We all know that Beowulf illustrates the perfect hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate stages- as a young man and then as a king through three separate and increasingly difficult conflicts, with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominately by his feats of outstanding strength and courage, an example would be his "swimming" match against Breca. He also perfectly represents the manners and values dictated by the Germanic hero code, such as loyalty, courtesy, and proud self- presentation. Much of Beowulf is devoted to articulating and illustrating this Germanic code which values strength, courage , and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings, ceremoniousness in women and good reputation of all people. Traditional and long- respected , this code is very important to Beowulf because it is the means of understanding the relationship to the world and its menaces lurking outside its boundaries .
             His conquering of Grendel and Grendel's mother validates for his reputation that the poem establishes for him from the beginning of the poem and leads Beowulf into complete heroic status. Over the first part of the poem , Beowulf experiences very little maturation as he possesses heroic qualities in abundance from the start The difference between these sets of values manifests itself early on in the outlooks of Beowulf and King Hrothgar: whereas the youthful Beowulf, having nothing to lose, desires personal glory, the aged Hrothgar, having much to lose, seeks protection for his people.
             While, throughout the poem, the values of the heroic code of the warrior become clear to us through Beowulf's example. The heroic code stipulates that a king should reward the loyal service of his warriors with gifts and praise and also provide them with protection and the sanctuary of a lavish mead-hall. The second part...