The Search for Eternal Glory Through The Heroic Code

Only a handful of men and women are remembered throughout history. Many of these people are remembered because they achieved glory. In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, one of the major themes relates to the search for glory. Beowulf, the protagonist, protects his nation and its allies from foes, earns the respect of others, and takes actions to ensure the well being of the society. Combined, these traits form the heroic code. Beowulf lives his life by the heroic code in search of glory for him and his nation. Early on in Beowulf, Beowulf assists his allies, the Danes. Beowulf uses the heroic code to bring glory to him and the Geat nation.
“He knows he can trample down you Danes / to his hearts content, humiliate and murder / without fear of reprisal. But he will find me different. / I will show him how Geats shape to kill / in the heat of battle. Then whoever wants to / may go bravely to mead, when morning light, / scarfed in sun-dazzle, shines forth from the south / and brings another daybreak to the world.” (599-606)
The Danes fall plagued with Grendel, a terrible fiend who kills Danes for twelve years without fear of consequences. Beowulf travels over seas to repay an inherited debt to Hrothgar, the Dane ring-giver. Beowulf boasts of how he will end the devastation Grendel brings by doing a service to the Danes. Beowulf intends to kill Grendel. The heroic code focuses heavily on assisting allies from enemies. Attempting to take Grendel’s life demonstrates Beowulf’s resolve to the heroic code. The quotes spoken by Beowulf: “he will find me different” and “I will show him how Geats shape to kill” point towards a more self-centered motive for following the code. Beowulf’s commitment to the heroic code formed not through a belief in righteousness, but rather, through a desire for glory. Glory attracted Beowulf to the values found in the heroic code because if he killed Grendel, Beowulf’s achievement would give him a spot in history as a legendary warrior.