Beginning of Essay
Beowulf takes an especially interesting look at old age and its ramifications for kingship and heroism. The poem's two main characters, Beowulf and Hrothgar, have long been a study of contrast for scholars of the work, and of course it is Beowulf who emerges favo ....

Middle of Essay
.... of his character and touching on its significance to the values of the poem. I will make some observations and then try to draw some conclusions, as best as one can for a complex work such as Beowulf. Hrothgar's associations with women are not the only evidence that would support a "feminization" of his aged character. Hrothgar's laments for his own helpless state makes him even more helpless: rather than responding in action like Beowulf does, he gives in to despair. And if Tacitus were to be a guide, Hrothgar's grief over the loss of Aeschere would also be taken as a sign of excessive "feminine" behavior (Clark107-08). Hrothgar certainly would not ....