Summary:
Uses quotes from the epic poem "Beowulf" to discuss the character of Beowulf, his motives and his success or lack of it as a king.
"Purge Herot And your ship will sail home with its treasure-holds/ full."(661-662). This is what the Danish King, Hrothgar, says to Beowulf. Beowulf is the son of Edgetho. Beowulf is a warrior and the leader of the Geats. Treasure and wealth are exactly what drive Beowulf throughout his life and when he becomes the King of the Geats. There are certain qualities that a good king must have. The book uses Shild to show what a perfect King does and the qualities that he has. Shild is a former King of the Danes. The book opens with Shild as the King and the author speaks of the qualities that he portrays. The book also talks about the precautions that Shild takes for the future of his people. There are certain qualities that a good king portrays, such as Shild, that Beowulf does not have. The first quality of a good King, that Beowulf does not exhibit, is concern about the future of his people. Beowulf's lack of concern leads into another flaw in his being King, not producing an heir to the throne. A good King always considers the consequences of his actions such as the consequences of going to war. He could ultimately die. Beowulf fails to consider what could happen to his people as a result of his constant need to increase his fame by fighting. Another flaw in Beowulf is his need to fight to acquire treasure for himself, not for the good of the people. Beowulf is not a good King because he wants to acquire fame and wealth only for himself, not for his people.
Beowulf does not want any other person to acquire fame equal to, or above his, so he does not conceive an heir to the throne for the good of his people. Beowulf is not at all concerned with the future of the Geats. A good King, such as Shild, would conceive a child for the people. "And he gave them more than his glory, conceived a son for the Danes,..."(12-13). This refers to the Danes great leader, Shild, who produces an heir to the throne. This shows the importance of having a set leader for the future. Shild has a son, by the name of Beo. Beowulf is unconcerned with producing a son, to be the future King of the Geats. Producing an heir would leave the Geats with no questions as to whom the new King shall be, in the event that Beowulf does die. There would be a smooth transition from one King, to another King. If Beowulf were to die, without a son, there could potentially be a power struggle to find out who the next King will be.
Beowulf does not fight for his people, he fights to acquire treasure for himself. "And now I shall fight For this treasure, fight with both hand and sword." (2509-2510). A key part to this line is when Beowulf says that he will fight for the treasure. These words, directly out of Beowulf's mouth, prove that Beowulf is only concerned with increasing his personal wealth. Beowulf does not say that he will fight for his people, which is exactly what a good King would fight for. A good King is more concerned with his people than anything else. Beowulf puts himself before his people, which a good King would never do.
Beowulf is concerned about increasing his fame despite the consequences. Stupidly, Beowulf decides to fight the dragon guarding all of the stolen treasure. This is extra foolish because he is the King. This is a terrible idea because there is no set King for the Geats if Beowulf were to die. It just so happens that Beowulf does die and the Geats do not have a set leader. It is obvious that Beowulf does not care about his people. "The Geats/ Deserved revenge; Beowulf, their leader/ And Lord, began to plan it..."(2335-2337). Beowulf plans for the battle, but does not plan on the consequences. All he thought about was increasing his fame, after he hopefully defeats the dragon. He did defeat the dragon, but died afterwards due to the battle. If Beowulf were a good King, he would have consider this outcome before battling the dragon.
Beowulf is a failure as a King. He has no business ruling any substantial amount of people. He is extremely selfish. His only concern is directed towards acquiring personal wealth and fame. "I am old, now,/ But I will fight again, seek fame still,..."(2512-2513). The key part is when Beowulf says that he will seek fame still. This is significant because it shows that Beowulf is not only concerned with gaining fame now, but he always has been. He is unconcerned with the future of his people, the Geats. Beowulf thought that in order for himself to be viewed as a good King, he must be extremely wealthy and famous. He does not illustrate any of the qualities that a good King does, therefore he is not a good King.
This is the complete article, containing 837 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
