The story of “Beowulf” gives insight into the Anglo-Saxon ideals of conduct. The ideals of allegiance to king, belief in fate, and love of glory all are portrayed in different ways throughout the story. People quickly show their allegiance to the lord and king and their belief in fate, while they may secretly hide their love of glory by indirectly bragging about themselves.
Allegiance to lord and king plays a large role in how the story of “Beowulf” unfolds. In order for someone to be a true man, they must fully respect and abide by the king and his orders. For example, Hrothgar took the throne of the Danes, and the comrades and kinsmen immediately upholded him. “The Danes to such glory that comrades and kinsmen/Swore by his sword, and young …show more content…
Men in the story follow what their lord and king wants, as shown earlier, but many question why they are so devoted to satisfying the king. There is an idea that to live a noble life, a man must show his allegiance to his king. Many people have doubts about their intention though, believing they do it for glory, to be seen as a great among the people. Wise men in the story tell the others to be aware of their intention because no one else can check that. “Risking your lives for no reason/But the danger? All older and wiser heads warned you/Not to, but no one could check such pride.” ("Beowulf" 230-232). They may not have the right intention, but their love of glory overcomes what anything else they believe. Burton Raffel shows their love of glory and how they try to be seen as great among the people. People may not realize the connection, but when someone is riding a horse around, they seem to be seen as higher than people walking, physically and theoretically. “And then twelve of the bravest Geats rode their horses around the tower” (Raffel 27). This makes them sound more confident and stronger than others. This shows how they fight for glory secretly, without letting others know their intention because they don’t go around telling people they are better than them, but they brag about their
Allegiance to lord and king plays a large role in how the story of “Beowulf” unfolds. In order for someone to be a true man, they must fully respect and abide by the king and his orders. For example, Hrothgar took the throne of the Danes, and the comrades and kinsmen immediately upholded him. “The Danes to such glory that comrades and kinsmen/Swore by his sword, and young …show more content…
Men in the story follow what their lord and king wants, as shown earlier, but many question why they are so devoted to satisfying the king. There is an idea that to live a noble life, a man must show his allegiance to his king. Many people have doubts about their intention though, believing they do it for glory, to be seen as a great among the people. Wise men in the story tell the others to be aware of their intention because no one else can check that. “Risking your lives for no reason/But the danger? All older and wiser heads warned you/Not to, but no one could check such pride.” ("Beowulf" 230-232). They may not have the right intention, but their love of glory overcomes what anything else they believe. Burton Raffel shows their love of glory and how they try to be seen as great among the people. People may not realize the connection, but when someone is riding a horse around, they seem to be seen as higher than people walking, physically and theoretically. “And then twelve of the bravest Geats rode their horses around the tower” (Raffel 27). This makes them sound more confident and stronger than others. This shows how they fight for glory secretly, without letting others know their intention because they don’t go around telling people they are better than them, but they brag about their