A well-respected, honored leader is a person that everyone strives to be. It is a type of person that everyone can look up to, try to emulate, and look to in times of distress. Although everyone is different in their own respects, there are characteristics common to most great leaders that can be picked out. The story Beowulf told by Robert Nye contains many different rulers that people follow. Among the various characteristics these men share, a few great qualities shine through, these being generosity, loyalty, and bravery. The leaders Beowulf and Hrothgar portray these qualities multiple times throughout the story.
Generosity to ones’ people and ones’ friends is a characteristic everyone wants in a leader. In the story, Beowulf defeats Grendel, an enemy of Hrothgar and his people. For this mighty deed performed, Hrothgar not only holds a party for several days in Beowulf’s honor, he also rewards him greatly with many riches (45-46). Another example of a leaders generosity takes place when Be
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A man Wiglaf also displays a great example of bravery. He was generous and gave all to his king. He goes forth with no idea on how to kill Grendel, just with the knowledge of his absolute goodness. He protected their lives while putting his own in peril. Beowulf stays in the hall where Hrothgar nearly fell and tries where he had failed (36-42). He is carrying many riches from his battles against evil in Hrothgar’s land. After defeating Grendel, Grendel’s mother came after Hrothgar and his people. He learns of this terrible monster when in the middle of one night, it comes to his grand hall and kills 30 of his warriors. This shows that Beowulf had no greed and did not desire any gold or riches. He tried to kill this mighty monster to defend his country and his people. He was loyal to them and didn’t let them march unnecessarily to their doom. The very next night, he and nine of his finest warlords stand to face this beast, bent on killing it. He and his company tracked Grendel’s mothers’ tracks until they reached her lair.
Loyalty is another quintessential quality in a leader. Beowulf simply said that all he gained was gained as a retainer of his king, so it all belonged to him (82-83).
Approximate Word count =
674
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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