Warrior Society & Fate in Beowulf: Heroic Values
The Warrior Society in Beowulf
Within the warrior society depicted in Beowulf, the bond between a warrior (thane) and his lord was paramount. This relationship was built upon mutual trust and respect, rather than simple subordination.
When a warrior pledged loyalty to his lord, he became a voluntary companion, taking pride in defending him and fighting in his battles. In return, the lord was expected to care for his thanes and reward their valor generously. A good king, such as Hrothgar or Beowulf, was often referred to as “protector of warriors,” “dispenser of treasure,” or “ring-giver.”
Importance of Kinship
The relationship between kinsmen also held deep significance, providing another emotional layer to Old English heroic poetry. If a kinsman was slain, a man had the duty to either kill the slayer or demand wergild (“man-price”) as compensation. Relatives who failed to avenge their kinsman’s death could never find peace, unable to satisfy their grief.
As Beowulf says to Hrothgar, who mourns Aeschere’s death, “It is better for a man to avenge his friend than much mourn.” However, the need for vengeance could lead to endless feuds.
Feuds and Vengeance
Hrothgar attempts to make peace with the Heatho-Bards by marrying his daughter to their king, Ingeld, whose father was killed by the Danes. However, Beowulf predicts that the Heatho-Bards’ desire for vengeance will eventually erupt in more bloodshed. Similarly, the Danish princess Hildeburh, married to Finn of the Jutes, experiences the tragic loss of both her son and brother.
Beowulf’s primary concern is not tribal feuds but the threat of evil. Grendel and the dragon pose dangers to the land’s security, existing outside the social order and without anyone to avenge their deaths. It is the king’s and his companions’ duty to defeat such evil. When Hrothgar becomes old and his companions lack initiative, he urges Beowulf to fight the dragon threatening his people.
Beowulf and Fate
By confronting Grendel and his mother, Beowulf tests his relationship with destiny. His luck could abandon him at any moment, leading to his death, as seen in his encounter with the dragon. However, whether he lives or dies, he strives to develop his character heroically.
The Role of Courage
Courage is the instrument by which the hero realizes himself. “Fate often saves an undoomed man when his courage is good,” Beowulf states, suggesting that courage can influence fate if a man is not entirely doomed. Ultimately, doom claims him, but only after he has lived a heroic life to its fullest.
Despite the Christian poet’s desire to Christianize pagan virtues, he remains true to the older tradition, leaving the impression that Beowulf’s reward is pagan immortality: the enduring memory of his heroic actions in the minds of future generations.