Beowulf

Beowulf was the Geatish hero of the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) poem titled Beowulf. The dating of the poem has become a subject of debate, because the poem survived in a single manuscript from the 11th century, yet the composition suggested a much earlier date. The proposed dates vary between the 7th century and the 10th century, during the time when Old English language of the Anglo-Saxon dialect was spoken.

Beowulf was the son of Ecgtheow and the unnamed daughter of Hrethel. Beowulf was brought up by Hrethel, king of Geatland. Beowulf became thane of his uncle Hygelac, who became king after the death of Hygelac's second brother.

His name suggests that it may mean "bear". Like a bear, he could crush his enemy. He killed a Frankish warrior, Dæghrefn, in a bear-hug. Beowulf was known for his powerful grip, as it was seen when he fought the Grendel. The poem shows the hero as the strongest and bravest man in the world.

Beowulf went to Heorot on the Zeeland island to aid the Danish king, Hrothgar, to rid him of the monster Grendel, who had been killing Hrothgar's thanes and warriors.

After his fight with Grendel, Beowulf was compared with the Norse hero Sigmund (Sigemund in the Beowulf), who was a slayer of dragons in this poem (but not in the Norse myth).

Hrothgar rewarded Beowulf with many gifts, after killing Grendel and the monster's mother. Hrothgar would have even adopted Beowulf and made the hero his successor, had his wife not convinced him to allow their sons to inherit the kingdom.

The poem often called him wise or sagely, but to modern scholars, he was more rash and reckless. In his youth it was understandable that he was reckless when he had no responsibility, except to gain glory through heroism. But fifty years after killing Grendel, he was a king, and a ruler has a duty to his people and kingdom. A real king wouldn't have taken on such an undertaking. Well, actually there was no one brave enough to hunt a dragon. Beowulf was still reckless, willing to fight the dragon without aid, but his death probably brought ruin to his people.

The Geats had previously fought two wars, one against the Frisians, and then another against the Swedes. With his death, the Geats' former enemies were likely to attack his kingdom, once they knew he was dead. There is no doubt about Beowulf's bravery on the battlefield and fighting against monsters, though I doubted the wisdom of confronting enemies without weapons. He had saved his people from the dragon, only to sacrifice his entire kingdom to hostile neighbours. So as you can see, he was less than a wise king.