Although Beowulf has no reason to show courtesy towards this monster, he has prior knowledge that Grendel fights unarmed, so he finds it only fair to fight unarmed as well, a thought that only a king would possess. Furthermore, upon Hygelac's death, Beowulf does not immediately rush to claim his spot as king. Beowulf supports Hygelac's son, who is the rightful heir to the throne, showing courtesy to Hygelac's son and to Hygelac himself although he is now deceased. It is that act of respect and courtesy to the rightful heir and the former king that proves him worthy of kingship.
Along with his display of courtesy, Beowulf demonstrations immense pride in himself, another characteristic of a great king as well as a characteristic displayed in the Germanic heroic code. Beowulf likes telling the Danes about his accomplishments and does not fail to defend his credibility when challenged by Unferth upon his arrival to Denmark. After Unferth mocks Beowulf for not wining a race, Beowulf asserts his pride in saying " however it occurred, my sword had killed/ nine sea-monsters. Such night dangers/ and hard ordeals I have never heard of/ Now I cannot recall any fight you entered, Unferth, that bears comparison." (53. 574-583) In saying this, Beowulf exclaims that he lost because he killed nine sea monsters along the way and that was more than Unferth or Breca (the winner) had accomplished. Beowulf's conversation with the Danish king, Hrothgar doubles as evidence of his courtesy as well as his pride. Beowulf mentions his "great triumphs" (50. 409) during his count of his qualifications, making it obvious of his pride in himself. Following Grendel's death, the limb of Grendel is placed high in the mead hall so that everyone may see what the great Beowulf had done. This act inflated Beowulf's pride as well as the act of killing Grendel's mother later in the epic. When Beowulf tells the story of how he killed her he states, " I have wrested the hilt/ from the enemies' hand, avenged the evil/ done to the Danes; it is what was due.
