“Further, he is well spoken and patient.” These twin characters suggest Beowulf as a superman who unites both physical and psychological swiftness. The failing of Unferth emphasizes Beowulf’s qualities and strengthens the heroic principles of the Anglo-Saxons. Introduction of the plot that creates a picture of the major events that occurred to the reader in the poem. Heroic Code in Beowulf. As the demon escapes, Beowulf tears its arm off and creeps into the swamp to perish, and the arm torn is dangled in the hall as a sign of victory.” (Heaney, 2000) Overjoyed, the king gifts Beowulf and great feast are held in his honor. “He establishes a hall in which his warriors can gather to get gifts, drink and to listen to narratives from the bards.” (Candon, 2013) However, the noise coming from the hall angers Grendel, a bad demon that resides in the swampy lands near the kingdom of Hrothgar. My heart is firm, / my hands calm: I need no hot/ Words.” (Heaney, 2000 pg. Everyone has someone they look up to, respect, and aspire to be like, whether it be your father, a CEO at work, or Batman. Beowulf is a heroic epic poem written in Old English West Saxon dialect by an unknown author that recounts the tales of the warrior Beowulf in three events of his life. Hoping that his quarrel with the Hathobards can be settled/ by a woman. It is by possessing these qualities that Beowulf is portrayed as the perfect hero. . The dragon-like the above monsters violate the code by destroying the livelihood of the. In addition to observing the heroic code, Wiglaf also demonstrates loyalty and support for his lord. Beowulf proves himself to be the ultimate warrior, not only on the battle field, but also in his incessant fidelity to the warrior code outside of battle. Main character 4. It is Unferth’s duty to be a protector of his own land and he takes Beowulf’s arrival as a direct insult to his honor and reputation. When he attacks the Geats, he burns the farmhouses and their homes prior to going to Beowulf’s hall. “The Anglo-Saxon’s invasion of Great Britain brought many related Germanic languages, which could later change to be old English.” (Delahoyde, 2001) “The poet in Beowulf is constantly at war to characterize Christian thoughts and motives of the characters in the poem. Sir Gawain’s test is not one against evil; it is one that tests his own integrity; he undergoes tests in order to prove his honesty, loyalty and chastity, and his allegiance to the chivalric code. These characters always behave in un-Christian ways.” (Howe, 1989) For example, the element of religious tension is depicted. But as the story of Beowulf unfolds, it becomes clear that while good kings and warriors share some similar traits, such as courage, loyalty, selflessness, and might in battle, the values of a good warrior and a good king do not overlap in other fundamental ways.. What is important to the warriors in Beowulf? Greenblatt, S. (2012). Wiglaf seems to see it this way: “Often when one man follows his own will / many are hurt” (ll.3076-7). This inspiration reveals the Germanic stress of fame as a way of acquiring identity and a great status in the society. Defend your Clan, even with your life. This character is linked to the descendants of Cain in the biblical context. “Beowulf kills her, cuts off Grendel’s head, and brings it to Hrothgar as a show of Grendel’s death.” (Heaney, 2000) “Lastly, he returns to Geatland. “The Beowulf characters portray the Anglo-Saxons and Germanic principles of boldness, loyalty, fearlessness and stoical in reception of fate.” (Candon, 2013), In the poem, King of Denmark, King Hrothgar, delight in a flourishing and fruitful reign. They see their leader, fighting, without weapon, shield, or clothes for that matter, and they are inspired to risk their lives for the honor of defending and fighting by their idol’s side. Man reigning the Kingdom 3. His speeches are full of maxims, declarations of traditional knowledge and gnomes that tend to warn of the impending dangers of arrogance. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. (Heaney, 2000) Overjoyed, the king gifts Beowulf and great feast are held in his honor. Main theme 2. The Heroic Code in Beowulf. Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/medieval/anglo-saxon.html. Posts: 11,334 Threads: 7,323 Joined: May 2020 Reputation: 0 #1. “In the poem, this character, serves as a foil for Beowulf. However, boasting was not a sign of pride, but it portrayed self-confidence that may be tailed with a deed. 441 - 450 of 500 . This character, though not severally mentioned in the poem, his role is important. 3. Like Beowulf, Ibn Fadlan shows many honorable characteristics in The 13th Warrior. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. “She is named “peace weaver” an indication of her marriage to Hrothgar from an outside community to strengthen the ties of peace between the two societies.” (California State University, 2001) Thus, Wealtheow creates a picture of commitment to the unity of the communities an important principle of the code. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle. It shows that Unferth is not a good enough warrior to protect his own people and so in a failing attempt to protect his reputation, he insults Beowulf. On one hand, it expresses the elegiac passing of an extraordinary superman and, on the other hand, it exposes the relationship between mortality and heroism. “Twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar, king/ Of the Danes, sorrow heaped at his door/ By hell-forged hands, His misery leaped/ The seas, was told and sung in all/ Men’s ears.” (Heaney, 2000 P. 28). How is this shown in Beowulf? (Heaney, 2000) Thus, the demon intimidates the people each night slaying them with no struggle of fighting back. As a result, Beowulf is both a study of a particular ethical code, and also a study of the fact that all human ethical codes—all human values—are flawed and impermanent. A bride can bring a little/ Peace, make spears silent for a time,/ But not long.” (Heaney, 2000 p. 86), As discussed above, “Beowulf represents the ideals and qualities of Anglo-Saxon culture; therefore, Grendel conveys the opposite attributes of Beowulf.” (California State University, 2001) This character is a monstrous figure, and his entrance is never precise but spontaneous. The warrior code is demonstrated three times in the epic peom. Beowulf exemplifies several characteristics of the heroic code such as fair fighting, equal weapons, and showing loyalty to the ones he is in debt to and to his people. Add your answer and earn points. The poem, Beowulf’s story and the heroic code of honor outline the narrative in the pre-Anglo-Saxon beliefs. Warfare Mindset Weaponry Comitatus An example of the passing of swords and weapons is when Unferth gives "Hrunting" to Beowulf, and when Beowulf gives his collar to Wiglaf. “Hrothgar is an important image of the heroic code, but his place varies from the young Beowulf’s situation due to his age.” (Howe, 1989) Therefore, Hrothgar may be viewed as a distributor of wisdom to Beowulf always in meditative speeches. Language used 5. Their ship is loaded with many treasures from the thankful Spear-Danes and instead of keeping it for himself, Beowulf offers up his shipload of treasure to his leader, Hygelac. He tries to hurt Beowulf’s reputation by saying that Beowulf once took on a swimming competition for pure vanity, and lost. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. First when Beowulf and him men are in the great Hrothgar's Mead-Hall fighting Grendel. While a warrior should seek out glorious battles, a king is needed by his people, and pursuing excessive battles can be seen as reckless and prideful. He exemplifies the heroic code by . In the case of old warrior culture, this appreciation down the chain is shown through material gifts like battle loot. This human shape is indicated by hanging his cut arm in the hall. Thus, it shall enable the reader to have a background image for easy understanding of the analysis of the poem. Those who are members of Hrothgar’s court are ranked based upon the identities and reputations of their ancestors. After some years, the Geatland king is killed in the battle after his son’s death. Notes on Beowulf. (. He is signified as a hero who fights monsters such as Grendel, its mother and the dragon. They believed in values such as loyalty, nobility, generosity, and honor. The more a warrior fights, the more respect and appreciation he earns. “It is for this intimidation that Danes suffer for many years out of fear, danger and unfortunate deaths at the hands of Grendel.” (Candon, 2013) Ultimately, a warrior, “Beowulf heard of the king’s troubles and motivated by the encounter he sails with a company of men in the kingdom with the aim of conquering Grendel.” (Heaney, 2000) “Hrothgar accepts the proposal and holds a great banquet in honor of Beowulf, but during the celebration, envious Unferth indicts Beowulf of being unfit of his status.” (Heaney, 2000) Beowulf responded with enumerating some of his involvements, and the factions cheer him. Moreover, the boasting of fighting Grendel unarmed lays the foundation for acquiring his repute. This background explains the guiding principles of the code to which the members of the Beowulf community subscribe. Germanic Warrior Code in Beowulf Anglo-saxon society was arranged in tribes, each led by their king. Despite this absurdity, Grendel is also depicted to have a sense of temperament. The warrior's code valued loyalty, strength, and bravery. Otherwise known as the Warrior Code, this is the custom and practice in which there is one central leader who is looked up to by his men but instead of taking advantage of this respect that his men have for him, the leader returns the expression of respects and acknowledges the men below him. One of the codes in Beowulf is the code of blood for blood. Although there are many examples of following of the warrior code in Beowulf, there are just as many examples of the breakdown of. Therefore, as a margin creature, “Grendel is illustrated as a foreign to the heroic code since he has no sense of sorrow and with an ancestry of evil.” (Kirtzinger, 2012). Candon, C. (2013, July 7). It is human instinct to improve yourself and when you have the chance to prove yourself to your inspirational figure, you take full advantage of that situation. This acknowledgement is represented by the sharing of treasures that are looted on the many explorations of the band of warriors. Similarly, the community described in Beowulf is directed by the Anglo-Saxon code, however, in their endeavors various characters uphold while others conflict the code in various degrees. Further Unferth violates the code by slaying his brother. strength, loyalty, courage required for a thane to be considered honorable; strictly defined and could not be transgressed lightly; ALL MORAL DECISIONS WERE BASED ON THIS CODE; Beowulf learns from Hrothgar's example as he grows from thane to king. So young men build/ the future, wisely open-handed in peace, / Protected in war; so warriors earn/ their fame, and wealth is shaped with a sword.” (Heaney, 2000 P. 24) Therefore, Beowulf depicted this code. King Beowulf in his old age still shows traits of his youthful characters of brevity, strength and well-spoken. “In this light, the violence on him may be considered unequal to the wrongs he does for the community.” (California State University, 2001) The dragon protects the treasures, and he states that he established a hollow mound in which he hid all the riches of his people. prezi.com. Despite these human emotions, she remains a monster by demonstrating great strength and violence to Beowulf. Unfortunately, years later when Beowulf really needs help, his warriors let him down, violating the code of comitatus. During the gory grappling fight between Beowulf and the terrifying demon, Grendel, Beowulf’s men do not run or hide from the monster even after they witness the monster eat a soldier, limb by limb. Beowulf and his warriors come to fight the dragon, but Beowulf tells his men that he will fight the dragon alone and that they should wait on the barrow. Dorothy Whitelock emphasises the personal, rather than tribal loyalty that governed the relationship of the thane to his lord, and details the transactions involved in pledging such a loyalty. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark. The actions of Grendel are horrific and have an appetite for human flesh for he does not just kill, but enjoys killing. In return, the king was generous to these followers. Despite these human emotions, she remains a monster by demonstrating great strength and violence to Beowulf. They were great warriors who won fierce victories and brought home the spoils of war to their king or dryhten. Elegies Many Old English lyrics are classified as elegies, poems that mourn a death or another great loss. “She is named “peace weaver” an indication of her marriage to Hrothgar from an outside community to strengthen the ties of peace between the two societies.” (California State University, 2001) Thus, Wealtheow creates a picture of commitment to the unity of the communities an important principle of the code. Beowulf is unable to defeat Grendel’s mother as he planned—with Hrunting, the named heirloom sword that had won many heroic victories without a defeat prior to this battle. The men "defend their lord's life" even though their swords are unable to cut Grendel's thick skin, and their death could be upon them. Beowulf has all the characteristics of a warrior and is still noted as being "The mildest of men and the gentlest, kindest to his people, and most eager for fame" (Beowulf, 52). The Anglo-Saxon Cultural Truths In Beowulf.