The Resumé of a Monster Fighter, Part 3

We actually do not know. Beowulf never acknowledges Hrothgar's hint. We can, perhaps, picture him thinking something like, “Oh yes, that too, then,” but Beowulf is much more focused on another motive: bravado. He wants to make a name for himself by dealing with Hrothgar's monster problem. He wants glory, fame, and honor and perhaps a bit of the treasure that usually goes along with such esteem. The hero exudes self-confidence when he speaks to the coastguard. Iċ þæs Hrōðgār mæġ / þurh rūmne sefan ræd ġelæran, he promises (277b-278). “I can, by way of a spacious mind, advise Hrothgar counsel about that” (the king's current problem). Beowulf clearly thinks rather highly about himself. He, in his spacious mind, knows exactly what to do about Grendel. Bravado, indeed. The hero continues to emanate confidence as he tells Hrothgar all about his previous experience and then concludes, ond nū wið Grendel sceal, / wið þām āglæċan, āna ġehēġan / ðinġ wið þyrse (424b-426a). “And now against Grendel, against that formidable foe I myself shall hold a meeting with that demon.” I have come a long way, he adds, Heorot fælsian, “to cleanse Heorot” (431b). But that is not all. Beowulf wants to be fair. He knows that Grendel does not use weapons, so he will not either. Ac iċ mid grāpe sceal / fōn wið fēonde ond ymb feorh sacan, he boasts (438b-439). “But I with grasp shall grapple against the enemy and concerning life contend.” Beowulf plans to take down Grendel with his bare hands. This is the way warriors gain glory; they fight nearly impossible battles, and they do it in style. 

Beowulf ends his speech to Hrothgar with another touch of self-assured nonchalance. If he dies, he tells the king, Nā þū mīnne þearft hafalan hydan (445b-446a). “You need not hide my head.” You do not have to worry about burying me. Why? [B]yreð blōdiġ wæl, byrġean þenċeð, / eteð āngenġa unmurnlīċe (448-449). “He [Grendel] will carry my bloody corpse; he intends to taste; the solitary one will eat me ruthlessly.” Gæð ā wyrd swā hīo scel, Beowulf concludes (455b). “Fate will go as it must.” “If I die, then I die,” he seems to imply. At least he would perish doing something brave, so Hrothgar must not worry about it. Beowulf, as he later tells Wealtheow, resolves that Iċ ġefremman sceal / eorliċ ellen, oþðe endedæġ (636a-637). “I must accomplish heroic courage until my last day.” Now that is truly glorious bravado. 

Beowulf's resumé, then, seems to have everything exactly in place. He possesses the physical ability and strength to kill a monster like Grendel. He has a good deal of experience in such battles, having bound and slaughtered numerous horrible creatures in the past. He comes highly recommended by his countrymen. He even has the motive (although it might be new to him) of repaying his father's debt. Finally, Beowulf certainly exhibits all the self-confident, glory-seeking bravado we could wish for in a monster killing hero. So is Beowulf the best man for the job? Hrothgar apparently thinks so, for he entrusts Heorot to Beowulf in hopes that the warrior will get rid of Grendel once and for all. As it turns out, Hrothgar is right. Beowulf proves to be exactly the monster slayer he claims he is. His resumé rings true in the end as Grendel's cries of defeat ring out in the night.