The themes of fame (sometimes best thought of as reputation) and, even more, generosity dominate this section as Hrothgar warns Beowulf of the dangers of the former and the virtues of the latter. It may seem odd to a modern reader that the celebration of his outstanding victory should be interrupted by a solemn sermon by Hrothgar, a king who was unable to protect his own people. Nevertheless, Beowulf respects the wisdom of the aging king and patiently listens.
The trophy of Grendel’s head is more satisfying to Beowulf and more valuable to him than the riches that he might have retrieved from the cave of the ogres, because of the important achievement that it symbolizes. Beowulf also presents Hrothgar with the “strange gold hilt” (1677) of the giant sword. This trophy, along with Beowulf’s account of its magic, seems to bring on the king’s reflective mood. We are informed that the hilt’s engravings tell the story of “the origin of past strife, when the flood drowned, / the pouring ocean killed the race of giants” (1689–90). There are also runes on the hilt revealing the identity of the first owner. Hrothgar considers the ephemerality of human existence and the vanity of earthly achievement. His mood seems to silence the crowd. It is not Hrothgar’s own vanity that precipitates his speech but a genuine concern for the young warrior.
Hrothgar quietly begins by praising Beowulf but quickly follows with a warning. If a leader is not careful, God’s gifts can lead him to vanity. The Danes’ chief example of a gifted king gone wrong is Heremod, who not only failed to treat his people generously but actually killed other Danes in his own hall, a sin of unpardonable proportion in the world of the comitatus, the honor code binding a ruler to his thanes. Among other sins, Heremod indulged in hubris, an overwhelming pride or arrogance that leads to outrageous behavior. He lived a joyless life and justifiably suffered for the damage that he brought to his people.
