Greed In Beowulf

“Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Greedy When Others Are Fearful” - Warren Buffett

Wealth, payment, greed, and generosity are very consistent concepts found today, however it was also in Medieval times. These things were in medieval times because of necessity, there were not there by choice. People needed to barter in order to thrive in society. Bartering was a staple of human society. In the text Beowulf, these concepts are routinely shown. The concepts of wealth, payment, greed, and generosity will be evaluated, and reflected upon, to give the reader an accurate description of these concepts in Beowulf.

Beowulf strongly portrays ambition clearly. Beowulf is an epic soldier who is greater than any ordinary man. King Hrothgar has a monster that goes by the name Grendel that is torturing his kingdom and killing his people. Beowulf hears about the murders and terror Grendel is causing and instantly knows this is something he has to deal with because he knows no ordinary man can kill this fearful monster. Beowulf sets out on the journey to find Grendel and kill him. When Grendel arrives at the kingdom to dine on the sleeping guards Beowulf awakes and gets into an epic battle with him. After he kills Grendel, he hears of another monster roaming the swamp which makes his ambition kick back into play causing him to jump into the dark and rough waters after the beast which is Grendel’s mother who is later defeated in the battle. After the death of the two

Greed can corrupt the strongest of people who ever you are it’ll find a way to get to you. Greed isn’t just about money it just has to be something you really desire. Greed is the root of all evil it got to a strong fearless warrior like Beowulf also to a noble thane named Macbeth it even got to three normal guys. Once you get greedy it’s difficult to stop being greedy.

In the early century of the Anglo-Saxon period, Beowulf is a precious ancient Poem that vividly illustrates scenes that the Christian God's religion influences the Germanic Society, and the Christian religion converts the Pagan's belief people into Christian belief. In the Poem, justice versus evil refers to light versus dark; the justice mind hero Beowulf always win battles with evil mind monsters because the Almighty God judges the justice stands with victor, and judges the hell is the destination of evil doings; the Almighty God blesses Beowulf with the holy power of the light; the Almighty God uses the holy powerful light to rule over the heaven, the earth, the hell, evil doings, and human being; the

Beowulf son of the famous soldier Edegtho, comes to the rescue of Hrothgar. Hrothgar king of the Danes, which his land is being attacked by a treacherous monster named Grendel. Beowulf is described as a vigorous, fearless man of the Anglo Saxon times. Beowulf comes from a past generation of tenacious warriors. Like Beowulf’s dad, a famous soldier known far, and leader of many men. The Danes now see why Beowulf is such a fearless warrior. In Beowulf, the hero decides to fight without a weapon for three reasons he wants to be glorious, he is fearless, wanted to help the people of noble place and he wants to honor his people. Beowulf faces many conflicts fighting these dangerous monsters, but manages to defeat Grendel and his mother.

In Beowulf, the reader can clearly identify this value of wealth. The reader understands that the power of wealth possessed by King Hrothgar is something that is given to only his best warriors. In the beginning, Beowulf shows evidence that he fights for fame and reputation to receive gold and boasts to improve his reputation. At the end of the poem, King Beowulf fights for the heroic code to preserve peace and stability within the Geats society. However, King Beowulf’s main duty is to be just and protect his

Out With a Bang (An Analysis of Beowulf’s Motivations) From the Anglo-Saxon epic, the poem “Beowulf” is known to be the first written story in English history. The Anglo-Saxon era was the time of the vikings and Norse people. There is little to nothing known of this era except for the written language and a bit of the religion and lifestyle. However, the Anglo-Saxon era was the beginning of the written English language that we know today. It all starts with the poem “Beowulf”.

An epic, is a lengthy narrative poem concerning about social and political organization, and events significant to a culture or nation. In Fred Robinson words, much of Beowulf is devoted to show the Germanic heroic code, in different aspects, which values strength, courage, bravery and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, responsibility and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; and good reputation in the inhabitants.

Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, treasure and weaponry were highly valued among the kingdom and its people. Only those worthy enough to the King or Queen would receive treasure. Treasure was typically given to high-ranking warriors and loyal civilians that had accomplished some great deed. Beowulf shows that these men were so attached to those treasures and weapons that they buried them along with their dead

Throughout the epic poem, the possession of wealth and treasure represents a reputation of honor, status, and skill, but were also used to solidify bonds and ensure loyalty. Every king along the lineage of royalty had a duty to spread his riches, a responsibility indicated by the frequent use of “ring-givers” that would even provide, “far-fetched treasures… and precious gear” (36-37). Wealth, a vastly important role in Beowulf, enables the king to manifest his generosity upon society. This act was not only a practice, but also a representation of honor as it was a way to exhibit benevolence to others as well as rewarding their loyal followers. An example would be during the time Beowulf saves the hall of Hereot from the terror and destruction of Grendel. As a result of Beowulf’s heroic acts, Hrothgar showers treasure on him and his men in order to show his thankfulness and goodness. The poet asserts how this giving of gifts signifies the manifestation of Hrothgar’s honor as king.

In the Germanic warrior culture the possession of wealth signifies that you are a tremendous warrior, in particular if you were rewarded with gold. Gold was only given to warriors in the poem if they achieved something glorious or if they have done noble acts. For example, Beowulf is rewarded with a gold standard and horses with golden equipment for killing Grendel “Then Halfdane’s son presented Beowulf/ with a gold standard as a victory gift.” (1020-1021), “Next the king ordered eight horses/ with gold bridles…” (1034-1035). Death is also rewarded with gold, as a recognition for paying the ultimate price towards a cause “And compensation, a price of gold, was settled for the Geat/ Grendel had cruelly

The women in Beowulf, which was written around 70 CE by an anonymous poet, fill many different roles, ranging from peacekeepers to wives and monsters, all of which are evidenced in the Queen Wealtheow, Queen Hygd, Hidleburh, and Grendel’s mother.

In Beowulf, the epic depicts an abundance of scenes of how wealth, in today’s modern culture, shows someone’s power. One way the benefit of wealth is shown in Beowulf by the kings in not solely the story but the Anglo-Saxon culture. This is shown by King Hrothgar when he talks about how he handled his enemies, saying, “Finally I healed the feud by paying / I shipped a treasure-trove to the Wulfings” (Heaney 470-471). Moreover, the amiable King Hrothgar pays his enemies with precious gold from his treasure hold and he ends up settling the feud. It is displaying how being wealthy can synthesize the jubilance a person can obtain by being so powerful that they can pay their enemies to stop attacking them. Another way that wealth can demonstrate the power in Beowulf is when the kings are being described. One excerpt that shows this is when King Hrothgar greets his companion, Beowulf, saying, “Then the grey-haired treasure-giver was glad” (607). The author specifically describes the highest powerful men in the land as treasure-givers. Comparatively, this not only showcases the Anglo-Saxon cultural beliefs, but is an even greater reflection on current the population. The wealthiest man in the world, currently, is Bill Gates with a net worth of 85.6 billion dollars (Kim). Not only is he extremely wealthy, but his influence in

In Beowulf, the conflict between good and evil is the story’s most universal theme. The storyteller is very clear who is good and who is evil, Beowulf represents the good and the ability to act selflessly when help is needed from others. Good is also shown throughout the epic as having the ability to abolish villainy. Evil is presented by Grendel, his mother, and a dragon, whose purpose in life is to make the lives of humanity a little more miserable.