Identifying the Theme of the Epic Poem Beowulf

‘
Close Reading to Beowulf
Name
Course
Institution
Date
The epic poem Beowulf is one of the oldest in medieval European literature where Beowulf faces Grendel, the ogre, and there are battles, warriors, and numerous creatures. Beowulf, the warrior, fights for the good of all, and he is a brave battle-hardened leader who kills various ferocious beats. The Danish king reigned during the day, while Grendel reigned during the night and terrorized the people. One of the main themes in the poem is bravery, strength, and courage in warriors. The heroes abide by the heroic code and fight courageously to celebrate when they die with heroism. Beowulf is a heroic ideal, and the poem mentions warriors and heroes who are well respected in the poet’s imagined society as they are worthy of praise.
The warrior is a hero among heroes, and while he became a king, later on, he is celebrated for being a heroic warrior in battle. The poet writes, “In the place of his pyre, mighty and glorious, since he was of men the most worthy warrior throughout the wide world, while he could enjoy the wealth” (3097-3099). The passage emphasizes the place of warriors and heroes in society, and they are described with the words’ might,’ “glorious,” and “worthy.” Warriors and heroes did not have to prove themselves to the people as they already knew they fought and won on behalf of the people. Yet, the heroic warriors played an essential role in protecting the people from monsters terrorizing them. The warriors sought to help Beowulf, but their weapons could not help defeat the beast, and Beowulf had to destroy it without help.
Hrothgar, the good Danish king in Heorot, placed his trust and destiny in the hands of Beowulf, who had newly arrived in his kingdom that had been ravaged by the monster Grendel. Beowulf, the national folk hero, has the strength and bravery to fight for what is right and protects the people that he puts himself in danger to save all the people. Beowulf offers services to King Hrothgar out of his own free will, and he alludes to do doing this as people knew about all his great strength Beowulf felt the urge to help the king as part of his purpose to help the people and defeat evil as was the case with other heroes. ...