Comparison Between Beowulf and Hrothgar Essay Example

to the sea shore, where one of the worriers offered him a magic sword. On his arrival at the bottom of the sea where the monster lived, they engaged in a fierce fight, and he uses the magic sword to kill the monster. The Danish people were triumphal after Beowulf had successfully eliminated the race of evil monsters. Beowulf was rewarded with more treasures and sailed home with him, the magic sword that he used to kill Grendel’s mother. Upon his return, the king heard about Beowulf’s victory against the monsters and rewarded him for his bravery with land, swords, and houses.
The meeting between Beowulf and his uncle, King Hygelac marks the end of the first part of the poem. Beowulf succeeded his uncle as King of Geats and reigns over Geats for fifty years. During his reign, an angry dragon destroyed his grand hall and burnt down homes in his kingdom. Though he was old and not strong as he used to be, he was determined to avenge his losses by killing the dragon bare handily. In the fight against the dragon, he was engulfed in flames by the dragon and breaks his sword. His followers saw this and flew, but Wiglaf came to his aid and stabbed the dragon giving Beowulf an opportunity to kill it.

Beowulf was greatly injured and knew he would die. He asked Wiglaf to bring him all jewels and gold from the dragons store as a sign to show appreciation for his efforts. Before his death, he issued instructions for the construction of his tomb, ‘Beowulf’s tower’ at the sea edge. The warriors that abandoned their leader were punished.

Wiglaf sent a message of Beowulf’s death to the Geats and oversaw the building of funeral pyre as instructed by his master. Beowulf’s ashes were buried alongside the dragon's treasure. The poem ends with a funeral of a great worrier as it began.

Differences Between Beowulf and Hrothgar

King Hrothgar is weak and old. His army could not defend his throne from Grendel, the monster. On the other hand, Beowulf is a young mighty worrier who portrays his strength through his many successful fights against monsters. The monster terrorized the Danish people for many years. They lacked means of fighting him or calming his fury. Instead, they sought the help of Beowulf who came and wrestled with the monster killing it and later its mother. (Irving p.18)

Hrothgar is a wise, experienced king but Beowulf is a foolish king. Before Grendel came to terrorize his realm, Hrothgar had ruled his people wisely for a long period. When the monster came to terrorize his people he didn’t seek vengeance single handedly because he knew he could have lost his life, but in contrary, Beowulf is so full of himself and thinks he can kill the dragon all by himself despite his old age. When the angry dragon burns down King Beowulf’s hall and homes in his kingdom, he gets himself killed while avenging his losses against the dragon.
Hrothgar was a generous king. He rewarded Beowulf as promised when he defeated Grendel, the monster, and its mother. He also organized feasts for his warriors and followers to celebrate the completion of his lavish hall. However, Beowulf is materialistic, at his death he ordered his warrior to collect all gold and

jewels from the dragon’s treasure stores and bury them alongside his ashes.

King Beowulf was a proud person, but Hrothgar was a humble king. Beowulf was so full of himself. This was because of his physical strength. He was a very strong man. The poem describes that “one of his hands hand a strength of about thirty men”. (Tolkien, vol.18) He waged war against monsters and won. Furthermore, his name was sung in many kingdoms. He was a hero of heroes, and this made him a proud man. Upon arrival in Danes to avenge the attacks by Grendel, he praises himself in the feast. He tells tails of his heroic acts and the people are amazed and fear him. On the other hand, Hrothgar expressed his humility by acknowledging through his actions that there are wars one cannot win and instead look for a person who can. Through his wisdom, he uses the mighty Beowulf to defeat the monsters terrorizing his people.

King Hrothgar was a coward while Beowulf was courageous and brave. Hrothgar when confronted by Grendel’s attacks in his hall, he shied away from fighting the monster. He did not avenge his people’s loss. On the other hand, Beowulf attacked the dragon single-handedly when it scorched his hall and properties in his kingdom. His bravery gave no space for fear. In his life he had swum in the ocean and killed many monsters, things people thought to be impossible.

King Beowulf went through all the phases of attaining kingship. He started by proving himself by killing monsters. This signified that when he became king, he could protect his kingdom. Beowulf evolves slowly as an ideal king.

He honorably attained kingship. This is not the case for Hrothgar who attained power after his great grandfather’s death, without proving himself to the people. Hrothgar gained loyalty through friendship and giving out gifts to others. For example, he rewarded Beowulf after the defeat of the evil monsters.

Hrothgar is a man of his words, but Beowulf breaks his promise. Hrothgar makes a promise to pay his friend, Beowulf, “if you defeat the evil Grendel, I will shower you with gold and treasures. He keeps his promise when he showers him with stores of treasure twice. First, after killing Grendel and then when he killed its mother. Hrothgar kept his promise and rewarded Beowulf. He also made him his foster son establishing a permanent alliance between their kingdoms. On the other hand, Beowulf breaks his biggest promise to his people, which was not to die for the sake of glory. But when consumed by anger caused by the dragon actions he engages the dragon single-handedly, an event that led to his death.

King Hrothgar had his people’s interests at hand while King Beowulf put his interests first. This is exhibited by their characters in the poem. When confronted by Grendel terror, King Hrothgar did not risk his life by engaging in a physical fight with the monster because he knew that without a good king as he was, his kingdom could fall. Contrary to this, Beowulf portrays his personal quest for heroism by leaving his kingdom behind, going to the cave to take on the dragon by himself. This was risking the future of his people. He did not fear to die for glory, and he did.

(Morgan p.35)

Similarities between Hrothgar and Beowulf

Both Hrothgar and Beowulf come to present themselves as high esteemed kings. The narrator presents them as great warriors and loved by their people. When referring to both Beowulf and Hrothgar. Both were heroes. It is said in the narrative that “Hrothgar was given glory in war, success in his battles; retainers bold obeyed him gladly; his band increased to glory” (Morgan p.39) Hrothgar is also successful in the eyes of the people (his people) he also builds the mead hall and travels to long distant areas. He is the people's hero, and the king at the same time. He is highly viewed by his people.

Both of them also hand out great rewards to their warriors. They form strong famed groups of warriors. Though Beowulf was a famous hero because he was physically strong and courageous. He fought hard and was highly respected. Beowulf was even titled” the Lord of the warriors” due to his mighty and fighting skills. Hrothgar awards every warrior who does an exemplary work, including Beowulf himself. These awards build up the morale of the warriors and at the same time creating determination among the warriors.

Hrothgar and Beowulf present themselves to be trustworthy to the people. They create trust among the people, and the people learn to trust their respective leaders. Hrothgar keeps his promises to the people. For example, in the story, he promises that he will reward Beowulf for killing Grendel, the monster that had been nagging him and had always haunted mead-hall for many years. After Beowulf accomplish the mission he is handsomely gifted as in the story “Hrothgar bestowed a standard of

Gold, a banner embroidered, a costly sword, a bunny and helm (Irving p. 7). All these for being able to slaughter Grendel the monster. Hrothgar keeps his promise by creating trust among his people. Although Beowulf promises his people that he will not die for the sake of glory, he went against that pledge to tackle the dragon and loses his life as a hero.

They both share treasures. Hrothgar and Beowulf take care of his throne. Their life experiences are also similar. Beowulf experienced hard times as a warrior. The narrator foreshadows on the forthcoming of Beowulf when he says the king offered his life as an example how old age could bring the challenges and changing fortunes that may come up as a result of glowing old and the repulsion of old age the King says that for 50 years he has ruled successfully until Grendel the monster turns and bring him to his knees.
Hrothgar makes Beowulf his foster son to create a permanent alliance despite rewarding him with so many gifts and treasures. This is done to foster togetherness, and just in case Beowulf would need any more help, he may always come as a son to Hrothgar and get help or assistance. Moreover, for Beowulf, though he felt some fear he overcomes his fear and turns to kill Grendel and he does so unarmed as he had promised. As a warrior who would later become king respected as he was, he could not cower down but went to fight the dragon that was burning his citizen’s houses. One of his right men asks says Beowulf to gather his strength and remember the

vow he made that he would never to risk his life for glory again.

As an authoritative figure and an example to the society kings and leaders are sought by the people for help and advice whenever they need it. Hrothgar and Beowulf form great leaders with exemplary character to be followed by their people. The people turn up for religious guidance and leadership from both of them as they are highly respected and highly viewed. The two leaders created a society the notion of trust and therefore the people could benefit a lot from the two leaders advises and help.

Both form great kings though Beowulf doesn’t keep his words and goes on to fight against the dragon though he goes against the promise it is due to love for his people and determination for the good life of his people. He is unhappy that his people are suffering due to lack of housing due to the dragon that is burning the peoples’ houses. He shows courage and bravely for his people. Whereas on the other hand, Hrothgar simply wanted to be the best leader that the people needed. He doesn't shift his obligations into other factors but to work for his people as a leader, his priority.

Hrothgar and Beowulf present themselves as honorable men. At some point, Beowulf is against the idea of doing anything against his feudal lord. Loyalty and honor are his guiding principles. He is so loyal that he decides to fight the dragon for his people as a sign of patriotism, and of the highest order more also for the love of Aeschere who had been taken by the monster. This

is an honor to Aeschere. Hrothgar griefs at the sight of his suffering people he does not let his emotions overwhelm him, which could have lasted to the loss of his life. Hrothgar, on the other hand, travels a far distance with the family of the great warrior Beowulf to assist destroy the monster, Grendel. This comes after his men and himself is unable to do so. He also shows honor by rewarding him after killing the monster unarmed keeping his words.

Hrothgar is also concerned about his people. He understood the need for a good intelligent leader for them. Though concerned the narrator says “weighed down with woe and heavy of heart, and sat sorely grieving for slaughtered thanes. That was the reason why he could not take on the monster which could have only lead to his death. He is old and outdated going against such a dangerous creature would be suicidal especially in his condition. On the other hand, Beowulf is young, strong and energetic, he had the guts to take on the monster and slay it. Both of them are examples of great leaders who think rationally and act wisely rather than rashly.

Conclusion

As discussed above, both Hrothgar and Beowulf characters differ in several cases that one is a leader the other is a warrior and at the same time a hero. Hrothgar is old and experienced he has a more developed reflective attitude towards being a hero. His long life has taught him the privileges and at the same time the dangers of power he dies as a great leader so does Beowulf dies to try to protect his people, though wanted

to prove his heroism it was for the love of the people and as a warrior this was his path and his destiny because many warriors take the same path.

Work Cited

1. Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel. Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics. Vol. 18. London, 1936.
2. Sisam, Kenneth. The structure of Beowulf. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1965.
3. Morgan, Gerald. "The treachery of Hrothulf." (1972): 23-39.
4. Irving, Edward B. "The nature of Christianity in Beowulf." Anglo-Saxon England 13 (1984): 7-21.
5. Harris, Joseph. " Beowulf" in Literary History." Pacific Coast Philology (1982): 16-23.