Theme Of Community In Beowulf

To be a part of a community is to have a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, or goals. The definition of community can change based on the people involved, but it always has a common factor. In Norse culture, the concept of community is essential to their way of life. People were separated into clans, and everyone of each clan was treated as importantly as the king. Those adopted into the clan were treated as family members, and seen as a serious and rare occasion. Community is a main theme in Beowulf because it makes the clans stronger and more united, creates bonds while bringing the characters together. Beowulf is adopted into the the Danes as Hrothgar's son, because of his positive impact …show more content…
142 Line 1259), who hadn't even been known to have existed at all. This served to weaken the community with fear, being partially blamed on Beowulf for not stopping her. When she came, she didn't kill many, but mostly wanted to retrieve her son's arm, and take revenge for him. After she left, Hrothgar then gave Beowulf the task of hunting her down and killing her, promising him riches and his own kingdom if he could complete the task. Beowulf agreed, not for the promise of payment, but because he was a warrior and he had to reclaim his honor and the lives that had been lost. He tracked her down to her underwater, murky nest, where he was the only one brave enough to go underneath the water and battle her. They all relied on him, and that gave the clan a better sense of unity, all having a common goal. It was a difficult fight for Beowulf, having to hold his breath while battling, but this time he used weapons. After his first sword that he had received from Hrothgar was made ineffective, he found another and slew her with it. Seeing Grendel, still alive, in the corner of her lair, he beheads him and claims the head as his spoil. Above, his men feared that he died, seeing the blood well up on the surface of the swamp, but are enormously relieved when he emerges unscathed. Returning to the mead hall, they erupt into celebrations and gifts are rained upon …show more content…
If it hadn't been for him defeating Grendel and his mother, the clan would have weakened and eventually perished. If it also hadn't been for Beowulf's known prowess, the clansmen might have not had the hope that Beowulf could have defeated Grendel, and might not have banded together to help him fight. Without Beowulf's reputation, Hrothgar could have just laughed at him for being a silly warrior, wanting to fight something that nobody else had defeated before, not giving him the chance to win. A lot of the events that took place rely on their way of life, like the tight knit clan members and their idealistic warrior lifestyles. It also helped give birth to Beowulf's kingdom, given to him by Hrothgar, so new communities could be formed, and more bonds. Overall, the character of Beowulf has much more depth and importance than what may appear.
Beowulf tied the Danes clan together, even being from the Geats. At first, he mostly wanted to defeat the monster to add to his reputation, but soon enough, he was adopted into the clan and became an integral part. Being adopted is no light matter in Norse culture, and Beowulf being adopted served to strengthen their community in so many ways. Having the common goal of defeating Grendel and his mother served to unify and strengthen them. Their sense of community is one of the most important aspects that a human being can have, and plays a key role in