Why Is Gold Important In Beowulf

Beowulf is one of the most famous poems in old English; it consists of about three thousand lines and three major battles. Beowulf is a warrior from Geats who comes to the rescue of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes. Hrothgar’s land is being attacked by the monster, Grendel. Beowulf battles and defeats Grendel, killing him with his bare hands. Things get intense when Grendel’s mother decides to seek revenge and avenge her son’s untimely death. Beowulf ends up killing Grendel's mother in her liar with a sword that giants of a past time once used. Beowulf soon after returns home to Geats, and fifty years pass before he is called into battle once again. There is a dragon plaguing his people over stolen treasure and Beowulf has to come to the rescue. …show more content…
It signified happiness and fun after a hard day or war. In Beowulf, Grendel makes his first attack in the mead hall, making it quite a significant place in the story. Treasure is seen as a sign of bravery, talent, and victory in Beowulf. After every battle, it is taken by the winner as a token of remembrance in their great deed. Gold is portrayed as a sense of identity throughout the poem. If you have gold it is known you have done something worthy such as when Beowulf received gold from Hrothgar after killing Grendel and his mom. It also has a symbolic function, like when Beowulf says he would pass down his armor to his own son if he had one, which can even go into the loyalty and kinship realm of identity. Beowulf can be considered the an epic hero for many reasons. Epic heroes generally possess bravery, courage, selflessness, etc, all of which are attributes that can be found in Beowulf’s personal character. Epic heroes also protect their culture, which Beowulf does to the death. On the other hand, some may not consider him the ideal epic hero for other reasons. Many heroes live in prosperity in the older years, while Beowulf dies in battle and does not live