Beowulf quotes about decisions full#

Hygelac formally inquires about Beowulf's trip, a venture that had concerned him because of the extreme danger involved. Hygd, like Wealhtheow, is the perfect hostess - courteous, friendly, but courtly - as she walks among the retainers and offers mead. Propriety is the guideline at the great hall of the Geats. At any rate, the poet does finally move on to Beowulf's arrival at Hygelac's court. Still, a modern reader might be forgiven if the example still seems intrusive. Given that, the interlude may have been less of an intrusion and more of a reminder of a familiar character to the scop's audience. The poet then tells of Modthrytho's conversion through her marriage to Offa, and we get the idea that most of the Beowulf audience already knows this story, as it knows the rest of the poet's allusions and probably the story of Beowulf itself. As beautiful and strong as she was, she was no 'peace-weaver' (2017) as is Wealhtheow, for example. She even went so far as to have men executed for the offense of looking into her eyes. In her excessive pride and abusive treatment of subjects, Modthrytho reminds us of evil King Heremod. For our purposes, perhaps it is enough that they are simply what they appear to be - a young but effective queen who serves her king and her people well, on the one hand and, on the other, a treacherous example of power gone wrong. There is considerable scholarship on who she and Modthrytho might have been and why the poet makes so much of them. Hygd is a proper queen - generous, courteous and wise beyond her years. So the poet interrupts to give us a little lesson on the qualities of a proper queen. It is a moment of some emotion and dramatic intensity. When the scop performed the story of Finnsburh at Heorot (1063 ff.), the interlude was a logical extension of the dramatic situation, a celebration in honor of Beowulf at which such a story might well be told. Modern readers may wonder why the Beowulf poet interrupts his narrative, just as the hero is setting foot on his homeland, to indulge in the elaborate contrast between Geatland's Queen Hygd and the murderous Queen Modthrytho. Exceeding what is expected, the Geat champion presents the Dane ship-guard with a sword so beautifully decorated in gold that the retainer will later display it proudly to his fellows at Heorot.

Beowulf quotes about decisions full#

As his visit to the Scyldings runs full cycle and Beowulf returns to his ship with his men, he continues to comport himself with grace and generosity. Beowulf is now a lord of the realm, but it is clear that he still owes his allegiance to Hygelac.Īfter Hrothgar's sermon, everything that Beowulf does must be thought of, at least in passing, within the context of the wise old king's message. He also honors the young warrior with 'lands, seven thousand hides, / a hall, and gift-throne' (2195-96). Hygelac rewards Beowulf with a rare heirloom, a sword covered with gold.

Beowulf presents various treasures to Hygelac and Hygd, most notably presenting the queen with the magnificent gold necklace that Wealhtheow gave him.

Returning to his own story, Beowulf briefly reports on his victory over Grendel, the surprise attack by Grendel's mother, and his triumph at the cave beneath the mere. Hygelac asks about Beowulf's journey, and the young champion recounts his visit to the Scyldings, digressing to consider Hrothgar's attempt to make peace with the Heathobards. Hygd passes among the thanes serving mead, reminiscent of Wealhtheow's admirable hospitality at Heorot. After this interlude, the narrator returns to Beowulf's arrival at King Hygelac's splendid hall. The poet interrupts his report on Beowulf's return to discuss the Geats' Queen Hygd and the qualities of a virtuous queen as contrasted to a wicked ruler like Queen Modthrytho. Beowulf and his men return to their ship and set sail for Geatland.