Beowulf Returns Home
Hrothgar's farewell contains a foreshadowing of the kingship of Beowulf--the material of the end of the poem. Also, Beowulf's journey has created needed allies for the Geatish people.

More gifts are lavished on Beowulf and Hrothgar expresses love like a father. Note the delicacy of thought when B. Gives the boat-guard a gift, even though he wasn't at the battle. Again the importance of the leader's generosity. Often, the sons of nobles were fostered, so the idea of having Beowulf for a son is not far-fetched although recall that Wealtheow does not look on this with pleasure. She protects her own son.

We are probably meant in the hall to see parallels between Hygd and Wealtheow as well as between Hygelac and Hrothgar and later Beowulf. The poet has made a statement about the qualities of good leadership both in terms of the good kings and in terms of those who have failed (like Heremod). Also, the complete retelling of the story again recalls that repetition is an acceptable, even necessary, aspect of the oral tradition.

References on 54 remind us that Beowulf (like many ancient heroes) is wifeless and childless and remains so.

Note the generosity of Beowulf to Hygelac--p55. He gives away almost all the gifts he has. BUT he is rewarded by Hygelac who will not be outdone in generosity (as befits a good "cyng").

The description of the dragon is in mythological terms. Recall that the patron saint of England is St. George who slays the dragon (the great worm or the devil).

The sadness of the survivor who guards the treasure reminds us again of the warrior and also prepares us for the sadness of the end of the story. Is the treasure cursed and is that why, ultimately, the Geats refuse to take it? Lots of foreshadowing of the end of the poem pp56 and 57. Beowulf himself seems to have a foreboding about this fight. Is he different than he was as a young man because of his age or is he actually a different person (the result of two legends being combined)?

Note also the respect of Beowulf for Hygelac's lineage--he won't accept the throne until Heardred is dead. Still, more ominous forecasting of the future of the Geats in the story of Othere and Onela. In the battle with the Swedes, Beowulf seems to have been powerless to protect Heardred.

The story of Herebeald and Haethcyn presents us with a paradox in the warrior code that can't be solved. When Haethcyn kills his brother accidentally, his father dies of a broken heart, unable either to accept the death or take vengeance for it.

Finally, Beowulf loses the battle with the dragon (or wins it but dies). One critic points out that Beowulf is effective agains the Monsters who are close to human, but not against the more primitive evil. The end is without hope? Since Beowulf loses his life through the disloyalty of his thanes who betray the thane-lord relationship, he dies to no avail since the treasure is buried with him and does no one any good, his death leaves his tribe leaderless and vulnerable to the many other tribes who have reasons for vengeance on them. OR
the end carries some hope because Beowulf dies honorable, his barrow remains with his people, the remaining member of his family promises to be a noble leader (Wiglaf).