf to the greatest king or man alive in their eyes. This complement is the grandest of all royalty. Your people are worshipping you because you are the greatest. The respect that they are giving Beowulf characterizes the amount of respect that he has earned. Also, when they refer to Beowulf as the "mildest of men and most compassionate," is characterizes his presence within their lives. Beowulf intertwines himself within the lives of his people. Those two complements cannot be won with unjustly rule and torment, b
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Approximate Word count = 1444
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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