Beowulf vs. Hrothgar
Beowulf is the focus and main character in the poem, although Hrothgar plays a very important role that is often overlooked in the Beowulf poem. He possesses very good characteristics which set him apart from the other characters. These characteristics include heroism, bravery, and leadership. Hrothgar’s heroism and leadership, foreshadows the hero’s entire life span rather than just his valiant youth, which reveals the contrast between youth and old age that forms the turning point in Beowulf’s own development. He is the ruler of the Danish lands, which makes him very well-known and admired by many, especially by Beowulf, who thinks of Hrothgar as a father figure. Hrothgar lives in Herot along with Grendel, who has been taking lives of Comrades in Herot. Beowulf hears about Grendel and heads to Herot to defeat him.…show more content… Hrothgar is heroic and a good leader to Beowulf as well as being a father figure. Being king of the Danes Hrothgar protected his land, but could not fight the battle with Grendel alone due to the fact of his age. Therefore, Beowulf heads to Herot to defeat Grendel, along with a few men and takes on the challenge. Hrothgar gives a speech to Beowulf and his men, known as “Hrothgar’s Sermon”. He speaks of the dangers of being heroic and pride. He gives this speech in hopes to open his follower’s eyes to the seriousness of letting your pride overcome everything that you are. Pride can destroy even the humblest person if they do not know how to control
