The Importance Of Authority In The Epic Of Beowulf

The poem Beowulf tells us several things about authority and what was expected of the aristocratic warrior of that era. It tells what actions should be taken in order for a warrior’s obligations to be meant. At the same time warriors have a certain way they were expected to interact and relate to one another. In order for this to happen a warrior must follow a hero’s code. It requires a warrior to be three things: loyal, respectful, and honorable. These three things are seen as the glue to holding one’s kingdom together in a time when there was no such thing as the modern day judicial system. A warrior’s duty was to protect their king and his kingdom from those who have come to conquer them. If a warrior is found to be worthy of these three things, then one day he could become king. Once he has reached this level, as the story’s hero Beowulf does, he must be a good king in …show more content…
He has been bestowed with great treasures from King Hrothgar for slaying Grendel and his mother. Once there he tells his King and Queen of his experiences in Denmark, he emphasizes the treasure that he has earned from the Danes as much as the poet does in his narration of the events. The poem shows that treasure is directly related to success in war and the accumulation of riches signifies a growth in honor. Most importantly, this treasure must continue to be redistributed. Hrothgar is a good king in this sense, because he is a very generous “ring-giver” and Beowulf a good retainer because he gives his king and queen over half of his rewards. This is show in the lines of the poem when Beowulf says, “Thus, the king acted with due custom. I was paid and recompensed completely, given full measure and the freedom to choose form Hrothgar’s treasures by Hrothgar himself. These King Hygelac, I am happy to preset to you as gifts. It is still upon your grace that all favors depend” (Beowulf