Beowulf Leadership: What it Means to be a King in Society Essay Example
Introduction
From the poem, Beowulf, leadership is seen to be supported by two main aspects. These include humility before God and values as a warrior. King Hrothgar’s advice to Beowulf is centered on humility and Greek tragedians. On the other hand, Beowulf is full of pride despite being considerably humble and wise. In his warrior and leadership life as well as battles, Beowulf acknowledges the presence of God in most of the situations that happen to him.
A King in Beowulf’s Society
Look at what it means to be a king in the society of Beowulf. One place to look is lines 1700-84, Hrothgar’s advice to Beowulf before the warrior’s return home. What are the rules for becoming king? What makes a good or a bad king? Do
...you think Beowulf is a good king, or should he stick to being a hero? Explain your response.
There was too much to be expected from a king in Beowulf’s society. The people from this society and other kingdoms have been keeping a close eye on leadership and what has occurred in history. For instance, King Hrothgar has been close to keep Beowulf in line with the requirements of good leadership.
According to the poem, Beowulf felt light and free from obligations in his young age. Therefore, he did not find anything to lose as it was in the case of Hrothgar. Too much ego and self-pride as well as his heroic success as a warrior took much of his time. However, once he becomes the leader, he has to balance between pride and humility.
Thus, in leadership, humilit
should be in race with pride. Hrothgar puts it clear to Beowulf that a king should find joy in serving people, humbling before God, acknowledging the presence and strength of God, and in giving away the precious gifts without fear. All these makes up a good king. In this light, a bad king is seen to be one who is led by selfishness, excessive pride, and angry-hearted. However, warrior skills and also charisma are also essential for a leader.
Beowulf, nonetheless, makes a good leader. As a successful and a heroic warrior, Beowulf has gained respect and influence among the army and other leaders. Hrothgar also knows of Beowulf’s wisdom and capability as a leader. Beowulf is also a strong believer of Christianity and the presence of God. At Grendel’s mother’s cave, he acknowledged that it was through God that he found the weapon at the door. With the weapon, he went forward to claim a success. On top of that, he attributes this success to God.
Beowulf’s Most Significant Battles
Beowulf engages in three major battles with three different enemies. Which of these is the most significant, and why? You may consider the monster’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations; which enemy is the most difficult for Beowulf to defeat; and the significance of his victory
In his era, Beowulf comes across three main battles that prove essential to him. These battles include: the fight with Grendel himself, and with Grendel’s mother at her cave, and the fight with the dragon. The battle against Grendel’s mother is seen to be the most essential and significant one to him.
Sailing to Heorot to Confront
Grendel at her Cave
After too much interference of Grendel to the human life, Beowulf had no option but to exterminate the monster. Grendel, in link with Christianity, is seen as a Cain descendant who is out to bring down the humankind. As a warrior, Beowulf was challenged after seeing his kinsmen suffer in the hand of the monster. As a result, he armed himself and set off to confront the monster at her cave (Drout et al., p. 26).
Since the monster was more powerful and geared to harming more men, Beowulf had to use knowledge to defeat her. He swam into the water and attacked Grendel with sword which he found at the cave’s entry. The sword came out to be Grendel’s weakness against Beowulf. Although this shows his mortality and decline in strength, Beowulf acts in place to protect more harm from reaching his kinsmen (Drout et al., p. 32). His decision to leave for Grendel’s cave shows a spiritual motive of destroying and combating demon and its evil at its own root source. Later after success, Beowulf attributed his success and survival to God. This made him a hero among Danes who sung loudly to praise and celebrate him.
Conclusion
To become a leader, Beowulf went through a lot in order to be deemed as capable. His 3 battles with different monsters made him a stronger man/ although he was associated with pride and ego due to his heroic success, Beowulf was humble and a strong believer of God. This made him to be different among other leaders who had previously faced tragic falls.
Work Cited
- Drout, Michael DC, et
al. "Cluster Analysis of Beowulf."Â Beowulf Unlocked. Springer International Publishing, 2016. 23-53.
