In order to achieve understanding of the quintessential hero narrative, one need not look further than the depicted deeds of the eternally glorious Germanic hero Beowulf. The 3,182 lines of Old English poetry containing Beowulf’s tale are not just filled with bloody battles with evil incarnate—and his mother—but rather the sociological concerns of the culture at that time. As an epic, Beowulf communicates these concerns through Beowulf’s ideal behaviors of immense generosity and undeniable loyalty to his brethren. Such behaviors result in Beowulf’s undeniable status as a model warrior and noble king. In contrast, the later Nordic hero and revered dragon-slayer, Sigurd of Saga of the Volsungs, does not earn everlasting glory as a result of his
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For a generous man to prosper, the text claims “a young man should practice…treasure-giving while under his father’s guidance, so that in years to come dear companions might stand by him” (Beowulf 21-21, 3). Beowulf’s generosity and sacrifice allows him to establish strong bonds and kinship with his men, which in turn leads to his survival throughout his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Each challenge presents a spectrum of loyalty demonstrated by Beowulf’s men, from Hrothgar’s initial unquestionable faith in Hrothgar’s ability to slay Grendel to Wiglaf’s intervention during Beowulf’s death throes with the dragon. This final scene with Wiglaf contains insight into the integral need for nurturing bonds between brethren, specifically when Wiglaf assists Beowulf in the mortal wounding of the dragon. His actions represent the way “[a] man ought to behave…when a thane is in need” (Beowulf 2765-66, 167), while the other ten men who accompanied Beowulf to the dragon’s cave did “not dare to wield spears when their liege lord was in dire need” in order to preserve their own lives (Beowulf 2909-10, 175). The cowardice of these men reflect little of Beowulf’s honor, as it is through the heroic actions of Wiglaf—who understands that “death is better than a life of shame” (Beowulf 2952, 177)—that the significant weight of reverence owed to King Beowulf …show more content…
In killing the dragon for the sake of societal order and the survival of his people, Beowulf becomes a savior figure and is able to develop from a young warrior—possessing the courage, strength and cunning similar to Sigurd—to a model king. Conversely, Sigurd is unable to retain his position as a renowned leader because he has not obtained loyal followers like Wiglaf who are willing to carry out courageous and powerful deeds in the name of their leader. Ultimately, the stories of each leader impart essential lessons and moral guidelines for their readers. With Beowulf as the “man famous for battle…who pursued honor and never struck his hearth-companions”(Beowulf 2198-2201) and Sigurd as a man who took “great pleasure…in test[ing] himself with great deeds…and did not lack in courage and never knew fear” (Volsungs 73), both characters larger social purpose prevails throughout the ages and assist modern readers in cultivating a deeper understanding of the ages that came
For a generous man to prosper, the text claims “a young man should practice…treasure-giving while under his father’s guidance, so that in years to come dear companions might stand by him” (Beowulf 21-21, 3). Beowulf’s generosity and sacrifice allows him to establish strong bonds and kinship with his men, which in turn leads to his survival throughout his battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Each challenge presents a spectrum of loyalty demonstrated by Beowulf’s men, from Hrothgar’s initial unquestionable faith in Hrothgar’s ability to slay Grendel to Wiglaf’s intervention during Beowulf’s death throes with the dragon. This final scene with Wiglaf contains insight into the integral need for nurturing bonds between brethren, specifically when Wiglaf assists Beowulf in the mortal wounding of the dragon. His actions represent the way “[a] man ought to behave…when a thane is in need” (Beowulf 2765-66, 167), while the other ten men who accompanied Beowulf to the dragon’s cave did “not dare to wield spears when their liege lord was in dire need” in order to preserve their own lives (Beowulf 2909-10, 175). The cowardice of these men reflect little of Beowulf’s honor, as it is through the heroic actions of Wiglaf—who understands that “death is better than a life of shame” (Beowulf 2952, 177)—that the significant weight of reverence owed to King Beowulf …show more content…
In killing the dragon for the sake of societal order and the survival of his people, Beowulf becomes a savior figure and is able to develop from a young warrior—possessing the courage, strength and cunning similar to Sigurd—to a model king. Conversely, Sigurd is unable to retain his position as a renowned leader because he has not obtained loyal followers like Wiglaf who are willing to carry out courageous and powerful deeds in the name of their leader. Ultimately, the stories of each leader impart essential lessons and moral guidelines for their readers. With Beowulf as the “man famous for battle…who pursued honor and never struck his hearth-companions”(Beowulf 2198-2201) and Sigurd as a man who took “great pleasure…in test[ing] himself with great deeds…and did not lack in courage and never knew fear” (Volsungs 73), both characters larger social purpose prevails throughout the ages and assist modern readers in cultivating a deeper understanding of the ages that came