Beowulf Is A Great Hero But A Poor King

I have chosen the ` Beowulf is a great hero but a poor king` title for my final essay, as heroism is a central and reoccurring theme in the Beowulf epic. Beowulf is presented as a strong, loyal and courageous heroic character in the poem. Much of Beowulf is dedicated to exemplifying and symbolizing the Germanic heroic code, which values characteristics such as strength, courage , loyalty and honor. “The heroic codes determined how a stately and noble person should perform in Germanic society, such as the one in which Beowulf takes place.” I chose this title because it is interesting and puzzling how Beowulf is depicted as a heroic and noble worrier but no so much a good king. Beowulf `s victories of defeating Grendel and his mother have gained him respect, loyalty and trust of others. His worrier skills and the good nature of his character has allowed him to rule the Geats for fifty years, however his skills as a king have failed him and his people when he is defeated by the dragon.
This article explores the heroic life of Beowulf and the symbolic value of armor. Armor is an important theme in the poem, as Beowulf decides to fight the monster Grendel unarmed ,as he thinks it is dishonorable and unheroic to fight an unarmed enemy. In his speech Beowulf wanted to show his bravery and honor by saying “ I don’t claim myself any lower in strength or brave deeds than Grendel. Therefore, I will not kill him with a sword.”, as this would be an “unfair