Beowulf: Code of Honor
After fighting and winning many battles, Beowulf's life enters a new stage when he finally becomes king of his homeland, Geatland. Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon. For fifty years he has governed his kingdom well. While Beowulf is governing, the dragon "...kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow" (Norton 55). Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one had disturbed the dragon’s kingdom until one day when a thief broke into the treasure, laid hand on a cup fretted with gold, which infuriated the dragon. "The fiery dragon had destroyed the people's stronghold, the land along the sea, the heart of the country" (Norton 57).
Beowulf is an epic poem that was written in the late tenth-century, at the kingdom of the West Saxons. The two main characters are Beowulf, a young man; and Grendel, a furious dragon. Beowulf's world is a very violent society with wars as a dominant part of daily life. Dragons and monsters are a constant threat to the Danes and the Geats. Warriors are a necessity to this war-like society. Beowulf is a hero as well as a great, and honorable, warrior.
After fighting and winning many battles, Beowulf's life enters a new stage when he finally becomes king of his homeland, Geatland. Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon. For fifty years he has governed his kingdom well. While Beowulf is governing, the dragon "...kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow" (Norton 55). Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one had disturbed the dragon’s kingdom until one day when a thief broke into the treasure, laid hand on a cup fretted with gold, which infuriated the dragon. "The fiery dragon had destroyed the people's stronghold, the land along the sea, the heart of the country" (Norton 57).
Beowulf prepares to fight a dragon with his thane, Wiglaf. Beowulf has no fear of the dragon, because he has fought many enemies that were much more ferocious. One example of Beowulf's great battles is the fight with Grendel. No one other than Beowulf is brave enough or strong enough to volunteer to fight Grendel. Wiglaf is the only person who stays with Beowulf to serve his lord and to fight the dragon. Everyone else becomes cowardly and runs into the forest to hide from the dragon. It turns out that Beowulf's sword cannot even penetrate the dragon. The dragon gets the best of Beowulf, he "seized all his neck with his sharp fangs: he was smeared with life-blood, gore welled out in waves" (Norton 62). Wiglaf, then, summons his wits and they killed the dragon: "The wound which the dragon had dealt him began to burn and swell; at once he felt dire evil boil in his breast within him"(Norton 62). Our hero is finally defeated. Even though he is seriously injured, he still had the strength to break the fifty-foot dragon in half. He knows that his life has ended, and with it, all the joy of his years on earth. The days are done, death most near. Beowulf then says, "now I would wish to give my son my war-clothing, if any heir after me, part of my flesh, were granted" (62). Beowulf is saying that if God had granted him a son that he would be the first one to receive his armor and sword. Beowulf is then at peace.
Beowulf sends Wiglaf to "look at the hoard under the gray stone" (62). He tells Wiglaf to move quickly so that he may see the beautiful jewels that were kept and watched by the dragon. When Wiglaf enters the hoard, the beauty of the jewels astonishes him. He says that there are "many precious jewels, glittering with gold lying on the ground, wonders on the wall"(62). There are many rusty helmets and many twisted arm-rings. There is a golden standard lighting the hoard completely. Wiglaf is eager to return and tell his lord what he has just seen. When Beowulf sees the treasure, he says: "I speak with my words thanks to the lord of all for these treasures...for what I gaze on here, that I might get such for my people for my death-day"(Norton 63). Beowulf is saying that he will not be satisfied until all his people receive these precious treasures.
Beowulf then proceeds to take off his necklace, giving it to Wiglaf. This signifies that Beowulf's life is ending and he wants to pass on his legacy to his followers. Beowulf tells Wiglaf that he is last one left of the thanes and it is now his job to carry on the tradition: "Fate has swept away all my kinsmen, earls in their strength, to destined death. I have to go after" (Norton 63). Beowulf is saying that fate has taken the lives of all of his kinsmen and he must go as well. That is the last word spoken by Beowulf. His soul lifts from his body to "seek the doom of those fast in truth" (63). He must find a new adventure destined for him.
There was a time in history when fear was the only thing to look forward to. Warriors were a necessity in these constantly warring societies. Beowulf is a hero and a great warrior. Beowulf never rests until his people have the treasures. Before death, Beowulf displays great honor when he removes the necklace from his neck and gives it to his thane, Wiglaf as a symbol of his life, pride and kingship. This poem tells about a time in history that few people know about, or have even heard of, yet the message of heroism and honor rings as clear in this millennium as it did in the millennium in which it was written.
1. Underline the titles of novels.
2. Most of your paper is a plot summary. Try not to re-tell the story. Instead, why is Beowulf compelled to fight the dragon? What is his “code of honor?” “How is Beowulf heroic?” “Why doesn’t anyone else help Beowulf fight the dragon?” “How does this make Beowulf a great and honorable warrior?”
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