Beowulf: The difference between a good king and a good warrior

The difference between a good king and a good warrior
Epic poems such as Beowulf, written by an unknown author comprised of the actions of a hero who shows greatness in his actions and plays a critical role in his immediate context. The situation is similar for Beowulf who has to fight dragons as a way of repaying Hrothgar, the king of Dane for a good deed he did for Beowulf’s father. Nevertheless, the Beowulf story shows that there lies a great difference between a king and a hero.
There lies a difference between the king and a hero as they have different capacities. In Beowulf, King Hrothgar is in charge of many warriors, “So Hrothgar’s men lived happily in his hall” (Beowulf 15). The statement shows that Hrothgar as a king is now in charge of an entire army. Further, Hrothgar states that “I bought the end of Edgetho” (Line 204). The assertion shows that at a younger age, the King also played the role of a warrior to the people but the current position cannot allow him to fight.
Moreover, there lies a difference between a king and a hero since all a hero does is fight. “(Beowulf) Heard how Grendel filled nights with horror, and quickly commanded a boat filled out.” On hearing how the Grendel was causing havoc in Dane, Beowulf, a hero prepares to go and fight him off. Moreover, he asserts that “The days of my youths have been filled with glory” (Lines 142-143). Beowulf says these words to show King Hrothgar that he has fought and won in many battles.
Additionally, there lies a difference between a king and a hero as a king main duty is to protect his people.

In the story, the narrator states that “Hrothgar, their Lord, sat Joyless” (Line 44). The king is sorrowful when he sees how the dragon has killed his warriors. It also shows that he has failed to protect his people. Later on, the king of Dane says to Beowulf, “Let us toast your victories and talk of the future (Line 224). The statement emphasizes the role of the king in protecting his people he says this words to convince Beowulf to rescue the former’s people from Grendel the dragon that has killed most of the Danish soldiers (Ortiz 2)
It is also true in the difference between the King and a warrior as a warrior is strong while the king is frail. In the story, Beowulf is a strong man at the beginning, “And Stronger than anyone anywhere in this world” (Line 111). Line portrays Beowulf as the strongest man in the whole world hence an esteemed hero. However, towards the end of the story, Beowulf declares, “I am old, now …” (Line 608). The declaration shows that a hero fights when he is strong but then delegates the fighting in old age and sits there to organize his army of warriors to fight the territory’s enemy.
Finally, there is a difference between a king and a warrior as the two duties cannot be interchanged effectively. At the beginning of the story Beowulf boldly states that “That I, alone with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall” (Line 165-166). The statement is meant to show that as a strong young man, Beowulf is ready to take on his tasks. However, towards the end he says to his warriors, “I am old, now, but I will fight again, to seek fame still” (Line 608-609). From the statement, Beowulf who is now the King of the Geats tries to go back to his old fighting habits. Sadly, it does not end up well for him as he dies in the battle leaving his people fearful and without a king.
Conclusively, there is a difference between a king and a hero as their duties are different, they have different capabilities, motivations, and an interchange of their duties may be catastrophic as in the case of Beowulf.
Works Cited
Ortiz, Joseph, and Cheryl Powell. Theme Analysis Research Paper “Beowulf.” (2013).
SCUC. “The Anglo-Saxon Epic from Beowulf.” Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District, 2016, www.scuc.txed.net/webpages/cmatthews/files/beowulf.pdf.