Beowulf and Treasure in the Epic Poem

Beowulf and Treasure

In the epic poem Beowulf, the hero is one born to wealth and raised to wealth. This position, rather than making him weak, has allowed Beowulf to become respected in his community as a man of generosity and, because of his skills as a warrior, immense courage. To this extent, the reader sees Beowulf engaging in acts of bravery and of generosity towards his fellow men. Contrast this to the more evil characters, both the monsters Grendel and his mother and the monstrous humans that Beowulf encounters. Those who are ungenerous are invariably the wicked characters, both lacking kindness towards fellow men and the heroic bravery of a Beowulf. Money and treasure are shown in the poem as markers of respect and of decency. Those who give it are treated heroically, as is evidenced at Beowulf's funeral. Those who hoard it are shown to be wicked. In this way, the author uses valuable goods to show which characters are heroic and which ones are villains.

In the prologue, in discussing Shild's son, the author writes, "A young prince must be prudent like that, / giving freely while his father lives / so that afterward in age when fighting starts / steadfast companions will stand by him" (20-23). The people of Denmark have their ruler through the blood of the father. The prince is named next ruler through a band of gold. When the ring is given, the people accept their ruler. In Denmark, warriors are revered. "Behavior that's admired is the path to power among people everywhere" (24-25). In this society, acts of bravery are rewarded with valuable treasures. Therefore, quite literally men build their wealth by acts of courage. The wealthiest are thus the most brave of the warriors. When King Shild dies, his funeral ship is overlaid with riches. "Far-fetched treasures / were piled upon him, and precious gear" (36-37). The people's respect is earned through the giving of wealth and the respect for that man is shown through the return of that wealth.

The monster Grendel is an example of villainy illustrated through treasure and riches. Every night he goes to the hall of Heorot and slaughters and destroys whatever is in sight. When he takes over Heorot, from the humans and begins killing them all, there is one place within the hall that he cannot go. "The throne itself, the treasure-seat, / he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord's outcast" (168-169). As the men honored their King with treasure, so too the throne is a tribute in honor to God, giving him treasure. There is a direct correlation here between the king and the king of all men.

When Beowulf arrives to save the remaining men from the monster Grendel, one of the ways he pledges that the will be successful is by describing his armor. He told a story about another adventure he had and the battle he fought against a similarly vicious foe. Beowulf says:

My armor helped me to hold out;

My hard-ringed chain-mail, hand-forged and linked,

A fine, close-fitting filigree of gold,

Kept me safe when some ocean creature

Pulled me to the bottom (550-554).

His pedigree is defined by the things he possesses. His golden armor is symbolic of the heroism in Beowulf's character.

The text differentiates between treasure that is taken by force and that which is given freely. Halfdane presents Beowulf with treasure for success in combat and for defending his people and his kingdom. Lovingly are these gifts described as: "an embroidered banner; also breast-mail / and a helmet; and a sword carried high, / that was both precious object and token of honor" (1021-1023). Beowulf is given an abundance of gifts and feels no shame in receiving them for they have been well-earned by his exploits. The spectacle does not end with the gifts but with their presentation as well. "Next the king ordered eight horses / with gold bridles to be brought through the yard" (1034-1035). The level of heroism must be matched by the level of reward. Thusly it is done.