Germanic Tribal Characterisitcs of Beowulf
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The epic poem of Beowulf represents a Germanic ideal of heroism and virtue important to the early tribes outside the Roman Empire. In this culture, men who faced difficult challenges, the strongest and bravest warriors, were exulted chieftains and often looked to for leadership. While many might consider Beowulf a proud and arrogant man, he was a hero to the Germanic tribes. The character of Beowulf embodies the very values and ideals of what a hero was to the Germanic peoples. Through his respect to kinship, bravery, honor, strength, and intelligence, Beowulf offers to Germanic men a model of a great warrior and leader, a model every man should strive to emulate.
Early Germanic social organization revolved first and foremost around kin and family, the first quality found in Beowulf. Early on in the story, Beowulf traveled from Geat to help the Danish king, Hrothgar, an old friend of Beowulfs father . Beowulfs father died when Beowulf was very young, so it is likely that Beowulf knew very little of his father, or his fathers friends like Hrothgar. Despite this fact, Beowulf realized that his fathers friend needed help desperately. Traveling far to his aid, Beowulf kept an alliance with Hrothgar that his father had made earlier. The fact that this event took place within the first section of the story shows how important alliances and respect of alliances of ones kin was to Germanic men. Beowulfs honoring of the friendships showed not only his respect to Hrothgar, but the ultimate respect he had for his father and what his father had done in his life. In addition, as seen in line 345, Beowulf refers to Hrothgar as “Halfdanes son. ” This shows how much respect the people of Beowulfs time had for leaders of the househould. Beowulf highly respected his familys traditions, as is evident in his aid to Hrothgar.
In addition to his honor, one of the outstanding qualities seen in Beowulf is his overwhelming bravery. He first demonstrated his great bravery by undertaking the task of helping Hrothgar defeat Grendel, a task undertaken of his own free volition. Upon Grendels defeat, Beowulf ventured out seeking Grendels mother, rather than lying in wait for Grendels mother. Facing many trials like the lake of burning fire infested with dangerous creatures, Beowulf showed no fear . In the second half of the story, Beowulf, even in his old age, realized his kingdom was in danger and sought the monster wreaking havoc on his land. Beowulf feared nothing and went willingly into any battle in which he was needed . This alludes to the Germanic value that this type of bravery was important. In Germanic society, it was the bravest and strongest soldiers in war that were exulted chieftains and leaders. However, as Beowulf demonstrates, bravery was not defensive, rather it was offensive. Brave men sought out their battles before their battles came to them, despite any fear, just as Beowulf had done with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the great dragon guardian of the treasure.
Perhaps complimentary to the Germanic ideal of bravery was the attribute of physical and mental strength, seen in