The Hero of Heorot: Beowulf's Immortality

In every genre of literature, authors create various themes to grasp the essence of their ideas. Although authors disclose their thoughts, many do so with sublime purposes. Presenting a common example of such intentions, Rosland Barthes considers the goal of literary work "to make the reader no longer a consumer, but a producer of a text" (Cohen 1). As if giving credence to Barthes' belief, Voltaire shares, "Le secret d'ennuyer set . . . de tout dire, or literally: The way to be a bore, for an author, is to say everything" (3). The "Beowulf" poet's literary conceptions appear to coincide with Barthes' and Voltaire's. The anonymous poet shares Beowulf's heroic deed while allowing the reader to determine the components of heroism.

Since the poet leaves the responsibility of defining heroism to the audience, the reader is compelled to look within to establish the elements of which heroes are comprised. Summarizing the virtues of a hero, Robert Green Ingersol declares: "When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death--this is heroism (Ingersol 360). In the unnamed poet's "Beowulf," the main character concurs with Ingersol's definition of a hero: Beowulf's will does defy his fear, his sense of duty throws the gauntlet down to fate and his honor scorns to compromise with death.

Making his will known to his people, Beowulf journeys to Heorot with the intentions of slaying Grendel. As Beowulf is united with Hrothgar, he informs the lord of Heorot he knows Grendel rebuffs weapons during attacks. Without fear, Beowulf reiterates his resolution, "with my grasp, I shall grapple with the enemy and fight for life, foe against foe ("Beowulf" 32). By refusing the benefit of sword and shield, Beowulf creates a parallel battle; one in which neither he nor Grendel holds n unfair advantage. Unafraid of the monster, Beowulf stands by his steadfast belief in fate, which "often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good" (34). In essence, Beowulf unveils his courage, not for glory to boast upon after the battle, but instead in an attempt to influence fate to allow him the victory if his death is not predestined.

Fate accompanies Beowulf as he encounters Grendel. Beowulf's will to be courageous is the means of his triumph in battle. Unknown to the warriors, Grendel had put to use a charm which makes "victory weapon's useless" (37). Unarmed, Beowulf conquers Grendel and is revered with a celebration in the mead-hall. As he is honored, Beowulf attributes his victory to "good will" which allows for courageous achievements (39).

While the celebration dwindles, several men resume their routine of remaining in the mead-hall overnight. However, tragedy strikes Heorot again. One of Hrothgar's most cherished noblemen dies from an attack when Grendel's mother comes to Heorot, fulfilling her vengeful duty (Cohen 7). Learning of his lord's loss, Beowulf acknowledges his duty to Hrothgar. He vows, once again, to purge Heorot of evil. Throwing the gauntlet down to fate, Beowulf dresses in his war-gear. Fulfilling his destined duty as Hrothgar's thane, Beowulf overpowers Grendel's mother and returns to Heorot triumphant.

Hrothgar is mesmerized by Beowulf's insightful words at his departure. Remembering his duty to Hrothgar, Beowulf pledges his eagerness to "earn more of [Hrothgar's] heart's love" ("Beowulf" 50). Beowulf returns to his home land, carrying our his right and royal duty as king to his nation. Fifty years pass, and Beowulf maintains "the same moral dignity, the same equal and heroic heart in age that he held in youth" (Brooke 5).

In old age, Beowulf opposes the dragon and bravely accepts his duty to his kingdom. As he prepares to encounter the dragon, Beowulf proves his acceptance of this duty by advising his men to protect themselves. Alone, he charges the dragon's flames of hate. Only one of Beowulf's thanes perceives the responsibility of duty along with his lord. Wiglaf, the comprehending thane, arrives at Beowulf's side during the battle. Although Beowulf and Wiglaf complete Beowulf's duty and "felled the foe," fate has foreordained Beowulf's death. ("Beowulf" 62).

Accepting his duty to overcome the dragon brings Beowulf honor. When his sword breaks, and he realizes fate is not with him, Beowulf does not retreat from his stance. The honorable Beowulf perseveres in his battle. He lives, battles and dies for the welfare of his people. Asking Wiglaf to bring his gold, Beowulf discerns his destiny is near. He realizes fate, "will now conquer his body, but shall not conquer his soul" (Brooke 5). Thus, Beowulf's moral mastery is accomplished. Now a hero, Beowulf is "purified" by his honor (5).

At Beowulf's funeral, Wiglaf exemplifies Beowulf's honor by contrasting it to the deed of the dastardly thanes who refused aid to Beowulf. Wiglaf articulates his belief that "death is better for any earl than a life of blame" ("Beowulf" 64). In essence, during his grief, Wiglaf censures Beowulf's death not to fate, but to his kingsman's failure to accept their duty to him. Focusing on this, J.R.R. Tolkien emphasizes "the worth of defeated valor in this world is deeply felt" (Tolkien 36). Thus, Wiglaf, because he is also honorable, gives an earnest eulogy, a tribute to Beowulf's will, duty and honor.

Parallel to his belief in defeated valor, Tolkien also insists "the wages of heroism is death" (31). Tolkien reiterates the necessity of an end before the legend of a hero can be obtained. Beowulf's life and death, although tragic as well as triumphant, is the means of his immortality.

Beowulf's life symbolizes the specifics of a hero. He expounds his will to overcome his fear. He accepts his duty to others, regardless of the fate it carries. Beowulf exalts his honor over impending death. In conclusion, Beowulf, the hero of Heorot, achieves a status that the majority of mankind only strives to reach.

Works Cited

"Beowulf." The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M.H. Abrams. 6th ed. New York: WW Norton. 1993.26-67.

Brooke, Stopford A. "The Purification of the Hero." The History of the Early English Language. 1982. Rpt. in The Chelsea House of Literary Criticism. Ed. Harold Bloom. Chelsea: New York. 1985.

Cohen, Jeffery J. "Medieval Masculinities: Heroism, Sanctity, and Gender." 30 Sept. 1997. On line. Yahoo.
http://www.georgetown.edu/labyrinth/e-center/interscripta/mm.htl

Ingersol, Robert G. "Hero" The International Dictionary of Thoughts. Chicago: Doubleday. 1969.

Tolkien, J.R.R. "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics." Proceedings of the British Academy. Oxford University Press. 1936. 24-38.