“All of Beowulf’s band had jumped from their beds, ancestral swords raised and ready, determined to protect their prince if they could.”
Beowulf’s fellow warriors show loyalty to him as they should by jumping at the chance to try to protect him. Loyalty to the king and to leaders is an essential piece of the Germanic Hero Code.
“I remained near him for five long nights, Until a flood swept us apart;”: This scene represents displaying loyalty by sticking together. Beowulf is loyal to Brecca by staying by his side for five long nights and not leaving him for any foolish reason.
“(But no one meant Beowulf’s praise to belittle Hrothgar, their kind and gracious king!)...”
The Danes did not mean to show disloyalty to the king by praising Beowulf. If they did it would be a violation of the Germanic Hero Code because the code holds high standards to maintaining loyalty to leader figures.
Protection
Staying together in difficult times
Loyalty issues
Loyalty
“But Higlac’s follower remembered his final boast and, standing erect, stopped the monster’s flight, fastened those claws in his fists till they cracked, clutched Grendel closer.”
The Germanic Hero Code gives a lot of significance to upholding honor and accepting wyrd (fate).
Beowulf had to show that all he boasted about was not just talk. His desire to protect his honor motivates his fight against Grendel.
“...telling stories of their dead king and his greatness, his glory, praising him for heroic deeds, for a life as noble as his name.”
Beowulf is THE perfect representation of the Germanic Hero code. He has lived up to it and know when he is dead his is still praised for his glory and heroic deeds.
Keeping one's word
Leaving a Legacy
Honor
“I drove five great giants into chains, chased all of that race from the earth.”
Beowulf is boasting to the King Hrothgar about his great accomplishments without seeming to care if he is arrogant. This is because boasting is a huge characteristic of the Germanic Hero Code.
“They have seen my strength for themselves, have watched me rise from the darkness of war,
dripping with my enemies blood.” Beowulf brags about his noble deeds to Hrothgar and even brings his men into his conversation. He uses his men as witnesses to all of his strength and is quite proud of it.
“He needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I.” Beowulf boasts about killing Grendel with his bare hands and does not need any weapons which is greatly looked up to in the Germanic Hero Code.
He knows he can defeat Grendel with no hands and to abide by the code he boasts openly about his strength.
“that I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall.”: Again, Beowulf brings up the fact that he should be recognized in earthly reputation and fame. He knows he will gain endless fame for defeating Grendel and makes it clear to everyone that that he alone will defeat
Grendel and he only needs his men's "help".
Strength
Boasting
Independence
Hospitality Feasting
“Then Hrothgar’s men gave places to the Geats, yielded benches to the brave visitors, and led them to the feast.”
Hrothgar holds a feast in Beowulf and his fellow Geats’ honor. Hrothgar is welcoming and gives them a place in his own mead hall. This hospitality is a unique characteristic to the Germanic Hero Code.
Glory & Reputation
Demonstration by adjectives
Strength
Influences on glory
Being praised by others
“Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats- greater and stronger than anyone anywhere
in this world-” : This quote introduces Beowulf’s characteristic and describes how strong and glorious he is which is very important in the Germanic Hero Code. This quote is really praising Beowulf and is emphasizing his reputation among his people.
“So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find, the bravest and best of the Geats,
fourteen in all, and led them down to their boat”: In the Germanic hero code reputation and glory was achieved by being “brave and mighty”. The Men who display characteristics of the germanic hero code have a higher status than everyone else.
“But Beowulf longed only for fame, leaped back into battle."
The quote says it all. Beowulf risked his life by fighting Grendel’s mother just because he longed for fame. It is encouraged and common to complete actions only for the purpose of glory with the
Germanic Hero Code.
“...telling stories of their dead king and his greatness, his glory, praising him for heroic deeds, for a life as noble as his name.”
Beowulf is THE perfect representation of the Germanic Hero code. He has lived up to it and know when he is dead his is still praised for his glory and heroic deeds.
“Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats- greater and stronger than anyone anywhere
in this world-” : This quote introduces Beowulf’s characteristic and describes how strong and glorious he is "greater and stronger" than anyone anywhere in the world. Perfect description!
“So Beowulf chose the mightiest men he could find, the bravest and the best of the Geats…”
In the Germanic hero code reputation and glory was achieved by being “brave and mighty”. The Men who display characteristics of the germanic hero code have a higher status than everyone else.
Demonstration by actions
“When he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting Flames, stand till fate
decides Which of us wins.”: Beowulf is blessed with the pagan features, which make him even more significant. This man has supernatural power, which has always been the characteristic feature of all pagan heroes.
Much of Beowulf is devoted to illustrating the Germanic Hero Code, which values strength, courage, loyalty, hospitality, generosity, glory and boasting. Traditional and much respected, this code is essential to the
Anglo Saxon society. All of the characters’ moral judgments are based on the code’s requirements. Thus individual actions can be seen only as either conforming to or violating the code.
In Beowulf, aspects of the Germanic Hero Code are not only represented by description but also through the character's actions. Beowulf is an ideal representation of the Hero Code for he not only is loyal and keeps his honor, but also he boasts endlessly throughout the poem. It is very obvious that specific lines exist just to satisfy the code, since it was such a big part of heroism in literature when the poem was written.