The epic tale of Beowulf recounts the creation and development of a hero.
Beowulf would be a far less inspiring figure if he started out good and just stayed that way or
never had temptations thrown into his path to resist. The most important monsters he must face
are those he finds within. He is a great leader as well as a great warrior because power does
not ruin him with the evils of greed.
Beowulf benefits from the counsel of
Hrothgar, who cautions him about the damaging nature of tyranny not only to those under its yoke
but to the one abusing his role. When he returns victorious to Heartland, Beowulf could become
king and rest on his laurels. Believing he deserves the throne is a flaw of pride, which he
successfully sets aside. He does become king only after Higlac and Heredred both have passed
on.
As King Beowulf prepares for what proves to be his last battle, against
the fearsome dragon, he faces two related challenges. One is his pride and the other is his
awareness of his declining prowess as a warrior. On the one hand, he wants to fulfill his duties
and inspire his people's confidence in him: he takes pride in being the mighty warrior. On the
other hand, to be a truly good king means being realistic. He is getting old and is not as
strong as he used to be.
He must use his intellect and his accumulated wisdom
to resolve these last challenges. One way he does so is by accepting the limits of his
mortality. He is a man so his body does age and weaken, and he must devise adequate protection
against the dragon. He must also reconcile his mortality with his courage: he will fight bravely
but this time understanding that losing, if it brings death, is no
dishonor.
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