was beowulf a good leader essay

The Leadership of Beowulf

Beowulf is an epic poem that tells the story of a great warrior who defeats several monsters and goes on to become the king of his people. The poem highlights Beowulf’s heroic deeds and showcases his leadership qualities. Beowulf is a strong and brave leader who is always willing to put himself in harm’s way to protect his people. He is also a wise leader who knows when to use force and when to use diplomacy. Beowulf’s leadership qualities make him a great leader and an inspiration to others.

The qualities of a good leader that were outlined in Hrothgar’s speech are seen in Beowulf. The speech, which discusses the vices and virtues of great political leaders, contains many of the same characteristics that Beowulf exemplifies. His boastfulness, generosity, and compassion are proof that he is a capable leader who cares for his people. Although his traits may not be the ideal ones for a regular person, they display admirable leadership abilities.

Beowulf is a great leader who puts his people before himself and provides them with the protection they need. He also possesses the strength and courage to fight for what is right, even if it means putting his own life at risk. Beowulf is a true leader in every sense of the word and sets an example for others to follow.

Leadership qualities are not something that can be taught, but are instead qualities that are inherent in a person. Beowulf was born to lead and his actions throughout the epic poem show this. He is a hero to his people and someone who always puts their needs first.

Beowulf’s high self-regard serves as a promise to his people. It is a pledge that states he will look after them and keep his nation out of danger. Because Beowulf holds himself in such great regard, he is required to back up his assertions and contribute to the people. Hrothgar claims that demonstrating off is a method for the Geats to be happy since they trust what he says. “I shall keep my promises and fulfill my vows.”

That is the way with a man like me. I will give you rings and treasures as thanks for your help.” Beowulf means what he says and this is shown when he later in the poem kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Beowulf also has great respect for those who have authority over him. When Beowulf speaks to Hrothgar he talks about how his uncle Hygelac had once saved him.

Even though Beowulf is a great warrior he knows that there are people who are better than him and he shows them respect. “My lord Hygelac rescued me from that fight, brought me home safe to Geatland.” Beowulf always makes sure to remember where he came from and the people who have helped him along the way. Beowulf’s leadership is not just about himself, it is also about others.

Beowulf always puts his people first and makes sure that they are taken care of. He does not want them to have to worry about anything except for being happy and safe. Beowulf knows that if he can keep his people safe then they will be able to prosper.

“So I hope to manage things here in such a way that no one, young or old, free woman or child, need ever again fear such hateful enemies.” Beowulf wants his people to be able to live their lives without having to worry about being attacked. He also wants them to be able to live their lives without having to worry about him. Beowulf is a very selfless leader and always puts his people first.

To your Geat pals now will give you the confidence to offer them sound advice and encouragement for years to come (1706). The Geats require someone who believes in them and has faith in others with low self-esteem or those who don’t believe in themselves. The people were looking for assurance, which they found in Beowulf. Beowulf reassured his followers that the Dragon would be vanquished, providing them with the courage to confront it.

Beowulf’s leadership is based on his ability to give people hope in the face of adversity and his willingness to fight for what he believes in. Beowulf’s leadership is also evident in his interactions with other leaders. When Beowulf meets with Hrothgar, he shows respect for the king and his accomplishments.

Beowulf also demonstrates his leadership skills when he leads his men into battle against the Dragon. Beowulf’s bravery and self-sacrifice inspire his men to fight alongside him and defeat the Dragon. Beowulf’s leadership is based on his courage, respect for others, and selflessness. These qualities make Beowulf an excellent leader and an epic hero.

Another reason Beowulf is regarded as a competent leader is because he does not fit the description of Heremod. Heremod was seen as a bad leader due to his bloody temperament and activities. The vices of Heremod are synonymous with a poor leader, with Hrothgar identifying them in his treatment of the Danes.

Hrothgar says, “He (Heremod) had no heart for hearing his people’s sorrows,/ Or mind to give them better days”(Beowulf ll. 1316-17). Beowulf on the other hand is the complete opposite of Heremod and Hrothgar recognizes this. Beowulf listens to the problems of his people and tries to make their lives better. In conclusion, Beowulf is a good leader because of his heroic deeds, selflessness, wisdom, and kindness.

Beowulf is an epic poem that tells the story of a great hero who takes on many challenges. Beowulf is known for his leadership qualities and is respected by many. There are several reasons why Beowulf is seen as a great leader. One reason is his heroic deeds. Beowulf has performed many heroic feats such as defeating the monster Grendel and saving the kingdom from destruction. He puts others before himself and is always willing to help those in need.

Beowulf is also wise and makes decisions that are in the best interest of his people. He is not afraid to take risks and is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those he leads. Lastly, Beowulf is kind and compassionate. He cares about the well-being of others and goes out of his way to help them. Beowulf is a true leader who embodies all of the qualities that make a great leader.

Heremod pays no attention to the demands of his subjects. He applies pain and suffering to them. Heremod is likened to the Misery of the people by the darkness and gloom. The anguish of the Danes falls on Heremod’s shoulders. But Beowulf is not like this villainous leader. The Geats are pleased with Heremod’s leadership, and they have no desire to rebel. They even mourn Beowulf’s death and mourn for him. At his burial, the Geats praised him, indicating that they appreciated his leadership skills.

Beowulf also had many admirable qualities as a leader. Beowulf was selfless, always putting others before himself. He was also brave and courageous, never backing down from a challenge. Beowulf was the epitome of a great leader and his people loved and respected him for it.

Beowulf was a great King who had the people’s best interest at heart. He always listened to their suggestions and made changes accordingly. He was never too proud to admit when he was wrong and would always apologize. Beowulf never put himself above anyone else and was always willing to help out anyone in need. This is what made him such a great leader and why the people loved him so much.

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• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• JOLE 2023 Special Issue
• Editorial Staff
• 20th Anniversary Issue
• Beowulf and the Teaching of Leadership

Tom Loughman, Ph.D., John Finley, Ph.D. 10.12806/V9/I1/AB1

Introduction

Presently we are at the confluence of major cultural currents that bring the elements of the Beowulf story to the forefront of popular appeal. At the very least, Beowulf has three superb monsters, and monsters are everywhere in movies, television, books, plays, operas, software programs, online gaming communities, paperback novels, and comic books. Around every corner appear vampires, zombies, mutants, werewolves, ghouls, devils, King Kong, Godzilla, dragons, and dinosaurs. They creep up from the ground, plummet from the sky, emerge from the seas, and materialize from thin air.

Another major current involves the large number of popular accounts of legendary and mythical heroes, many of whom display their heroism in struggles with monsters. A few recent examples include films such as The Lord of the Rings , The Chronicles of Narnia , and the Harry Potter films, all of which are populated with wizards, trolls, elves, and assorted monsters. The popularity of the Beowulf story in particular is evident in light of its numerous translations, editions, audio renditions, and films over the past several decades. While perhaps not great in themselves, several very recent films have brought the story and character of Beowulf into full view. In addition, as part of the canon of western literature, Beowulf is listed as number 12 on the 2005 list of the top 1000 works by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a consortium of more than 60,000 libraries worldwide. The Beowulf narrative obviously has staying power.

Turning to the scholarly efforts devoted to the epic poem, numerous research articles cover nearly every aspect of the poem’s word choice, origin, thematic elements, history, literature parallels, weaponry, versification, and religious influences. And while some research has explored the hero Beowulf as a character, there is little about Beowulf as a leader. Partly to fill that gap in our knowledge of this important work and to further an understanding of leadership in general, the authors (a) review the historical and cultural indicators of the period as they relate to leadership in the poem; (b) recap the three major episodes of the poem; (c) summarize the Conger-Kanungo model of charismatic leadership; (d) examine the character of Beowulf for elements of charismatic leadership; and, (e) explore the risks to organizations of an overreliance upon charismatic leaders. The authors conclude by placing the story of Beowulf’s exploits within a larger discussion of teaching leadership through artifacts of the popular culture.

Historical and Cultural Background

Although the heroic epic Beowulf was composed in Old English, it deals not with native Englishmen for whom the poem was written but with their Germanic ancestors of around the sixth century. During that earlier period patches of tribal and sub-tribal leadership were beginning to reveal what would eventually become nation states. A major relationship bond in that period involved what Schlesinger terms gefolgschaft ( comitatus in Latin) which refers to “a relationship which is entered voluntarily based on loyalty and which obliges the man to counsel and military aid, the lord to protection and generosity” (Schlesinger, 1953). The gefolgschaft or comitatus bond itself superseded, according to Bazelmans (1999), a prior organizational structure based on the concept of kleinstamme , which entailed group membership based more on kinship or within ethnic groups (Bazelmans, p. 5). The comitatus relationship was based primarily upon “mutual trust and respect” (Bazelmans, p. 15). The thane vowed loyalty to the lord and in turn received affectionate care as well as material rewards for his valor and allegiance. Good kings would be referred to by kennings (poetic epithets) such as “dispenser of treasure” or “ring-giver,” while bad kings who were not generous tended to lose thanes as well as the respect and military might the thanes brought with them. To the warriors in numerous small roving groups, in ways similar to those of the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries, treasure represented not only material wealth but also a validation of one’s worth and honor in the warrior society. It also symbolized the successful bond among the warriors in the band and between the thane and the lord.

The warrior bands had to be highly adaptive units whose members were ready to pick up at a moment’s notice, alter course as sea winds changed, and opportunistically choose proper targets. Organizational membership involved sharing the band’s values, norms, and standards of behavior. Commitment to the groups’ cultural values and organizational goals was fostered through clan control, and members were acutely and intimately aware at all times how variable commitment to goals would result in equally variable success rates. In brief, feedback was swift, and a warrior band consisting of cowardly warriors would not long endure. Dissolution of an unsuccessful group often meant very unpleasant outcomes for the individual members.

Thus, from an organizational perspective, given the obvious high risk involved in their enterprises, the warriors came to depend upon the others in the group for their lives, livelihood, and sense of honor. Cunning, strength, and courage were obviously prized in the warrior, and especially in a leader who maximized these warrior traits and upon whom the band depended. As the following synopsis of the three episodes of the Beowulf poem reveals, Beowulf epitomized these traits and for a long while successfully led his people against all foes.

Synopsis of Beowulf

In episode 1, a band of 15 Geatish warriors led by Beowulf arrives at the homeland of the Danes to rid that country of Grendel, a seemingly invincible, man-eating monster possessing the strength of 30 men. In the mead hall of Heorot on the first night, after introductions, drinking, and boasting, the Danish King Hrothgar and his retainers go to their bedchambers while the visiting warriors bed down in the mead hall. As he had done many times before, Grendel breaks into the hall, creates a general panic, and greedily devours one of the warriors. Although Beowulf’s thanes attempt to subdue the monster, their efforts are useless. Grendel then attempts to seize Beowulf’s arm, but the warrior instead grabs him, and in the ensuing struggle Beowulf wrenches Grendel’s arm off as the monster escapes. The following morning Grendel’s arm is prominently displayed to awestruck onlookers as a trophy on a wall in Heorot.

Episode 2 treats the second night in Heorot during which there is great feasting and giving of gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. After the celebration, however, Grendel’s mother sneaks into the hall, grabs one of Hrothgar’s most worthy retainers, retrieves the arm of her son Grendel, and retreats to her foul den across the moors. The next morning, Beowulf, who had not slept at Heorot the previous night, vows to avenge the death. He and his retainers, as well as members of Hrothgar’s court, track Grendel’s mother to the foul mere containing her den. Beowulf descends alone into the mere and is attacked by Grendel’s mother, who drags him into her bone-strewn den and stabs at him repeatedly with a blade. Beowulf attempts to kill her with the sword Hrunting, but to no avail. Finally, Beowulf locates an ancient sword on the cave wall and kills Grendel’s mother with it. At the victory celebration that evening in Heorot, King Hrothgar gives fabulous gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions.

The third and final episode reveals Beowulf’s having ruled wisely and well for 50 years as king of the Geats. Unfortunately, because someone disturbs its treasure trove, an enraged dragon wreaks havoc on the countryside and even destroys Beowulf’s own dwelling place. Beowulf vows to slay the dragon. With several of his thanes he goes to draw it out and kill it. Although Beowulf wounds the dragon, he is himself mortally wounded. While all the other thanes run to the woods, Beowulf’s nephew Wiglaf remains and delivers the fatal wound to the dragon. Wiglaf then foresees much trouble for the Geats because their great hero is dead and most of the Geatish warriors who still live are cowards. A funeral pyre is built, and as Beowulf and the dragon’s treasure are consumed by the flames, an old woman bewails their loss and looks gloomily into the future, for surely, now the Geatish people will suffer invasion, enslavement, debasement, and death.

Heroic deeds and grim narrative, but what type of leader is Beowulf? Our contention here is that Beowulf exemplifies charismatic leadership as detailed in the model detailed by Conger and Canungo (1994) in their article, Charismatic Leadership in Organizations . A brief summary of their main points is presented below.

Conger and Kanungo’s (1994) Charismatic Leader Model

Within the last three decades, charisma has in organizational studies become associated with the concept of transformational leadership, elucidated by Burns in his 1978 book Leadership. One major similarity between the charismatic and transformational leaders is their ability to empower employees to exceed normal expectations of achievement. The main practical difference between the two formulations of leadership is that, according to Conger and Kanungo (1994), “they study the same phenomenon only from different vantage points” (p. 442). Research into transformational leadership, they maintain, focuses on follower responses while research into charismatic leadership focuses on leader behaviors .

Partly as a response to the “complexity of the phenomena” and the “construct ambiguities and validity issues” associated with the concepts of charisma and transformational leadership, Conger and Kanungo (1994) developed their own model of charismatic leadership. Its main behavioral components are revealed in three distinct stages: (Stage 1) Environmental assessment – followers perceive the manager’s greater desire to change the status quo and a heightened sensitivity to environmental opportunities, constraints, and followers’ needs; (Stage 2) Vision formulation – followers perceive the manager’s formulation of a shared, but idealized future vision and effective articulation of this vision in an inspirational manner; and, (Stage 3) Implementation – managers who are perceived as charismatic are seen to be engaging in exemplary acts that subordinates interpret as involving great personal risk and sacrifice. Through these actions such managers are able to empower subordinates and build trust. In addition, managers in a charismatic leadership role are also seen to be deploying innovative and unconventional means for achieving their visions. In essence, charismatic leaders differ from other leaders by their “ability to formulate and articulate an inspirational vision and by behaviors and actions that foster an impression that they and their mission are extraordinary” (p. 442).

Beowulf as Charismatic Leader

In the case of Beowulf, we witness a good example of the heroic ideal that in several important ways fits well the Conger-Kanungo charismatic leader model summarized in the previous section. He is absolutely fearless and supremely confident in his own abilities. The boasts he makes before the fight with Grendel (Heaney, 2001) signal a public, inspirational articulation of confidence in his own and in his companions’ abilities to overcome adversity in the form of the monster. This goal is no ordinary one because up to that point Grendel had been invincible, breaking in wherever and whenever he pleased, slaughtering at will. In his three contests with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, respectively, Beowulf is portrayed as the very model of the warrior hero. His comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives. For his part, Beowulf, through his heroic exploits, is an abundant fountain of treasure during his years as the leader of his warrior band, and as king of the Geats he is a renowned ring-giver. Through his own strength and in his capacity as role model, Beowulf ensures that his band and tribe achieve their goals.

Ironically, however, as the synopsis above indicates, the essential social and psychological bond between King Beowulf and his thanes ultimately breaks down when the dragon appears. Although Beowulf has treated them with respect, praise, and rewards – as a good king should – his retainers (except for his nephew Wiglaf) leave him high and dry to suffer his fate with the fire-breathing “wyrm.” This breakdown, a total repudiation of the loyalty owed a lord by his thanes, is significant for the Geatish people as well because their impending fate is sealed along with the fate of their warrior representatives who escaped to the woods (Stanley, 2005).

Potential Drawbacks of Charismatic Leadership

In his article Beowulf: The Heroic, The Monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon Concepts of Leadership , Napierkowski (2005) describes Beowulf as a “premier example of literature as a form of leadership instruction” (p. 503). However, the grim fate of the Geatish people at the demise of their king invites questions about relying upon charismatic leaders such as Beowulf as models of leadership.

In the corporate world, as in Beowulf , the over reliance on a charismatic leader unfortunately can result in a problem of succession because no future leaders have been groomed to take the place of the departed one. A more frequent occurrence, as Bazelmans (1999) suggests, is that because a vanquished leader’s succession is “not a predetermined event,” struggles can take place among pretenders or potential successors (p. 129). The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. A vacuum of leadership has been created by Beowulf’s death. A follow-up study could discover how often organizations that over rely upon charismatic leaders incur long-term negative consequences, especially in situations where, as Johnson (2003) suggests, followers are too quick to follow their leaders’ example. Is the Beowulf -type problem of succession common in companies with charismatic leaders? To bring this point into a present context, what is likely to happen with a company such as Apple when Steve Jobs finally decides to give up the reins? Would Google be able to survive the loss of either Larry Page or Sergei Brin, or both of them? The potential consequences of relying upon charismatic leaders need to be explored further by researchers and organizational decision makers.

Pedagogical and Management Implications

Given the enormous popular interest in large, menacing beasts that terrorize and devour humans, such as the ones that inhabit the film Jurassic Park , Dragonslayer , Lord of the Rings , Reign of Fire , Godzilla , and many others, the story of Beowulf should appeal to modern audiences. Additionally, in Beowulf the themes of leadership, self-sacrifice, achievement, and working in teams for a common goal are ready-made for researchers and instructors. As the writings of Shakespeare, Sun-Tzu, and Machiavelli have been gleaned for their insights into a host of management concepts (Kaplan, 2002), Beowulf can also reveal insights into leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior. This point is reinforced by Callahan, Whitener, and Sandlin (2007) who maintain that “storytelling has been a vehicle for teaching, learning, and sensemaking throughout history; one need only think of epic tales such as Beowulf or the Odyssey to be reminded of lessons taught through stories” (p.153). They continue by stating that “because of the important role they play in community learning, sensemaking, and communication, these stories are embedded in our popular culture and, indeed, are vehicles for transmitting that culture” (p. 153). Stories form the basis of numerous “popular culture artifacts,” written and visual media emanating from popular culture, recommended by Callahan et al. as “ideal for teaching leadership because they allow learners to both identify with current trends and process concepts by using tools that capture their interest” (p. 147).

As a case in point, one of the authors has for several years in a management principles course included details about the Beowulf story in a module about leadership. In the course, the instructor uses a process similar to what Cartwright (2002) (citing Chris Argyris and Donald Schon) recommends that attempts to get “underneath the starting perceptions about leading and managing” (p. 70). Discussion of the story and the character of Beowulf raise numerous connections with leadership types, limitations of leadership, the role of followers, and how myths, legends and narratives in popular culture can serve as vehicles for understanding leadership. As with other stories related to leadership, discussions of the Beowulf narrative, in our opinion, exemplifies well what Colvin (2003), in his endorsement of leadership studies in liberal education, calls the “symbiotic relationship between liberal education and leadership studies” (p. 34).

Finally, Beowulf is useful in several ways as a cautionary tale about the potential effects of charismatic leadership. Because of their potency, charismatic leaders often occupy positions of authority, trust, and respect. Reliance upon them comes easily to their followers. However, precisely because of their competence and power, charismatic leaders could easily generate overreliance as well. This overreliance could pose significant risks for an organization, whether warrior band, tribe, nation, or Fortune 500 company. When the leader is gone, who in the organization will have the necessary leadership ability to carry on? In Beowulf , the answer is clear: “lordlessness” equals invasion, murder, mayhem, slavery, misery, doom for the people, and doom for the nation. In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if relying upon leaders with charisma means neglecting to develop leadership ability in others.

The powerful, memorable story of Beowulf has value as a vehicle for leadership instruction. Its numerous manifestations in print, audio, and visual media attest to its staying power in its own right, and it fits well in the current cultural context of ubiquitous monsters and the leaders – mythical and legendary – who attempt to vanquish them.

Bazelmans, J. (1999). By weapons made worthy: Lords, retainers, and their relationship in Beowulf . Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 5 . Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper and Row.

Callahan, J., Whitener, J., & Sandlin, J. (2007). The art of creating leaders: Popular culture artifacts as pathways for development. Advances in Developing Human Resources , 9 (2), 146-165.

Cartwright, S. (2002). Double-loop learning: A concept and process for leadership educators. Journal of Leadership Education, 1 (1), 68-71.

Colvin, R. E. (2003). Leadership studies and liberal education. Journal of Leadership Education , 2 (2), 32-40.

Conger, J. A., & Kanungo, R. N. (1994). Charismatic leadership in organizations: Perceived behavioral attributes and their measurement. Journal of Organizational Behavior , 15 , 439-452.

Heaney, S. (2000). Beowulf: A new verse translation . New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Johnson, C. (2003). Enron’s ethical collapse: Lessons for leadership educators. Journal of Leadership Education , 2 (1), 45-57.

Kaplan, R. D. (2002). Warrior politics: Why leadership demands a pagan ethos. New York: Random House.

Napierkowski, T. (2005). Beowulf: The heroic, the monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon concepts of leadership. International Journal of Public Administration , 28 , 503-516.

Online Computer Library Center. OCLC Research (2005) OCLC top 1000: Complete list – 2005. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.oclc.org/research/top1000/complete.htm

Schlesinger, W. (1953). Herrschaft und gesolschaft in der germansich-deutschen Verfassungsgeschichte. Historiche Zeitschrift, 176 , 225-75.

Stanley, E. (2005). Beowulf: Lordlessness in ancient times is the theme, as much as the glory of kings, if not more. Notes and Queries, 52 (3), 267-81.

• Literature Notes
• Major Themes in Beowulf
• Poem Summary
• About Beowulf
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Lines 1-193
• Lines 194-606
• Lines 607-836
• Lines 837-1062
• Lines 1063-1250
• Lines 1251-1491
• Lines 1492-1650
• Lines 1651-1887
• Lines 1888-2199
• Lines 2200-2400
• Lines 2401-2630
• Lines 2631-2820
• Lines 2821-3182
• Character Analysis
• Grendel's Mother
• Character Map
• The Beowulf Poet
• The Beowulf Manuscript
• Critical Essays
• Major Symbols in Beowulf
• Famous Quotes from Beowulf
• Film Versions of Beowulf
• Full Glossary for Beowulf
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Critical Essays Major Themes in Beowulf

A theme in a literary work is a recurring, unifying subject or idea, a motif that allows us to understand more deeply the character and their world. In Beowulf, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of the characters.

One of the central themes of Beowulf, embodied by its title character, is loyalty. At every step of his career, loyalty is Beowulf's guiding virtue.

Beowulf comes to the assistance of the Danes (Scyldings) for complicated reasons. Certainly he is interested in increasing his reputation and gaining honor and payment for his own king back in Geatland. However, we soon learn that a major motivation is a family debt that Beowulf owes to Hrothgar. The young Geat is devoted to the old king because Hrothgar came to the assistance of Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, years before. Now deceased, Ecgtheow had killed a leader of another tribe in a blood feud. When the tribe sought vengeance, Hrothgar, then a young king, sheltered Beowulf's father and settled the feud by paying tribute (wergild) in the form of "fine old treasures" (472) to Ecgtheow's enemies. Hrothgar even remembers Beowulf as a child. The tie between the families goes back many years, and Beowulf is proud to be able to lend his loyal services to Hrothgar.

When the hero returns to Geatland, he continues his loyalty to his uncle and king, Hygelac, risking his life even when the tactics of the ruler are not the best. After Hygelac is killed in an ill-advised raid on Frisia, Beowulf makes a heroic escape (2359 ff.) back to Geatland. Beowulf could become king then but is more loyal than ambitious. Queen Hygd offers Beowulf the throne after her husband dies, thinking that her young son (Heardred) is unable to protect the kingdom; Beowulf refuses and serves the young king faithfully. After Heardred is killed, Beowulf does become king and rules with honor and fidelity to his office and his people for 50 years. In his final test, the burden of loyalty will rest on other, younger shoulders.

Preparing for his last battle, with the fiery dragon, Beowulf puts his trust in 11 of his finest men, retainers who have vowed to fight to the death for him. Although the now elderly king insists on taking on the dragon alone, he brings along the 11 in case he needs them. When it is apparent that Beowulf is losing the battle to the dragon, however, all but one of his men run and hide in the woods. Only Wiglaf, an inexperienced thane who has great respect for his king, remains loyal. Wiglaf calls to the others in vain. Realizing that they will be no help and that his king is about to be killed, he stands beside the old man to fight to the death — theirs or the dragon's. For Beowulf, sadly, it is the end. Although he and Wiglaf kill the dragon, the king dies. As he dies, Beowulf passes the kingdom on to the brave and loyal Wiglaf.

Another motivating factor for Beowulf — and a central theme in the epic — is reputation. From the beginning, Beowulf is rightly concerned about how the rest of the world will see him. He introduces himself to the Scyldings by citing achievements that gained honor for him and his king. When a drunken Unferth verbally assaults Beowulf at the first banquet, at issue is the hero's reputation. Unferth's slur is the worst kind of insult for Beowulf because his reputation is his most valuable possession. Reputation is also the single quality that endures after death, his one key to immortality. That's why Beowulf later leaves the gold in the cave beneath the mere, after defeating the mother, preferring to return with Grendel's head and the magic sword's hilt rather than treasure. He has and continues to amass treasures; his intent now is in building his fame.

Unferth's slur accuses Beowulf of foolishly engaging in a seven-day swimming contest on the open sea, as a youth, and losing. If Beowulf can't win a match like that, Unferth asserts, he surely can't defeat Grendel. Beowulf defends his reputation with such grace and persuasion that he wins the confidence of King Hrothgar and the rest of the Danes. He points out that he swam with Breca for five nights, not wanting to abandon the weaker boy. Rough seas then drove them apart, and Beowulf had to kill nine sea monsters before going ashore in the morning. His reputation intact, Beowulf prepares to meet Grendel and further enhance his fame.

As he discusses Beowulf's later years, the poet lists the virtues (2177 ff.) leading to the great man's fine reputation. Beowulf is courageous and famous for his performance in battle but equally well known for his good deeds. Although aggressive in war, Beowulf has "no savage mind" (2180) and never kills his comrades when drinking, an important quality in the heroic world of the mead-hall. Beowulf respects the gifts of strength and leadership that he possesses.

As he prepares to meet the dragon, near the end of the poem, now King Beowulf again considers his reputation. He insists on facing the dragon alone despite the fact that his death will leave his people in jeopardy. Hrothgar's Sermon warned Beowulf of the dangers of pride, and some critics have accused the great warrior of excessive pride (hubris) in the defense of his reputation. A more considerate judgment might be that Beowulf is an old man with little time left and deserves the right to die as a warrior. The final words of the poem, stating that Beowulf was "most eager for fame' (3182), might be best understood by a modern audience by remembering that, in Beowulf's world, fame is synonymous with reputation.

Generosity and Hospitality

The Scyldings' King Hrothgar and Queen Wealhtheow embody the themes of generosity and hospitality. The code of the comitatus is at the heart of the Beowulf epic. In this system, the king or feudal lord provides land, weapons, and a share of treasure to his warriors (called thanes or retainers) in return for their support of the leader in battle. The leader's generosity is one of his highest qualities. There are more than 30 different terms for "king" in the poem, and many of them have to do with this role as provider. He is the "ring-giver' (35) or the "treasure-giver" (607); his seat of power is the "gift-throne" (168).

When booty is seized from an enemy in battle, everything goes to the king. He then allots treasure to each warrior according to the man's achievements as a soldier. When Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel's mother, he expects and receives great riches as his reward, including a golden banner, helmet, and mail-shirt, as well as a jeweled sword, magnificent horses with golden trappings that hang to the ground, a gem-studded saddle, and a golden collar. Such generosity is emblematic of Hrothgar's character. In turn, Beowulf will present these treasures to his own king, Hygelac, who will then honor Beowulf with appropriate gifts. Propriety/generosity is, thus, a crucial part of the political, military, social, and economic structure of the culture.

Wealhtheow shares in the gift giving and is the perfect hostess. When she serves mead in Heorot, it is an act of propriety and diplomacy, attending first to her king and then to various guests, paying special attention to Beowulf. An improper queen would be one like Modthrytho (1931 ff.) who was so inhospitable as to have her own warriors executed for the offense of merely looking into her eyes.

Hospitality is such an established part of the culture that the poet feels free to refer to it with casual humor. When Beowulf reports to Hrothgar on his victory over Grendel (957 ff.), he ironically speaks in terms of hospitality. He tried, he says, to "welcome my enemy" (969) with a firm handshake but was disappointed when he received only a "visitor's token" (971), Grendel's giant claw, "that dear [meaning 'precious'] gift" (973), a kind of macabre gratuity for services rendered. Beowulf had, ironically speaking, tried to be the perfect host; but he wanted the entire ogre body as his tip . Grendel left only his claw as a cheap compensation.

Despite Unferth's jealous rant at the first banquet, the most serious embodiment of envy in the poem is Grendel. The ogre who has menaced Hrothgar's people for 12 years is envious of the Danes because he can never share in mankind's hope or joy. The monster's motivation is one of the few undeniably Christian influences in the epic. Grendel is a descendant of Cain, the biblical son of Adam and Eve who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy (Genesis 4). The legend is that the monsters of the earth are Cain's descendants and eternally damned. Grendel resents men because God blesses them but will never bless him. The bright lights and sounds of joy emanating from Hrothgar's magnificent mead-hall, Heorot, especially annoy the ogre.

The scop 's "Song of Creation" angers Grendel because it reminds him of the light and hope of God's creation and the loss he suffers because of Cain's sin. Grendel stomps up from the mere to devour Danes and rule nightly over Heorot as a form of revenge stemming from this envy.

Revenge serves as a motivating factor for several characters throughout the poem, initially stirring Grendel and his mother. Grendel seeks revenge upon mankind for the heritage that he has been dealt. He delights in raiding Heorot because it is the symbol of everything that he detests about men: their success, joy, glory, and favor in the eyes of God. Grendel's mother's revenge is more specific. She attacks Heorot because someone there killed her son. Although she is smaller and less powerful than Grendel, she is motivated by a mother's fury. When Beowulf goes after her in the mere, she has the added advantage of fighting him in her own territory. As she drags him into her cave beneath the lake, her revenge peaks because this is the very man who killed her son. Only Beowulf's amazing abilities as a warrior and the intervention of God or magic can defeat her.

Revenge also motivates the many feuds that the poet refers to and is a way of life — and death — for the Germanic tribes. Old enmities die hard and often disrupt attempts at peace, as the poet recognizes. Upon his return to Geatland, Beowulf (2020 ff.) speculates about a feud between Hrothgar's Scyldings and the Heathobards, a tribe in southern Denmark with whom Hrothgar hopes to make peace through the marriage of his daughter. Beowulf is skeptical, envisioning a renewal of hostilities. In fact, the Heathobards do later burn Heorot in events not covered by the poem but probably familiar to its audience. Another example of revenge overcoming peace occurs in the Finnsburh section (1068-1159).

Beowulf's final battle is the result of vengeance. A dangerous fire-dragon seeks revenge because a fugitive slave has stolen a valuable cup from the monster's treasure-hoard. His raids across the countryside include the burning of Beowulf's home. Beowulf then seeks his own revenge by going after the dragon.

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Comparing Leadership Qualities in Beowulf to Today

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Anonymous's Beowulf . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Beowulf: Introduction

Beowulf: plot summary, beowulf: detailed summary & analysis, beowulf: themes, beowulf: quotes, beowulf: characters, beowulf: symbols, beowulf: theme wheel, brief biography of anonymous.

Historical Context of Beowulf

Other books related to beowulf.

• Full Title: Beowulf
• When Published: Beowulf exists in a single damaged manuscript in the British Library. The manuscript was probably written in England in the early eleventh century, though the poem itself was probably first written down in the eighth century, and was passed on orally before that.
• Literary Period: Medieval; Anglo-Saxon
• Genre: Epic poem
• Setting: Northern Europe, especially Denmark and Sweden, around the sixth century
• Climax: Beowulf's final fight with a dragon
• Point of View: The unnamed speaker of the poem

Extra Credit for Beowulf

Old English Style. Beowulf is the longest poem written in Old English. Old English poetry uses alliterative meter, meaning that the stressed words in a line begin with the same sound. A line of Old English poetry has two halves, with a brief pause, called a caesura, in the middle of the line. The two halves of a line are linked by the alliteration (repetition of an initial consonant); at least three words in a line alliterate. Old English poetry also uses kennings , compressed metaphors like "heaven's candle" for the sun, or "whale's road" for the sea, or calling a woman married in an effort to gain peace a "peace weaver."