Warrior Code in Beowulf: Ethics, Responsibilities, and Motivations

Introduction

In Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon epic poem, the most recurring theme is the idea of ethics. This set of ethics is called the warrior code. This code outlines the dos and don’ts that come along with the life of a warrior. In the following essay, three questions will be answered. Why people followed the warrior code, how are the warriors expected to act, and what are their responsibilities as members of the code?

Body

The Historical and Cultural Context

This story takes place in 5th or 6th-century Scandinavia, which is present-day Denmark and Sweden.

During this time period, Denmark was predominantly pagan, a pre-Christian faith where they believed in many different gods. Their level of devotion and the gods’ grace would determine how good or bad their lives were. If their children were healthy and their crops were growing, it was because the gods had smiled upon them and recognized their good work; however, if their child was born with a deformity and all their cattle died, it was because the gods were angry at them and wanted to punish them. The pagan religion described in Beowulf was no different.

During the time of this story, no one went to school. They stayed home and helped their parents tend to their animals and crops. Being educated was not really important because many of the jobs available and necessary for the community required manual labor. Because of their illiterate culture, the history of their people was passed down through song, and being remembered by song was critical because their religion didn’t acknowledge any concept of an afterlife. Once you died, you were just gone. So the only thing they had to look forward to and the only way they could be remembered was by song, and only the important events and people got a song. Glory was one of the biggest motivations of the warrior code. If they went out and did or attempted to do impossible and incredible things, people would write a song about them, even if they died doing it. They felt it was better to live an adventurous and exciting life, even if it was short, rather than live a long life where you wouldn’t be remembered. And that if you follow the warrior code, you will be remembered.

Characteristics and Actions of Warriors

Warriors were one of the most well-respected people of the time. They had to be strong, brave, and relentless at all times. They protected their homes and people from invaders and, in this case, monsters. They were also very boastful and cocky, never backing down from a challenge, no matter how difficult. And above all else, they had to always show respect for their king, especially when you were coming to their aid. When Beowulf heard that a monster was terrorizing King Hrothgar’s kingdom, he gathered 12 of his best soldier and went to go help him get rid of Grendel. King Hrothgar was a very good king who cared deeply for his people. He was always their first line of defense. If there was ever a problem in his kingdom, he fixed it without the help of any outsiders. When Beowulf came offering his assistance in the destruction of Grendel, Hrothgar felt weak, like he could even protect his own people and had to rely on an outsider to save the people he promised to protect. Hrothgar has never put his kingdom’s well-being in the hands of anyone else before. Beowulf is very cocky throughout the story, except when he is talking to the king. A king accepting help from someone, specifically someone outside of his kingdom, was a big honor not to be taken lightly. Anything done in service of the king was an honorable thing to do.

A person wasn’t considered evil or bad because they killed someone because fighting during this time was inevitable, and killing was just a part of life. However, there were honorable ways to go about doing it that are outlined in the warrior code. For example, if you killed someone in battle, you were to pay their family. No amount of money could replace their loved one, but because the people who died in battle were men, the primary breadwinners of the household, the family was paid all the money they would have had if the man was still alive. The compensation for the life that was taken was called a wergild. The code also calls for an “eye for an eye.” If a member of one family is killed, that family is allowed revenge by killing a member of the family responsible for their death. This helped keep balance and deter any senseless killings because they knew if they killed someone, a member of their family would be next. Another important part of the code was the parley. If someone asks to be spared, the honorable thing awould be to spare them. This was typically only used for women and children because men were too proud to admit defeat.

Conclusion

The warrior code, at its core, is all about honor, duty, and respect. A warrior was a man admired by the kingdom he was sworn to protect and his king he would gladly die for. He was always respectful to his king and fought for justice for his fellow soldiers. The warrior code was followed so their deeds would live on, even if they didn’t.

References

1. "Beowulf: A New Translation" by Maria Dahvana Headley

2. "The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays" by J.R.R. Tolkien

3. "Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary" by J.R.R. Tolkien

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