Beowulf: themes and literary analysis

Beowulf

The heroic code of comitatus, as it manifests itself in the story of Beowulf, relates to the mutual respect and obligation between a ruler or leader and his followers (Tierney-Hynes). Specifically, Beowulf finds himself in two relationships with rulers, while later in life he becomes a ruler himself. The former two are signified by Beowulf's relationship with his own ruler, Hygelac, and the ruler from another land, Hrothgar. As king himself, the aged Beowulf's relationship with the young Wiglaf shows the importance of being a good and inspiring ruler.

Hrothgar is a wealthy Danish king, whose great hall, Heorot, has been the location of many a feast. Grendel has however plagued and murdered the guests at this hall for twelve years. Beowulf feels that he has an obligation to this king, in that the latter has once saved the life of Beowulf's father. He honors this obligation by killing Grendel and subsequently his mother. Having performed this duty, Hrothgar in turn is in Beowulf's debt, and rewards him with many gifts, according to the comitatus code. A mutual respect grows between the ruler and subordinate, and it is with sincere sorrow that Hrothgar bids the young warrior farewell.

Beowulf returns home to his own king, Hygelac. Once again, Beowulf follows the heroic code by presenting the king and queen with treasures from the gifts he has received. While the battle and victory provides Beowulf with a higher status as lord of the realm, his allegiance to Hygelac as his ruler remains. His gifts are also symbolic of the generosity that characterises Beowulf's relationship with both kings. Hrothgar's generosity to Beowulf serves as inspiration not only for Beowulf's relationship with Hygelac, but also with his own subordinates when he becomes king.

The most poignant example of Beowulf's relationship as king with one of his retainers is the loyalty of Wiglaf. As king, Beowulf has a standing pact with 11 retainers: for the king's protection and generous gifts, the retainers would fight for him whenever the need arises. Once again, this is indicative of the mutually beneficial ruler-subject relationship required by the comitatus code. When Beowulf is in mortal danger, only Wiglaf has enough courage to join his king in battle. According to the heroic code, this earns him the right to kingship, which the dying Beowulf pledges to the young warrior (Tierney-Hynes).

2. Revenge is a very prominent theme in the poem, which manifests in the actions of several major characters. Grendel for example is only half-human, and by definition a monster.

Together with his mother, the monster is depicted as a descendant of the Biblical Cain. As such, he is excluded not only from human activities and feasts, but also from human rules and laws. His exclusion is total; the monster is an outcast from the human race. In terms of revenge, Grendel's motivations are not as clear as those of the other characters. His act of revenge is murder. His motivation could be revenge against God, the human race, or simply his murderous nature.

Grendel's mother personifies emotional revenge. Her son has been murdered, and she is portrayed almost sympathetically in her capacity as bereft parent. While she is also monstrous and outcast, Grendel's mother is nonetheless also a sympathetic and emotional creature to a much greater extent than her son.

The dragon that attacks Beowulf contrasts with Grendel's mother, in that his motivation is purely material. A further contrast is that the dragon's revenge attack is levelled at opponents that are disproportionate to his extreme power. Grendel's mother in turn was a single, female creature against fourteen strong, young warriors.

Beowulf could be seen as parallel to Grendel in terms of complexity of motivation. In terms of revenge, his motives are at least as complex as those of the monster. Generally the reasons for Beowulf's battles relate to the protection of his and others' values or lives. The battle against Grendel for example could not truly be termed revenge, as Beowulf's motivation relates to the living rather than the dead.

3. Hrothgar's sermon is centrally important to the events of the poem for its focus on the main character. It helps the audience form a more complete picture of Beowulf not only as mighty warrior, but also as fallible human being (Bramante). The first important point the king makes is that a warrior king should possess not only great physical strength, but also mental strength and wisdom. Secondly, the king emphasizes the fact that Beowulf is human and as such will age and die. When fighting the dragon, Beowulf accepts this and dies as he has lived: heroically.