Generosity and Kingship in Beowulf
Generosity plays a large role in Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, particularly to the kings and their successors. Much emphasis is placed on a king’s ability—and willingness—to provide for his people; if he did, his people would know that “he was a good king” (l. 862). Kings would often reward their most prodigious warriors, and receiving gifts and gold was seen as a sign of respect and honor, as well as an indication of skill. If a king is unwilling to share his bounty, however, he is often labeled as greedy, bloodthirsty, and tyrannical. Generosity seems to be linked quite closely with kingship, as is demonstrated through Hrothgar’s ample gifts to his own subjects, Beowulf’s generosity towards …show more content…
At Hygelac’s death, Beowulf takes the throne, and is regarded by the narrator as a good protector of the Geats’ kingdom, having “ruled it well/ for fifty winters, [growing] old and wise/ as warden of the land” (ll. 2208-2210). However, when the dragon begins to attack the Geats, setting fire to the people’s land and burning the mead-hall, Beowulf is convinced that “he must have thwarted the ancient ordinance of the eternal Lord, broken His commandment” (ll. 2329-2331); this echoes Hrothgar’s hope for Beowulf to follow God’s path of humility and generosity, and to beware the “trap” that lies in covetousness and resentment. Beowulf’s ultimate downfall can be explained by his almost prophetic statement before his battle with the dragon: “I shall win the gold/ by my courage, or else mortal combat, / doom of battle, will bear your lord away” (ll.2535-2537). Because Beowulf’s ultimate goal is to win the gold or die in the attempt, he is succumbing to exactly the things Hrothgar warned him about before he took the throne: greed and pride. This may also be the reason for the downfall of the Geats after Beowulf’s funeral pyre has been lit: Wiglaf, the young warrior named king of the Geats after Beowulf, also falls prey to greed and pride when faced with the dragon’s hoard; he “filled his arms with flagons and plates, / anything he wanted; and took the standard also, / most brilliant of banners” (ll. 2775-2777). A king who takes the treasures for himself is unlikely to honor other kings with gifts, and hope for a treaty is
Generosity plays a large role in Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, particularly to the kings and their successors. Much emphasis is placed on a king’s ability—and willingness—to provide for his people; if he did, his people would know that “he was a good king” (l. 862). Kings would often reward their most prodigious warriors, and receiving gifts and gold was seen as a sign of respect and honor, as well as an indication of skill. If a king is unwilling to share his bounty, however, he is often labeled as greedy, bloodthirsty, and tyrannical. Generosity seems to be linked quite closely with kingship, as is demonstrated through Hrothgar’s ample gifts to his own subjects, Beowulf’s generosity towards …show more content…
At Hygelac’s death, Beowulf takes the throne, and is regarded by the narrator as a good protector of the Geats’ kingdom, having “ruled it well/ for fifty winters, [growing] old and wise/ as warden of the land” (ll. 2208-2210). However, when the dragon begins to attack the Geats, setting fire to the people’s land and burning the mead-hall, Beowulf is convinced that “he must have thwarted the ancient ordinance of the eternal Lord, broken His commandment” (ll. 2329-2331); this echoes Hrothgar’s hope for Beowulf to follow God’s path of humility and generosity, and to beware the “trap” that lies in covetousness and resentment. Beowulf’s ultimate downfall can be explained by his almost prophetic statement before his battle with the dragon: “I shall win the gold/ by my courage, or else mortal combat, / doom of battle, will bear your lord away” (ll.2535-2537). Because Beowulf’s ultimate goal is to win the gold or die in the attempt, he is succumbing to exactly the things Hrothgar warned him about before he took the throne: greed and pride. This may also be the reason for the downfall of the Geats after Beowulf’s funeral pyre has been lit: Wiglaf, the young warrior named king of the Geats after Beowulf, also falls prey to greed and pride when faced with the dragon’s hoard; he “filled his arms with flagons and plates, / anything he wanted; and took the standard also, / most brilliant of banners” (ll. 2775-2777). A king who takes the treasures for himself is unlikely to honor other kings with gifts, and hope for a treaty is