Themes of Beowulf
Beowulf features three key themes that
dictate the actions of the characters:
• Loyalty
• Revenge
• Reputation
Chapter 22, Lines 8-11:
Loyalty
Be guardian, thou, to this group of my thanes,
my warrior-friends, if War should seize me;
and the goodly gifts thou gavest me,
Hrothgar beloved, to Hygelac send!
Chapter 13, Line 25:
(After spreading the news of Beowulf’s victory):
On their lord beloved they laid no slight,
gracious Hrothgar: a good king he!
Chapter 14, Line 25-27:
Now, Beowulf, thee,
of heroes best, I shall heartily love as
mine own, my son
Chapter 21, final part:
BW Speaking about Unferth:
Bairn of Ecglaf - now this weapon he
lent to a stouter swordsman –
Himself, though, durst not
under welter of waters wager his life
as loyal liegeman. So lost he his glory
Chapter 29, Lines 5-8: BW Speaking to
Hygelac:
Now to thee, my prince, I proffer them
all, gladly give them. Thy grace alone
can find me favor. Few indeed
have I of kinsmen, save, Hygelac, thee!"
Chapter 34:
Wiglaf stands by his King while the
other thanes leave.
Chapter 36: (About the men who left)
fearing before to flourish a spear
in the sore distress of their sovran lord.
Now in their shame their shields they
carried. Yea, death is better
for liegemen all than a life of shame!
Chapter 20, Lines 2-3:
Revenge
Chapters 16-17: The story of the Frisians:
The Danes and Frisians fought and an important
Danish hero Hnaef was killed by Finn (a Frisian).
Hostilities continued, with Hengest leading the
Danes, until a peace deal was made. After Hnaef’s
funeral, everyone went home.
“Though more gladly he (Hengest) pondered
on wreaking his vengeance”
Hengest led an attack on Finn’s home and killed
him, taking their queen captive.
Chapter 19:
And his mother now,
gloomy and grim, would go that quest
of sorrow, the death of her son to avenge
It beseems us better friends to avenge than
fruitlessly mourn them.
Chapter 24, Lines 19-20: (BW speaking to
Hrothgar after killing Grendel’s Mother)
So avenged I their fiendish deeds
death-fall of Danes, as was due and right.
Chapter 31:
The folk's own fastness that fiery dragon
with flame had destroyed,
but the warlike king, prince of the Weders,
plotted vengeance
Chapters 8-9
Reputation
Chapter 4, Lines 5-10:
To folk afar was my father known,
noble atheling, Ecgtheow named.
Full of winters, he fared away
aged from earth; he is honored still
through width of the world by wise men all.
Beowulf corrects Unferth and tells his side of
the story of the race with Breca, all while not
insulting Unferth at any time.
Chapters 10-11
Beowulf’s killing of Grendel with his bare
hands.
Chapter 13, Line 17:
have said me this, -- he has thirty men's
heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand.
Home then road the hoary clansmen –
Beowulf’s glory eager they echoed
And all averred that from sea to sea, north to
south, there was no other in earth’s domain
more valiant found.
Lines 37-40
Chapter 18, Line 33-34: (Wealtheow
speaking)
Chapter 6, lines 7-11
(Wulfgar speaking) And seamen, too,
Beowulf spake -- Fame a plenty
have I gained in youth!
Hast done such deeds, that for days to come
thou art famed among folk both far and near,
Reputation
Chapter 20, Lines 6-10: (BW speaking)
so win who may glory ere death!
When his days are told,
that is the warrior's worthiest doom.
Chapter 21, final part:
BW Speaking about Unferth:
Bairn of Ecglaf - now this weapon he
lent to a stouter swordsman –
Himself, though, durst not
under welter of waters wager his life
as loyal liegeman. So lost he his glory
Chapter 22, end:
His strength he trusted,
So man shall do whenever in war
he weens to earn him
lasting fame, nor fears for his life!
Chapter 29:
Long was he spurned,
and worthless by Geatish warriors held;
Slack and shiftless the strong men deemed
him, profitless prince;
Chapter 33:
The fight is not yours,
nor meet for any but me alone
to measure might with this monster here
and play the hero.