Pride: the Tragic Flaw

Though sometimes used in stories or fables as something to aspire to, such as being proud of one's work, pride is looked upon as quite the opposite in Beowulf. In Seamus Heaney's translation, pride is depicted as an unfortunate, often fatal, flaw which will eventually lead to tragedy or the untimely demise of the character cursed with this trait. Many of the main characters display this affliction, several examples being Hrothgar, whose pride leads to the deaths of his people, Beowulf, whose pride leads to his demise, and even Wiglaf, whose pride foreshadows tragedy in his future. Even though pride may seem a useful asset at times, it will almost never remain so. In the vast majority of cases, the pride held by a person will lead to tragedy either for themselves, or someone else.
Hrothgar's pride leads to many deaths among his people, as he is too proud to ask for assistance defeating Grendel, instead hoping that the problem will solve itself. Rather than displaying his weakness by asking for help, Hrothgar allows Grendel to murder his people; he hosted a grand feast, which he knows will draw Grendel, every year in the hopes that Grendel will have lost interest and will leave them alone that year. However, no reprieve is given; every day "for twelve winters, seasons of woe/the lord of the Shieldings suffered," until his plight finally becomes known to the rest of the Scandinavian countries, though his pride and refusal to ask for assistance has prevented it from being known sooner. (l. 147-8)   Even then, he does not request help, though he does accept the aid of any who journey to his land. This pride leads   Hrothgar to resort to strange practices: sometimes "at pagan shrines they vowed/offerings to idols," and "swore oaths/that the killer of souls might come to their aid." (l. 175-7) Hrothgar eventually admits his weakness and petitions aid, but only to Beowulf after his arrival, thus preserving at least some small portion of his pride. He is only able to do... [continues]

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