Beowulf is the epic story of a young hero who battles the monster Grendel and
his mother. Beowulf, a prince of the Geats, the son of Ecgtheow who voyages to
Heorot, the hall of Hrothgar, king of the Geats and the great grandson of the
hero . There at Heorot, Beowulf destroys the monster Grendal, who for twelve
years has haunted the hall by night and slain all he found therein. When
Grendal’s mother, in revenge, makes an attack on the hall, Beowulf seeks her
out and kills her in her home beneath the waters. There are many different
events in this story. First, there is the pagan warrior system. In this system,
the relationship between the lord and his men, known as the thanes, is very
important. It is the responsibility of the thanes to defend their king and their
lands and also to fight his wars whenever possible. The relationship between the
lord and the thanes is one of mutual trust and respect. The warrior vows his
loyalty to his lord and eventually becomes his companion. In return, the
king/lord is responsible for repaying these men for their favors and eventually
provide for their households. He offers them shelter, helmets, gold rings,
bracelets, swords, beer, mead, and a home. (Norton, 23.) In the warrior society,
there are two forms of retribution, quiet vengeance and the wergild or the
"man price" (Norton, 23.). A killer is responsible for paying for the
death of a warrior, by paying a member of his family: "Each rank of society
is evaluated at a definite price, which has to be paid to the dead man's kinsmen
by the killer who wishes to avoid their vengeance - even if the killing has been
accidental." (Norton, 23.) There are also the ideas of fate and courage
portrayed throughout the story of Beowulf. The warriors believe that fate
controls their lives and their beings. Beowulf, the ultimate hero, shows this
trait throughout Grendel's attack and also in his battle with Grendel's mother
after her vengeful attack on the hall of Heorot. He even tells Unferth, the
boastful warrior, of his fate before defeating Grendel, when Beowulf says,
"Fate often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good." (Norton,
34.) After, Beowulf's successful victory over Grendel, the warriors enjoy their
feast and then settle down for their night's rest in the great hall Heorot. They
do not know that Grendel has a kin who will come that night to avenge his death.
Grendel's mother then arrives and snatches the first person she sees and hurries
back to the mere. When it is discovered that the man, who happens to be
Hrothgar's dearest advisor, Aeschere is dead, everyone is sorrowful. Once again,
all of Danes are now in sorrow for the death of Aeschere. Hrothgar mourns his
friend's death, but Beowulf encourages him when he says to Hrothgar,
"Sorrow not, wise warrior. It is better for a man to avenge his friend than
much mourn." (Norton, 45.) Beowulf now attacks Grendel's mother and gives
victory and freedom to the Danes over the monsters that have been plaguing them
for over twelve years. Hrothgar is described as a "hoary warrior".
(Norton, 45.) He is old, tired and cannot control his kingdom. His thanes can
boast, but cannot face the monsters that try to overthrow his kingdom. Not only
does Beowulf shows his courage and his fighting ability as a young warrior, but
in the end of the poem, at an old age, he again shows his courage by attacking
the dragon who eventually takes his life. At the time he is about to attack the
dragon, Beowulf says, "In my youth I engaged in many wars. Old guardian of
the people, I shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame, if the evil-doer
will come to me out of the earth-hall." (Norton, 59.) Beowulf's successor
is Wiglaf. Wiglaf is the young warrior who sticks by Beowulf's side while he
fights with the dragon. Wiglaf is very similar to Beowulf in that he is also
courageous and is humble. He is very courageous and shows his courage when he
tries to help Beowulf attack the dragon.