Beowulf

Heroism

At its root, Beowulf is a story about a hero. But not just that, Beowulf embodies many heroic ideals commonly found in the middle ages, centering on bravery, strength, and honor. Beowulf is inhuman in his strength, but he is wise and just as well. He does not get in unnecessary fights or purposefully pick on those less strong than he is; instead he uses his strength to defend those weaker than himself. Heroes such as Beowulf are very common in legends and myths, and they adhere to a strict code of honor. In this sense, Beowulf is a very typical hero of ancient culture.

Kings and Lineage

In the feudal era, kings were of utmost importance to society. They won their positions by being the strongest warrior in the land. An ideal king was strong and would be able to protect their people from other violent influences and wars. In Beowulf, the first great warrior king of Denmark was Scyld, and from him many generations of kings were born. Lineage was very important to everybody, and many knew others not only by their name but by their father's name as well. Beowulf's father, for instance, although already deceased by the time the poem begins, is repeatedly brought up in conversation and his good reputation is added to Beowulf's.

Monsters

In Beowulf's world, monsters threatening the peace of humanity abound. Monsters serve as a way for heroes to show their strength and gain a reputation by slaying as many strong monsters as possible. The poem is divided up into three major fights in which Beowulf faces Grendel, Grendel's mother, and finally a terrifying dragon. According to the narrator, Grendel and his mother are both descendants of Cain along with all the monsters in the rest of the world. In this perspective, these fictional monsters represent the twisted and warped parts humanity that the heroes must fight against.

Weapons

What would a hero be without a legendary weapon? In Beowulf, special attention is given to impressive weapons, especially swords. During his second fight with Grendel's mother, another warrior named Unferth lends Beowulf his family sword, passed down through the generations. Later, Beowulf finds a legendary sword used by giants that was said never to have lost a battle. The weapons, it seems, have just as much to their reputation as the heroes who wield them. Although Beowulf proves that he is a hero without the use of a weapon when he faces Grendel completely unarmed in order to gain more glory.

Treasure

One of the benefits of going around slaying monsters was acquiring rare and ancient treasures. Either taken from the monster's lair or given as payment, treasure was a very important aspect of Beowulf's story. Beowulf is rewarded with great treasures for defeating both Grendel and his mother. However, he does not keep the treasure for himself but gives it freely to his kinsman Hygelac. Valuable treasures were passed down in families and served as important heirlooms in society. After Beowulf slew the dragon, he was thankful that he would leave so much treasure for his people as his legacy. In many respects, the value of treasure was not in the gold and jewels but rather in reputation and history.

Paganism

Although the narrator of Beowulf is Christian, there is still a definite influence of paganism throughout the stories in the poem. When Hrothgar and his people become terrorized by Grendel, the wise men convene and send offering to the gods in order to appease them. Even Grendel and the other monsters have roots in ancient pagan culture, although a Christian spin is put on them by explaining them as the descendants of Cain. The culture of heroes and slaying monsters is definitely from the old world of Scandinavia.

Christianity

Although the original myths did not include Christian influences, the anonymous writer who penned the poem added Christianity throughout the legends. The characters themselves rarely mention The Lord or refer to the Christian religion; the narrator, however, frequently interjects with observations about the actions and motivations of the characters, painting them in a good or bad light based on how much they coincide with Christian morals and values. There are many points where the Christian narrator seems to struggle with equating the old stories with the new way of looking at the world.

Gender

The middle ages were a time of very strict gender roles. Men took the role of powerful protector, and women gentle housekeepers. The poem touches on the issue of gender briefly by comparing Hygelac's queen, Hygd, with an ancient queen who was arrogant and violent. The narrator makes it clear that the ideal woman is gentle, beautiful and wise. The most interesting case in Beowulf is Grendel's mother, a swamp demon who has lost all semblance of femininity and is considered a warped being. She takes on a very active, masculine role in avenging her son and is eventually punished for it by Beowulf.

Water

In Beowulf, water is the symbol of ancient and unknown things. Both Grendel and his mother came from the swamp, which is reminiscent of the primordial waters in ancient creation myths. Hrothgar warns Beowulf that the bottom of the swamp waters has never been explored. Beowulf, being the hero, makes it down to the bottom while fighting off numerous sea monsters. Under water, he does not have his full strength and it is almost as if the water weakens him. Later, when the dragon dies, the warriors push its body off a cliff and into the water below.

Light

Just as water signifies ancient places and darkness, light continually acts throughout the poem as a signifier of God and heroism. When Beowulf kills Grendel's mother, a light shines out through the dark waters allowing Beowulf to find Grendel's body. The narrator makes many references to God being associated with light, and monsters with darkness. Even the dragon dwells in a vast underground cave and only after it is defeated can the warriors explore the cavern using torches and golden banners to light their way.