King Hrothgar Characteristics

Many times in life people say that they want elected politicians to be good leaders. But what are the real traits or characteristics of a good leader? Most people think of a great leader as being a person who is steadfast, trustworthy, and dedicated to the people they work with and serve. King Hrothgar, from Beowulf, possesses all of these traits. Hrothgar works hard to protect his people and to reward his people for small and large accomplishments. He is a visionary who builds places, like Heorot, as a place of enjoyment where he can share his gifts and treasures with the people of his land. The most dominant of Hrothgar’s character traits can be summed up by the word devoted. King Hrothgar shows his devotion to God, his devotion to the Danes of his land, and develops a devout relationship with Beowulf. This is apparent in all of his words and deeds throughout the poem, Beowulf. The first way in which Hrothgar demonstrates his devotion is in his words and thoughts about God. King Hrothgar, in his time of trouble, looked to a higher power for help and

His unwavering faith and devotion to God was directly referred to by King Hrothgar in his speeches and it was this devout faith that carried him steadfastly through the good and bad times in his life. It is evident that the Danes felt and appreciated the devotion Hrothgar had for them because they only said good things about him. A devout person has ability to share, reward, honor, praise, and encourage others. Throughout the poem, Hrothgar definitely gave gifts, treasures, and rewards to his people, the Danes, and to his special friend, Beowulf. Hrothgar was as devoted to Beowulf as father to his own son. In all that is said about and by Hrothgar in the poem, Beowulf, the one word, devoted, best describes his