Mercenaries and assassins kill people for money and reward. Pirates raid ships and sail to the farthest islands hoping that a forgotten treasure exist. Warriors travel great distances and fight powerful monsters for great treasures. Beowulf and his companions travel to Denmark for hopes of returning with large amounts of treasure and pride. Hrothgar's sermon recognizes the vices and virtues of past and present kings. If Beowulf becomes king and follows what Hrothgar does and says, then in Hrothgar's eyes, Beowulf is a great leader. In Hrothgar's eyes, Beowulf succeeds by mimicking Hrothgar policies, fathering the Geats, and earning the respect of followers.
             There are many links in Beowulf that connects the three parts into one poem. One link is the theme of the old king and the young warrior. Beowulf and Hrothgar are connected to each other in that way. Beowulf uses Hrothgar as a model king to depict what great kings are like. Beowulf exemplifies similar characteristics of a great king that he picks up from Hrothgar. First, Beowulf always fights alongside his fellow warrior and "stood before them all" (Beowulf, 2497). This is mentioned while Beowulf explains a battle that he took part in with his companions. Hrothgar also "rode before his men to the rush of swordswings- he was always in front when they fell around him" (B, 1041-42). Beowulf is mimicking a great leader to become one himself. Hrothgar is depicted as a great leader and following in the footsteps of a great leader means that you will be one too. Beowulf follows these footsteps by fighting in front of everyone else. In Hrothgar's kingdom, Hrothgar opened a grand meadhall to spread his treasures among his people. Beowulf also demonstrates this characteristic of sharing wealth in his dying words, "for such gold and gemstones that I now may leave to my beloved Geatfolk" (B, 2796-97). Even as Beowulf dies, he thinks about his people b...