Hrothgar's Loyalty In Beowulf

Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, was another one of the many characters within Beowulf. He served as a wise and fatherly figure that Beowulf paid his loyalty to in payment towards the past. Back in days in Hrothgar’s time of glory, he had built a luxuriously decorated hall, known as the Heorot Hall centered within his kingdom. This hall is covered in gold and fine tapestries, only to fall downwards to a dark place as it became known for raiding disaster played continuously by a demon. Here within the Danes, soldiers, were spotted by this monster named Grendel who dwelled in the night where “...his glee was demonic, / picturing the mayhem: / before morning he would rip life from limb and devour them...” (730-732) The fact that he could feed …show more content…
Unlike the fighting spirit of Beowulf, Grendel shows the pleasure of killing others, showing the deed as something he does entirely for himself. This act of selfishness is what titles the beast as a temporary threat, which is where Beowulf comes to play permanently removing Grendel’s existence by fighting for the good of fulfilment and promised goods. This encourage to fight on being something that powers Beowulf, being a much different case for Grendel who shows his limits through evil. Beowulf wins the battle against Grendel in a fair match, where he “...the Geat placed complete trust / in his strength of limb and the Lord’s favor.” (669-670) Presenting the acceptance of Beowulf’s future against someone with a darker goal set, which in turn only makes him stronger. Afterall, those who have no true goal, can fall back to fate’s decision, hence Beowulf’s success with nothing to really fear. Those who have nothing to fear, have the ability to take risks without losing courage. Those who cannot lose courage meaning they cannot live in