The Significance of Hrothgar's Sermon in Beowulf

Hrothgar's sermon is one of the most important passages in Beowulf for several reasons. First, Hrothgar defines the characteristics of the ideal warrior-king in Anglo-Saxon society. Secondly, Hrothgar addresses the realization of human frailty and transience, a fact often obscured by Beowulf's seemingly super-human accomplishments. Finally, Hrothgar's sermon is important to the structure of the poem as a whole, because it sets the standards by which the audience must judge an older, more mature Beowulf.

Hrothgar first stresses the importance of merging the qualities of sapientia and fortitude in a leader. No one can deny the fact that Beowulf possesses an abundance of strength and courage; but others who possessed strength equal to Beowulf's, such as Heremond, became hated savages due to a lack of wisdom and restraint. God had granted Heremond "the joys of great strength," but Heremond's "thought grew savage." Heremond is overcome by his arrogance. He refuses to reward his warriors with treasure, and he even slaughters his own companions in his royal court. Heremond is exiled, he lives joylessly and suffers an unhappy death due to the misery he caused his people. Hrothgar has made quite clear the fact that strength must not be the sole characteristic of the warrior-king. The ideal leader must of course be strong, but he must also possess the qualities of wisdom, temperance, and generosity. Without these traits, the warrior-king cannot be considered a true and great leader of his people.

Next, Hrothgar addresses the fragility of human life. There are times when God especially favors an individual through the granting of strength, power, prestige, and material wealth. If this individual is lacking in sapientia and humility, "he cannot imagine his rule at an end." The warrior-king then loses sight of his own mortality. The whole world seems to "turn to his pleasure," and he refuses to worry about "illness, age, or malicious tongues." This is when the sins of pride and arrogance strike, and the warrior-king has no defense against such an attack. Inevitably, the warrior-king becomes "angry and covetous," and loses his honor, his state, and "God's favor." The body then decays, and the warrior-king falls. He is unmourned, and is looked upon with hate and resentment rather than love and respect.

Hrothgar's lesson is that man must always be conscious of his own mortality. Man must continuously face the fact that something will always exist which can strip him of his power and glory. Hrothgar says that Beowulf must expect and accept misfortune ever if he rules wisely and fairly, for Beowulf possesses one weakness which he can never fortify: he is human. With wisdom and grace, Beowulf must accept the transformation which he will one day inevitably undergo. Although Beowulf's fame is now great, he will one day be stricken by illness, injury, or "hateful old age." "Death overcomes you all at once, warrior."

Finally, Hrothgar reveals his own story to Beowulf in order to place his lesson on concrete ground. For fifty years Hrothgar ruled his great kingdom with success so great that he believed that no adversary of his kingdom walked the earth. At this point, Grendel begins to make his nightly visits to Heorot, and Hrothgar is persecuted by the beast for twelve years. Hrothgar's fortitude is weakened by age, and he is unable to remove the monster Grendel from a kingdom in which he had maintained peace and prosperity for so many years. All men, no matter how great, must experience misfortune during their lifetime.

Hrothgar's sermon has set the standards by which an older Beowulf must be judged. Will Beowulf's sapientia continue to develop, allowing him to emulate a great king such as Scyld Scefing; or will Beowulf's growth of sapientia be stunted by his pride, causing Beowulf to develop into the hated Heremond figure";

Will Beowulf be able to accept his waning fortitude in later life, and will he be able to compensate for the loss of strength through the development of other virtues? The poet is posing these questions as he readies the audience for the transition from young warrior to old king.

As the poem progresses, we learn that Beowulf has followed the example of Scyld Scefing. He has guarded his gift of strength well, and he has ruled with wisdom, generosity, and justice. However, the audience knows that Beowulf's misfortune -- as predicted by Hrothgar -- will soon arrive. Beowulf's misfortune comes in the form of a dragon who attacks Beowulf's kingdom while seeking revenge for the pilfering of his hoard. Beowulf's strength has diminished, but he realizes and accepts this fact.

Although Beowulf would much rather fight the dragon by hand, he knows he must use weapons if he hopes to succeed in battle. Beowulf knows his best years are behind him, and his boasts are based on memories rather than hopes. Still, Beowulf knows it is his obligation as king to protect his people. Beowulf successfully slays the dragon; unfortunately, he is also mortally wounded during the battle.

Beowulf is mourned and honored by his people. His story is passed down so that future generations may learn about the great warrior-king. He is respected and loved because he epitomized the values of his people -- the same values listed in Hrothgar's sermon.

This is why I believe Hrothgar's sermon is so important to the poem Beowulf. Historically, the sermon reveals those characteristics which were honored and valued by members of Anglo-Saxon society. Poetically, the sermon acts as a point of reference from which the audience of the poem can trace the development and maturation of the hero Beowulf.