The character trait of perseverance was traditionally a required value in medieval societies. The inclusion of this trait is thus included in many classic literary sources, including The Life of Charlemagne and Beowulf. Both of these works are important primary sources that give modern historians a view into the lives of two very different, but equally important characters. The Life of Charlemagne, written by Einhard most likely in 826 – 827, gives a biographical account of the notorious Charlemagne, King of the Franks. While the account might be slightly biased due to Einhard being personally involved with Charlemagne’s court, the information present still allows historians a glimpse into the lives of Charlemagne and his family as well as
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Einhard writes “no war taken up by the Frankish people was ever longer, or more savage, or cost so much labour” (Einhard 23). Due to the fact that Charlemagne and the Franks as a whole were perseverant in this cause, they eventually emerged victorious from the war and were able to expand their empire even further. The perseverance present in Beowulf is a little different than that portrayed by Charlemagne. Rather than trying to expand an empire as was the case with Charlemagne, Beowulf was trying to protect one. An ethnic Geat who traveled to the Dane homeland to help save the Dane’s from a notorious monster, Beowulf is perhaps the definition of perseverance personified. He fights two monsters to save a land that is not his own and the odds were most definitely stacked against him: “none of them expected he would ever see his homeland again or get back to his native place and the people who reared him” (Beowulf 691-693). Both of these examples show the perseverance to protect what is yours and expand past what you already have. In both the case of Charlemagne and Beowulf, their perseverance paid off in a major way, either by expanding the empire or defeating the threatening …show more content…
In chapter 16 of The Life of Charlemagne, Einhard goes into extreme detail regarding the friendships that Charlemagne had with the rulers of other Kingdoms. At the end of the chapter, Einhard recounts a story in which “the emperors of Constantinople… were seeking his friendship and alliance. But after he had taken up the name of emperor they suspected that he might want to seize their empire, so he established such a firm treaty with them that no source of any trouble might remain between them” (Einhard 30). This goes to show the honorable way in which Charlemagne ran and expanded his empire. While Charlemagne was most definitely a ruthless leader, he also wanted to show that he was fair to his allies and did not wish to seize their empires. This shows the way in which Charlemagne approached the running of his empire with dignity and honor and the belief in doing what was right. There is also a similar theme present in Beowulf. After Beowulf returned from the land of the Danes, the King of the Geats was killed. As was custom, the throne proceeded to his son. However, the Queen held “no belief in her son’s ability to defend their homeland against foreign invaders” (Beowulf 2371-2372). Instead, she wanted Beowulf to take his place as King but “there was no way the weakened nation could get Beowulf to give in and agree to be elevated over Heardred as he
Einhard writes “no war taken up by the Frankish people was ever longer, or more savage, or cost so much labour” (Einhard 23). Due to the fact that Charlemagne and the Franks as a whole were perseverant in this cause, they eventually emerged victorious from the war and were able to expand their empire even further. The perseverance present in Beowulf is a little different than that portrayed by Charlemagne. Rather than trying to expand an empire as was the case with Charlemagne, Beowulf was trying to protect one. An ethnic Geat who traveled to the Dane homeland to help save the Dane’s from a notorious monster, Beowulf is perhaps the definition of perseverance personified. He fights two monsters to save a land that is not his own and the odds were most definitely stacked against him: “none of them expected he would ever see his homeland again or get back to his native place and the people who reared him” (Beowulf 691-693). Both of these examples show the perseverance to protect what is yours and expand past what you already have. In both the case of Charlemagne and Beowulf, their perseverance paid off in a major way, either by expanding the empire or defeating the threatening …show more content…
In chapter 16 of The Life of Charlemagne, Einhard goes into extreme detail regarding the friendships that Charlemagne had with the rulers of other Kingdoms. At the end of the chapter, Einhard recounts a story in which “the emperors of Constantinople… were seeking his friendship and alliance. But after he had taken up the name of emperor they suspected that he might want to seize their empire, so he established such a firm treaty with them that no source of any trouble might remain between them” (Einhard 30). This goes to show the honorable way in which Charlemagne ran and expanded his empire. While Charlemagne was most definitely a ruthless leader, he also wanted to show that he was fair to his allies and did not wish to seize their empires. This shows the way in which Charlemagne approached the running of his empire with dignity and honor and the belief in doing what was right. There is also a similar theme present in Beowulf. After Beowulf returned from the land of the Danes, the King of the Geats was killed. As was custom, the throne proceeded to his son. However, the Queen held “no belief in her son’s ability to defend their homeland against foreign invaders” (Beowulf 2371-2372). Instead, she wanted Beowulf to take his place as King but “there was no way the weakened nation could get Beowulf to give in and agree to be elevated over Heardred as he