Beowulf Identity

Beowulf's identity as a hero is obvious to the Danish coast-guard just from looking at him. He's not just an impostor or a "hanger-on"; he's the real thing, and he seems to have "realness" radiating off of him.

To us as 21st century readers, this sounds as though the coast-guard is distinguishing between things that are done as "real" and things that are said as "just talk." But that's the perspective of our culture. In medieval Scandinavian culture, talk was just as important as deeds, as long as they matched. Beowulf's declaration of himself and his intentions is a convincing speech that establishes his identity to the guard's satisfaction.

Beowulf describes who he is by recounting his various deeds. He has no choice – he doesn't have a resume to give Hrothgar. Seriously, though, Beowulf's speech really does work like a resume, giving Hrothgar his background and examples of his skills. It's a snapshot of who he is, just a like a resume would be for you – and with a resume's limitations.

Having explained who he is by explaining what he's done in the past, Beowulf stakes his identity on what he's going to do in the future.

People always want to know what inspires heroes, athletes, and great leaders – what sustains them, emotionally and mentally, in tough times? In Beowulf's case, it's a bit egotistical – it's the thought of his reputation. We can only hope that our other heroes are a little less selfish.

Even at the end of his life, Beowulf makes sure that he's continuing to add to his reputation and fame by his brave deeds. As he faces death, he sustains himself by continuing to think about the name that he's made for himself.

It's interesting to notice that we don't hear about Beowulf's childhood until the very end of the epic. For modern readers, the fact that Beowulf was raised as a foster son by King Hrethel probably seems really important; but for medieval audiences, Beowulf's deeds as an adult are more important than his princely youth.

Beowulf explains his relationship to King Hygelac as a straightforward exchange: Hygelac gives him land and wealth, and Beowulf gives Hygelac his loyalty and service in battle in return. Of course, they're also foster brothers. Yet, somehow, the almost economic money-and-land-for-fighting relationship is more important to who Beowulf is than the family ties.

The final measure of Beowulf's successful establishment of an identity as a warrior and a king is his memorial, Beowulf's Barrow.

On its own, this quote might not look like much, but it takes the poem a long time to get around to mentioning Beowulf's name directly. Beowulf literally announces himself, proclaiming his name and invoking the reputation he has built up for himself in the past through his great deeds.