When Beowulf first arrives, he matures little as he already has the characteristic of a hero. However Hrothgar sees Beowulfs potential and sets out to take advantage of Beowulfs natural talent.

 As Beowulf grows older, his role as a leader becomes more important to him then to become famous. His ideals and goals change to become a more loyal and focused leader. This is evident in the comparison of Beowulf’s speeches before his first battle with Grendel and his final encounter against the dragon. The first speech depicts Beowulf as a self-confident warrior looking for the honor from the people. He portrayed himself as a stronger and braver warrior then the rest, promising to fight without weapons or shields only to gain extra glory for himself. "I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac's fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend (433-440) ." At this point in his life he cared about his image and wanted to be the greatest hero ever. He is also motivated by the promise of everything he has ever desired. Everything action Beowulf takes is only made to improve his lifestyle. Weather it is have all the riches or take the throne, his motivation is to benefit no one but himself. Conversely, in his last speech Beowulf recalls his past achievements and path to kinghood. The mood of this speech is much different then those in the past. Humbled, he understands the fact that this could very well be his last battle. He is willing to fight the dragon, not to show his heroism and bravery, but to defend his people and those who look up to him. " ‘You are the last of us, the only one left of the Waegmundings. Fate swept us away,  sent my whole brave highborn clan to their final doom. Now I must follow them.’ That was the warrior's last word.  He had no more to confide. The furious heat of the pyre would assail him. His soul fled from his breast to its destined place among the steadfast ones (2813-2820).”

        The actions of Beowulf at the beginning of the epic show arrogance and haughtiness, making the Danes irrelevant in Beowulf’s quest to be famous. As Beowulf grows older and experience more battles, he learns what is truly important to him. Beowulf’s last battle was not meant to make people remember him as the greatest warrior, but to make them remember him as the most loyal and dedicated leader they have ever had. This change in mindset, is the greatest example in showing that Beowulf did grow in heroic stature. The epic isn’t about being the bravest or the strongest. It teaches the importance of courtesy, loyalty, wisdom and fortitude. These are the characteristic needed to be that great leader that Beowulf wanted to become as he became more mature. The change in his outlook and mentality through out the stages of his life,  from an arrogant warrior to the loyal leader that died for his people, truly shows the growth in Beowulf’s heroic stature.