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Hrothgar's Leadership In Beowulf

Decent Essays

Hrothgar’s Leadership Lessons
In the fantasy world found within the story of Beowulf; Hrothgar, the wise king of the Danes, offers Beowulf some important lessons of leadership. Hrothgar, recognizing Beowulf’s nobility and strength, talks to him about how he should act to be a good ruler when he becomes king. The characteristics of good leadership that Hrothgar mentions still hold true today, through people like politicians, and business executives. Hrothgar’s sermon not only provides an insight into what leaders like these should do, it aims to bring to light what leaders should not do.
To Hrothgar, a true leader should not be wicked to their people; rather, they should show kindness and be loved by their people. While talking about a …show more content…

If a ruler has this stamina and charisma to lead, his comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives (Loughman). For example, if a president is outspoken and shows these qualities, like in a time of war, the people of that country will follow behind that president until his last days of service, much like Beowulf’s followers.
After several decades of ruling the Geats, Beowulf faces his final foe, a dragon with the help of his court of retainers. While fighting the dragon, all of Beowulf’s retainers abandon him, except for Wiglaf, who not only helps Beowulf defeat the dragon; he helps uncover another lesson for leadership, which is to plan a successor (Post). Beowulf nearly misses this after all of his years of serving as king, which would have bode unfavorably for the Geats because no successor would have been ready to take his place as king once he has passed away (Loughman). Hrothgar even alludes to this in his sermon numerous years ago, by saying, “ancestral possessions and the goods he hoarded are inherited by another who lets them go with a liberal hand” (McArthur). Wise leaders, who recognize that the future is uncertain, should plan for a successor early on to ready them for their time to serve. We see this practiced in the modern world by the selection of a vice president during a presidential election, a careful

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