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Moral Lessons In Beowulf

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Every book has at least one character that learns lessons throughout the whole story, regardless of the setting and the intention of the book. The epic poem Beowulf is not an exception. Having a didactic characteristic, the book tries to teach the characters lessons and morals through different approaches. Written by an unknown author, the story takes place in Denmark and Geatland, nowadays Sweden, during the early 6th century. Beowulf, the main character as well as an epic hero, learns numerous lessons during his adventure to Denmark. The author uses didactic digression, a method of teaching a moral by moving away from the main story, to teach the main character about different morals in different situations. The stories regarding pride of Siegmund and Hermond, the lesson about revenge of Finn, Hnaf, and Hengest, and the advise on women and marriage of Thrith all show that the book Beowulf is didactic by teaching the epic hero important lessons in various aspects. Beowulf, a Geat warrior who succeeds in killing Grendel, the monstrous creature that haunted the Danes, learns a lesson by listening to the stories of Siegmund and Hermond. Siegmund, a generous and honorable king known for killing a dragon, brings back innumerable treasures after his journey. “His courage and strength had earned him a kinglike treasure, brought gold and rich rings to his glorious hands” (39). Siegmund shares the treasures with his warriors and rewards them with sufficient amount of jewels and

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