The purpose of the anonymous author of Beowulf appears to have been crafting an epic that demonstrates the values and ideals of the warrior society portrayed. Within the work, we see that Beowulf represents the virtues and ideals considered supreme by the king of the Danes, Hrothgar. The savage nature of warrior society often causes its members, however, to exhibit hubris. This overbearing pride and arrogance often needs tempered with humility in order to keep from acting as a degrading force of character, and, at its worse, to keep hubris from leading to oneÆs demise. We see that if Beowulf represents the ideal warrior and the most dearly held virtues of Danish or Norse society, then it is because he is able to temper hubris with humility.
The plot of Beowulf is fairly straightforward. BeowulfÆs aid is enlisted by Hrothgar to kill the monstrous Grendel and his mother, who have been murdering HrothgarÆs warriors. Beowulf is invited to HrothgarÆs for a sumptuous feast. It is here that he meets the fierce Grendel, and in the ensuing battle rips off the GrendelÆs arm and shoulder with his bare hands. The community established by Hrothgar is portrayed as a close-knit band of noble, honorable men who brook no threat to their solidarity or community. Grendel is such a threat. Violent, arrogant, and filled with pride, the hubris of Grendel will result in the death of the monster and his mother. When Beowulf rips off GrendelÆs arm and shoulder, we see that Hrothgar acts as if vanquishing this hubris-filled monster is a sign of GodÆs grace, ôI endured much from my foe, many griefs from Grendel: God may always work wonder upon wonder, the Guardian of Heaven,ö (Abrams, 1979, p. 45).
The quality of hubris is one that is easily manifested in a warrior society where battles and killing are a normal part of existence. However, we see that the values of loyalty, courage, trust, and respect are more valua
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