Hrothgar In Beowulf

Then there is King Hrolf Kraki who shows us an example of what was a truly great king. King Hrolf has most of the honorable traits of that time that allowed him to obtain his leader ship along with his fame. Hrolf was for the most part successful in his battles due to being able to gather up many noble warriors who were called “King Hrolf’s Champions” He treated these mean with a certain brotherhood that isn’t really shown by the other kings in the Saga. This appears to be an important trait for him to have during this time and it works in his favor. As more men heard about how he honored his champions, they were attracted towards him which allowed him to build a decent sized “army” of warriors. An example of this happening is when Svipdag told his king that he was leaving because he wanted “to look for a king who will honour” (Pg. 30) him and his brothers more. Although King Hrolf Kraki had many honorable traits he too was flawed like most people. One mistake

Over time, the individuals within Herot have become aware of the evils and menacing conditions that have sprung from Grendel’s and his mother environment. Unfortunately, Beowulf’s boastful attitude and past war experiences with numerous creatures has led him to undermine dangers of the lair. During Hrothgar’s speech to Beowulf, Hrothgar uses figurative language, vivid imagery, and displeasing syntax to demonstrate how Grendel’s environment is filled with treachery, hellish components, and danger, creating a sense of fear and concern for Beowulf, which will allow him to develop a humble attitude. The poem provides a description on how creatures that possess superior qualities, similar to Beowulf, do not survive in Grendel’s lair. Hrothgar uses distasteful syntax and provides vivid examples to assert how creatures that contain superior characteristics and/or qualities are tarnished by the menacing environment.

Oscar Wilde once said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” For some people, this is true, whereas others squander their time and contribute nothing to society. As for the three characters in Grendel, The Shaper, Hrothgar, and Beowulf, their lives do have a meaning. The Shaper provides a solidification between ideas and man; Hrothgar offers a sense of leadership and ambition to his fellow men and Beowulf proves his is merely a mindless killing machine.

Hrothgar conserves his power through allies that branch out from his own meadhall. He conquered these other meadhalls to create a larger, more organized establishment of power. His system to prevent wasteful fighting included the allied meadhalls to give tribute to Hrothgar after having been defeated by him.

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.

Beowulf also came from royal families. Hrethel is King of Geatland and Beowulf's mother's father, his maternal grandfather. Though Beowulf's mother is never named in the epic, we know she was Hrethel's daughter. Hrethel has four children, three sons Hygelac, Herebeald, and Haethycn and Beowulf's mother. His oldest son follows him as king. Hygelac is king of the Geats during Beowulf's time, and Beowulf's uncle. He is the oldest son of Hrethel. Hygelac married Hygd and they have a son named Heardred, who becomes king of Geatland when Hygelac dies. Though Hygd offers the crown to Beowulf, he declines to his cousin Heardred, saying the son of Hygelac should be king. Heardred took the throne that Beowulf refused. Unfortunately, he was killed in

Grendel is a horrible beast who massacres king Hrothgar’s people, but he does respect his ability to command his people. Hrothgar is an older man who has grown his empire's wealth and its military. He has no eligible successors and so he must maintain his throne until his two sons Unferth and Hrethric are of age. Hrothgar does this with several methods like marriage, ring-giving, and Beowulf. The choices Hrothgar makes is the reason he is seen as good king and that is why Grendel despises him enough to murder.

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

Frequently, throughout the story of Beowulf, the attributes of a good king or leader are discussed, illustrated through retellings of epic tales about men who had come before Beowulf and Hrothgar’s time. Hrothgar, an old man in the story and a wise and well-respected king, has much advice to offer to the younger Beowulf. He sees greatness in the warrior but is eager to caution him against the mistakes made by others before. These stories serve as vehicles to express what traits were desired in a leader at the time, and figuring foremost among them are a lack of pride and generosity to one’s people. Through generosity is presented as an ideal stemming from the old Germanic culture of gift giving, interestingly, it and pride also tie into Christian ideals.

Furthermore, Hrothgar's susceptibility to the corrosive effects of pride adds another layer to his humanity. His past glories and victories contribute to a sense of pride, blinding him to the upcoming ultimatum that threatens the safety of his kingdom. This flaw, a common human trait, illustrates how having a big ego can cloud judgment and hinder effective leadership. Hrothgar, the venerable king in "Beowulf," shows many positive and human-like traits that contribute to his character's forwardness As the wise and respected ruler of the Danes, Hrothgar is a beacon of wisdom, guiding his kingdom with a great perspective and positive hand. His generosity and hospitality are well appreciated, creating an atmosphere of friendship and loyalty among his subjects.

Beowulf and other kings in his story such as Hrothgar and Hygelac show a kind of compassion that is not typical of these male stereotypes. These manly kings are introspective and have deep compassion for their people. The only ruler that is shown as ruthless in the entire poem is considered an antagonist. Some examples of these compassionate traits are how Hrothgar shows clear emotion over the deaths of his comrades at the hands of Grendel, and how Beowulf shows this introspection when he talks about his inner feelings about dying and when he later accepts his

The first division of the story begins with peace or, more accurately, non-violence between Grendel and the Danes, until there is a precipitating event causing this equilibrium to be disrupted. This event is Hrothgar's construction of Heorot, because it is the mirth in this mead hall that causes Grendel to rise from the mere. The motion associated with this rising from the mere is upward, and, thus, the up/down balance is broken. The result is a twelve-year reign of terror during which Grendel viciously attacks the Danish people. Eventually, the hero Beowulf comes to the aid of the Danes and battles with Grendel. In the fight, the hero rips an arm from Grendel and the monster flees to his cave under the mere; the movement is downward here.

Beowulf, the longest epic poem from the Anglo-Saxon period, has a protagonist named Beowulf. A hero of the Geats and forthcoming king, the title character comes to the aid of Hrothgar, king of the Danes, whose kingdom was under attack by a monster known as Grendel. Both are great kings, wise and noble but what truly makes a king great? Is it the accolades or honors that one receives or does it go beyond that?

Hrothgar, known for his wisdom and guidance in his early age, is the sole king of the Danes. After ascending slowly to power, Hrothgar constructed a limitless kingdom. As the king of the Danes, Hrothgar is one of Grendel’s main obstacles but is seen as a minor character to Grendel. Grendel has frequently recounted his war with the mortals towards the end as a private crusade between Hrothgar and himself. Hrothgar kingdom thrives on the ethics of morality and justice, which the Shaper’s enlightening songs further establish. During his younger years, Hrothgar aided the Scyldings so that it can become a formidable military and public stronghold, symbolized by the rise of his amazing mead-hall, Heorot. It is described as more a palace, Heorot

The king of Danes, Hrothgar, was first introduced as an accomplished and wise king. He comes to be well known as a young king when he protected Beowulf's now departed father, Ecgtheow. Hrothgar wergild peace with Ecgtheow's enemies so that the bloody feud would end. With Hrothgar doing this generous deed to help Ecgtheow and his kingdom out Beowulf devotes his assistance in the beginning of the poem. One thing that makes Hrothgar a good king is that he always seems to stay true to his word, as is told at the beginning, “the king kept well his pledge and promise to deal out gifts, rings at the banquet” (53-55). It was clear that Hrothgar was an exceptional military leader with his bravery and strength but he is aged now and cannot fight the same as he used to. The Danes are then faced with an evil and wicked monster, Grendel, who terrorizes his realm. Beowulf asks Hrothgar if he could fight this battle for him to pay back his family debt and Hrothgar agreed. Hrothgar makes a promise to reward Beowulf if he succeeds in killing the monster Grendel. He says, “For his gallant courage I’ll load him with gifts…. shall know not want of treasure or wealth