Examples Of Leadership In Beowulf

Hrothgar’s final piece of advice for Beowulf brings all of his previous suggestions together to culminate in a useful code that Beowulf can utilize to rule. Hrothgar said, “O flower of warriors, beware of that trap (greed). Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride” (121). Throughout Beowulf’s tenure as leader of the Geats, his rule was successful and created a time of peace for the Geat people. No opposition dared to fight the powerful army of the Geats led by Beowulf. All that he accomplished was valuable to his colony, and above all, he provided them with security. Beowulf never put himself first and he used all of his resources to better the city-state. When Beowulf’s death was announced to his court, the messenger explains how the future might change drastically for the Geat people without Beowulf’s leadership. After the past wars with the Swedes, “they will cross our borders and attack in force when they find out Beowulf is dead...when our warriors fell and we were undefended he kept our coffers and our kingdom safe. He worked for the people, but as well as that he behaved like a hero” (203). Beowulf was so remarkable a leader when it came to the security of the Geat people that without him they feel that their chances of continuing to grow and prosper their society are slim to none. Hrothgar’s advice helped Beowulf manage his power by means of peace, truth, and justice. Beowulf’s leadership qualities were only

Beowulf greatly cared about his warriors, and the warriors greatly respected their beloved leader and hero. Beowulf was also humble and not arrogant at all. After each time Beowulf would complete a grand feat, he would tell his end of the story with humility and humility. The respectable leader would then give the rightful credit to his warriors, who would help him accomplish great feats. Beowulf was also extremely famous for his great accomplishments.

Beowulf demonstrates characteristics of a king because he is fearless. He isn’t just strong and dreamy like the average king we see on television, he is extremely courageous. For example, Beowulf traveled the sea to ask Hrothgar permission to battle Grendel. After his victory with Grendel, Grendel’s mother seeks revenge for her son so she targets one of Hrothgar’s closest friends. Hrothgar asks Beowulf to kill Grendel’s mother. Beowulf

Beowulf exhibits many obvious heroic qualities, such as his strength and confidence in battle. These along with more subtle diplomatic actions serve to define him as both a great warrior and leader.

A huge part of being a charismatic leader is contributing acknowledgement to who ever deserves it. Also to not subsidize all pride to him self, but Beowulf was not that kind. In the story Beowulf states, “No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster. No one could try. And this dragon's treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death!” pg. 63”. This quote illustrates Beowulf desires all the glory to him self and he contemplates that no one else

Now let's consider Beowulf's leadership. Beowulf ruled the Geat people for 50 years before he died after defeating the dragon. Beowulf does not give much insight into the protagonists' qualities as a leader or his specific actions while king. Nevertheless, the author reveals that his people were extremely sorrowful at his death, and they repeatedly declared that he was a good king. But perhaps Beowulf's virtues as a leader are not so cut-and-dried, for Beowulf's death left the Geat people in dire straits.

Beowulf’s strength is beyond any of human comparison and has allowed him to accomplish tasks that would have obliterated lesser men and gain renown throughout the world. Beowulf’s boasts of his strength are not to be received as prideful or egotistical but rather as a true representation of his power as Beowulf always fulfils his boasts. When Beowulf pledges to vanquish Grendel, he does not take it lightly and tells Hrothgar and his wife, Wealhtheow, that “..I shall fulfil that purpose, prove myself with a proud victory or meet my death here in the mead-hall.”(636-638), showing that he is prepared to die, if needed, to defeat this hellish creature. Later that night, in his battle with Grendel, Beowulf showed his strength. “The Captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth… in all his days, he had never been clamped or cornered like this”(749-752,755-756). Beowulf’s strength surpassed that of even supernatural beings and allowed his to go on the offensive against a foe that had ravaged Heorot for years and thus allowed him to fulfill his boast. Beowulf power is brought out in his recitation of his deeds and again later actions against the mother of Grendel and a fire breathing dragon that threatens his home. In all of this fights, Beowulf is not seeking glory for himself, but

In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf embodies strength, intelligence, and courage which are all qualities that are still seen today in leaders. One important Anglo-Saxon characteristic is strength. Anglo-Saxon leaders must be able to protect their people and be seen as an idol of strength to their enemies. Strength was about how many places you can conquer and how many enemies you can take down. In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf is described as having the strength of thirty men.

to society. Beowulf does not fail his people. Even if he felt like giving up because the battle seemed tough, he never did. That signifies a firm and powerful leader. Beowulf knows what he must do to satisfy his society and he never backs down.

In the fantasy world found within the story of Beowulf; Hrothgar, the wise king of the Danes, offers Beowulf some important lessons of leadership. Hrothgar, recognizing Beowulf’s nobility and strength, talks to him about how he should act to be a good ruler when he becomes king. The characteristics of good leadership that Hrothgar mentions still hold true today, through people like politicians, and business executives. Hrothgar’s sermon not only provides an insight into what leaders like these should do, it aims to bring to light what leaders should not do.

A great leader is able to recognize his limitations and how to overcome them. In the case of Beowulf, King Hrothgar foreshadows what is to come for Beowulf if he continues down the same path a previous king had gone. In his sermon, Hrothgar informs Beowulf of Heremod, a “pariah king who cut himself off from his own kind” (McArthur). Hrothgar says that God “allows the mind of a man of distinguished birth to follow its bent,” and because of this, cruel and greedy Heremod “forgets that it will ever end for him,” and “he ignores the shape of things to come” (McArthur). Warning Beowulf not to become like Heremod, Hrothgar advises him to “not give way to pride,” and that “for a brief while your strength is in bloom

Based on the readings, I believe that a good hero does not make a good leader. After reading through Beowulf and Hamlet I found that many of the characteristics that made certain characters’ hero’s, did not allow them to become successful leaders. Although many people might think that the words “hero” and “leader” are interchangeable, I found that not to be the case. In the first example, Beowulf suffered from an obsession with personal accomplishment and fame which prevented him from leading his people in a proper way. Hamlet, on the other hand, was a different kind of hero who possessed flaws that stopped him from becoming a good leader. Examples of good hero’s not being good leaders occur in real life as well, not just literature. Many examples of this happening occur in sports where certain players have loads of talent, but no leadership skills.

More in depth, there were prominent characteristics that made Beowulf who he was. Overall, his greatest strength that he had was his bravery. He was one of the bravest soldiers that has lived. First of all, I always

Beowulf’s most seen quality in this epic is his confidence. The scene that most directly shows his confidence is his famous boast. “So, every elder and experienced councilman/ among my people supported my resolve/ to come here to you, King Hrothgar, / because all knew of my awesome strength. / They had seen me boltered in the blood of enemies/ when I battled and bound five beasts, / raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea/ slaughtered sea-brutes…” (Heaney lines 415-422). Beowulf’s boast is said publically, which shows an inspirational sense of confidence to defeat Grendel. The boast also demonstrates Beowulf’s courage and brave characteristics that makes him appear very heroic. Furthermore, Beowulf’s promise to kill Grendel to the Danes is a confident and risky thing to do, but Beowulf is able to pull it off. In Forbes article, it states that good leaders need to “deliver on [their] promises. Which our hero does that very night, killing the beast by ripping him apart ‘The monster’s whole/ body was in pain, a tremendous wound/ appeared on his shoulder’” (Forbes).

In the 21st century a good leader is someone who is courageous, understanding, selfless, fights for other and not themselves and not a person who has a big ego. Throughout history the meaning or definition of a good leader has changed much. In the Anglo – Saxon time period, Beowulf, was considered to be a great leader and a hero according to his people, for risking his life and saving them from evil monsters. But in today’s world and lifestyle and how much things and times have changed, Beowulf would not be considered to be a good leader or a hero.