... code requires that a king reward the loyal service of his warriors with gifts and praise. It also holds that he must provide them with protection and the sanctuary of a lavish mead-hall. Hrothgar's speeches, in particular, emphasize the value of creating stability in a precarious and chaotic world. He also speaks at length about the king's role in diplomacy, both with his ... to using a similar term "peace-pledge of the nations" which acts in weaving concord in contrast to kinship peace alliance. Thus, Wealhtheow acts as both. When she serves mead in Heorot, it is an act of propriety an...

• Word Count: 3090
• Approx Pages: 12

... only through constant conflict, since other methods of arbitration, such as intermarriage, are shown throughout the text to fail. The first half of Beowulf deals with Beowulf's defense of the mead hall Heorot, a symbol of civilization that we are informed is fated to be destroyed by fire. But Heorot was nonetheless considered a great accomplishment that would ensure Hrothgar's fame: And he ... . Then I heard that tribes without number, even to the ends of the earth, were given orders to decorate the hall. And in due course (before very long) the greatest of halls was created. Hrothgar, w...

• Word Count: 3062
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... only through constant conflict, since other methods of arbitration, such as intermarriage, are shown throughout the text to fail. The first half of Beowulf deals with Beowulf's defense of the mead hall Heorot, a symbol of civilization that we are informed is fated to be destroyed by fire. But Heorot was nonetheless considered a great accomplishment that would ensure Hrothgar's fame: And he ... . Then I heard that tribes without number, even to the ends of the earth, were given orders to decorate the hall. And in due course (before very long) the greatest of halls was created. Hrothgar, w...

• Word Count: 3189
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School