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Hrothgar Characters In Beowulf

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Hrothgar and the Chamber of Christians As Albus Dumbledore once said, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Choices play a large role in the epic poem Beowulf, especially when it comes to the King of the Danes, Hrothgar. Dumbledore, from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, and Hrothgar have more than just choices in common. They both represent an archetypal father figure, but each with fatal flaws of their own. Hrothgar, King of the Danes, faithfully served his people. He did everything he could to protect his people from the terrifying Son of Cain, Grendel, but was unsuccessful (Fellows 2). He was hopeless until a determined hero, Beowulf, came along and defeated the cruel monster. Hrothgar was so grateful, he offered to love Beowulf as his own, “Now, Beowulf, thee, / of …show more content…

They are not just father figures, but father figures to heros. Both Harry and Beowulf defeated great evils. In addition, Hrothgar and Dumbledore also share fatal flaws that will ultimately end in their failure: Hrothgar is Pagan and cannot protect his people, while Dumbledore could not keep himself alive while keeping up the double-agent act. Both characters are heroes in their own way, but in the end fail in one way or another. However, through their own good deeds and the deeds of their adoptive sons, everything works out in the end. All of the evil is banished, even though neither Hrothgar nor Dumbledore are around when this happens; Dumbledore is killed by his trusting nature while Hrothgar passes on from old age before Beowulf’s quest is finished. Heroic father figures can be seen throughout literature, anywhere one looks. The trick is finding someone real, who has flaws and makes mistakes, but still cares for their “son.” Dumbledore and Hrothgar both represent this unique character, and are both heroes in their

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