Allies In Beowulf

Beowulf, an epic poem named after Beowulf himself is set on a journey of political issues. Just as leaders such as Roosevelt and Churchill, Beowulf created allies to help out not only his own nation but surrounding nations as well. Allies when it comes to battles and wars can be extremely powerful. As Roosevelt created allies during WW2 Beowulf creates a stronger ally with the Danes People. Beowulf feels the need to pay the debt of his father. Helping the Danes defeat Grendel who has made countless attacks on the realm. Not only will defeating Grendel pay off His social debt his father placed, but it would politically create a larger alignment between the Danes and the Geats. Respect will need to be had from both sides of the alliance for there to be progress between the two (Geats and Danes).
Grendel terrorized realms without mercy.
No code of conduct. Such attacks should be followed with deals and repayment for the damages done. Grendel did nothing of the sort. The seemingly unstoppable demon would soon meet his end. Beowulf from Geatland offers to help the People of the Danes equipped with their “Stacked wide shields / of the toughest hardwood” (325, 326) and protected with their glinting mail-skirts “hard and hand-linked; the high-gloss iron / of their armour rang” (322, 321). Though Beowulf and his people could have easily overthrown the Gates keeper he stayed respectful and honored the social customs. “If your lord and master, the most renowned son of Halfdane, will hear me out…” (344, 345). Beowulf replies with the utmost respect towards Hrothgar’s herald and officer. Wulfgar ( the herald and officer ) notes Beowulf's formalities and replies according to such. Returning the respect that was given to
him.
Beowulf continues to show respect throughout the visit to the Danes. Upon the meeting with Hrothgar Beowulf and his crew is told “to meet Hrothgar, in helmets and armour, / but shields must stay here and spears be stacked”(396,297). Beowulf and his party proceed to leave their arms. Hrothgar's people could have easily taken advantage of this situation, yet the Geats show trust. Leaving a warriors defense against an attack when entering the unknown takes trust in the fact that you will not be played by the potential allies. As well as the Hrothgar and his people can become aware that Beowulf and his party mean no threat to the people of the Danes.
When respect of social customs is not shown in return to the heroic main character the results are extremely different. This shows how much respect is valued in the culture of the set times. After the meeting with Hrothgar Beowulf attends a feast in Heorot where all is pleasant until Unferth spoke contrary words (Unferth disrespects Beowulf) “Are you Beowulf who took on Breca / in a swimming match on the open sea …”(506,507). Initially starting by calling out the hero by name; possibly in a disrespectful manner to begin with and continues his story “for seven nights; and then he outswam you, / came ashore the stronger contender.”(517,518). Unferth tells his story on how he heard it to be. The fact that he told his story was disrespectful seemingly calling out Beowulf's failures. The manner in which he blatantly told his story was rude as Beowulf and most likely the rest of the banquet hall could tell. Beowulf strikes back. Knowing full well that he started with respect and was not given the same courtesy from Unferth. The lack of respect leads Beowulf to set Unferth Straight “Breca could never / move out farther or faster from me / than I could manage to move from him.” Stopping there would have been easy but Beowulf continued on “You killed your own Kith and Kin, / so for all your cleverness and quick tongue, / you will suffer damnation in the depths of Hell.” (587-589) Beowulf uses alliterations to emphasize actions and qualities of Unferth. Such as killed, Kith, Kin, quick.