Beowulf's Germanic Beliefs

The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a hero was to the Germanic peoples. Through his respect to kinship, bravery, honor, strength, and intelligence, Beowulf offers to Germanic men a model of a great warrior and leader, a model every man should strive to emulate. Early Germanic social organization revolved first and foremost around kin and family, the first quality found in Beowulf. Early on in the story, Beowulf traveled from Geat to help the Danish king, Hrothgar, an old friend of Beowulf's father . Beowulf's father died when Beowulf was very young,
When Grendel attacked, he patiently waited while the monster ate one of his companions, perhaps contemplating the best angle of attack . He also realized that no weapon could bring harm to Grendel, which may account for his vow to fight him unarmed. Instead of being looked at as his pride, Beowulf's decision can be seen as his intelligence, even wisdom. Wisdom, in addition to his intelligence, was another quality Beowulf possessed. In his fight with the dragon, which would be his final battle, Beowulf was wise enough to understand that he was older than in his past and this would most likely be his last fight . These examples, though not emphasized greatly in the story, show that Germanic tribes honored leaders who were capable on the battlefield both physically and mentally. They desired a leader and a warrior who could not only lead them in battle through his actions, but also through his strategies and