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.

Connor Reilly
British Literature
Mr. Caswell
19 September, 11
An Unfettered Warrior To a Mature King
The poem starts off with an immature Beowulf in his youth. Characterized by his strength and courage, his stories of achievements establish him as a perfect hero. The decisions and actions he makes put him on a path to become a great hero but lack the characteristics of a prodigious leader. The epic separates his phases of growing heroism through out his three increasingly difficult battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon. During these conflicts, spaced between a period of 50 years, Beowulf makes his transition from his unfettered warrior to a loyal mature king.
When Beowulf first arrives, he matures little as he already has the characteristic of a hero. However Hrothgar sees Beowulf’s potential and sets out to take advantage of Beowulf’s natural talent. As Beowulf begins to see Hrothgar as a mentor, the change in his figure becomes more and more evident in his actions. He begins to see the importance of loyalty and courtesy. The advice he receives helps to prepare Beowulf for the values demanded by the throne. Although it takes many years for Beowulf to take that position, it gives him time to change into the model he will become. Out of respect for the throne, he encourages Hygelac’s son to take his rightful position as the king. This gave Beowulf time to evolves and gain a greater appreciation for the people and the authority necessary for the high position. This ultimately reflects Beowulf’s change in ideals and his maturity.
