Beowulf As An Ideal Ruler

3 Pages 670 Words

“Behaviour that’s admired is the path to power among people everywhere” (20-25). This excerpt from the opening paragraph of Beowulf tells volumes about what makes an ideal ruler. To fully understand what makes Beowulf an ideal ruler it is important to look at how this specific culture defined the responsibilities of a ruler. As a result of the pagan culture that Beowulf is born out of an ideal ruler can be measured by his fulfillment of the heroic code. This code entailed strength, courage, and loyalty.
The Germanic tribes of the ninth century are pagan and because of this, have a culture much different from any other. Because the pagans didn’t believe in any concept of afterlife, a person was a measure of his heroic deeds. Beowulf’s culture had very strict guidelines that set forth the heroic codes one should live by to ensure there legacy live on after their body has died. "For every one of us, living in this world means waiting for our end. Let whoever can win glory before death. When a warrior is gone, that will be his best and only bulwark"(1385-139). Here Beowulf exemplifies the dark pagan outlook by essentially saying that living is nothing more than waiting to die if you don’t mark your existence with glory.
We already know Beowulf possesses strength, even before he showcases it in his battle with Grendel, “…all knew of my awesome strength. They had seen me bolstered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes” (415-418). Here, Beowulf is talking to King Hrothgar, who acknowledges that Beowulf has a reputation for his physical prowess. Then as the first example of Beowulf’s brut strength, he rips off Grendel’s arm, after fighting him unarmed.
Beowulf’s courage is also unquestionable throughout the entire story. He continually goes into battle fearing nothing, not even death, “Beowulf got ready, donned his w...