Heroism has been viewed differently between various people. Their ideas can become altered with the experiences they go through. For some, heroism deals with courage, strength, power, and honor. For others, as seen in The Seafarer, they do not believe in rewards, but see that heroism is found in the past. The idea of comitatus is regarded as loyalty and aid to one another, which keep communities active and thriving. Most of the Anglo-Saxons have a major belief in comitatus. Warriors provide protection and loyalty for the land and possess qualities of bravery and generosity. This idea is critical in classical Anglo-Saxon life and can be seen in the epic poem Beowulf. In The Seafarer, however, the idea of heroism is shown as fading and is no longer valued. Comitatus dissolves and people lack heroism. The speaker in Beowulf has a positive perspective on heroism as being seen as important to oneself, while the speaker in The Seafarer has negative viewpoints seen as being disconnected from the people around because the world is changing.
In Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon life includes a hero’s deed that is filled with honor and pride. Unselfishly, the mighty warrior, Beowulf, gives up his life through sacrifice for his people and his kingdom. Heroism is seen as positive and a key part of life. The poem constantly highlights and shows Beowulf’s bravery and fearlessness. Bravery is important to Beowulf as he is about to fight the dragon. The speaker of the poem describes Beowulf’s thoughts, “Scorning to lead soldiers against such an enemy: he saw nothing to fear, thought nothing of the beasts claws, or wings, or flaming jaws–he had fought, before, against worse odds, had survived, been victorious, in harsher battles, beginning in Herot, Hrothgar’s unlucky hall. He’d killed Grendel; and his mother, swept that murdering tribe away” (2346-2354). Beowulf is completely fearless of the dragon and is willing to fight it with ease. The bravery he possesses is what helps him defeat the dragon and save his homeland. He thinks about his people and land before anything else, which is a major part of Anglo-Saxon life. Furthermore, the heroism seen in Beowulf includes strength and shows that a hero should be strong. Beowulf exhibits this by deciding to fight Grendel without weapons and armor. Before his battle with Grendel, Beowulf reveals, “My lord Higlac might think less of me if I let my sword go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid behind some broad linden shield: my hands alone shall fight for me, struggle for life against the monster” (435-440). Beowulf announces that he will fight Grendel with his bare hands which demonstrates great strength and power.
Fighting like this, he will gain glory and prove his great power to everyone and especially himself. Finally, loyalty is as important as bravery in Beowulf. Beowulf is not the only warrior that expresses the ideas of comitatus. The brave warrior Wiglaf shows loyalty to Beowulf by staying with him to fight the dragon, unlike the rest of the men. Wiglaf conveys his allegiance to Beowulf, “Beloved Beowulf, remember how you boasted, once, that nothing in the world would ever destroy your fame: fight to keep it, now, be strong and brave, my noble king, protecting life and fame together. My sword will fight at your side!” (2663-2667) Wiglaf is just as heroic as Beowulf and helps kill the dragon. He stays with his admired king, essentially sacrificing himself in order to save his people. The ideas of loyalty keeps Wiglaf alive and helps him become a hero. Overall, the speaker of Beowulf seems inspired by the actions of the warriors, especially Beowulf and Wiglaf. Becoming a hero essentially saves lives of many people and is praised amongst the land.
Unlike Beowulf, the speaker of The Seafarer has more of a negative perspective on heroism. The world is changing, so the idea is seen more as being disconnected from the people. He still takes challenges, but he does not do it the same way as in Beowulf. His challenges include traveling and sailing in the vast, dangerous seas. He does not slay a dragon, or kill monsters, but he just goes on adventures on his own. “That he feels no fear as the sails unfurl, wondering what Fate has willed and will do. No harps ring in his heart, no rewards, no passion for women, no worldly pleasures, nothing, only the ocean’s heave” (42-46). The Seafarer does not receive rewards like treasure and deep praise. Loneliness is prefered and he would rather be alone. Doing anything out of the ordinary to glorify himself is not necessary for him to be happy. He only obeys God. Additionally, the speaker is fearful of fate and the powers it has toward people. His Christian morality is different from the classical Anglo-Saxon belief of heroism. He emphasizes this as “death leaps at the fools who forget their God. He who lives humbly has angels from Heaven to carry him courage and strength and belief.
A man must conquer pride, not kill it, be firm with his fellows, chaste for himself, treat all the world as the world deserves, with love or with hate but never with harm” (108-114). The only true way of being a hero is to centralize the idea of going to heaven. A man must believe in fate and never forget that God is upon them. Obeying God is what is needed for self glory. Moreover, heroism is seen as changing, as the world is changing. Glory is growing old and an becomes an idea of the past. The speaker communicates, “The days are gone when the kingdoms of earth flourished in glory; now there are no rulers, no emperors, no givers of gold, as once there were, when wonderful things were worked among them and they lived in lordly magnificence. Those powers have vanished, those pleasures are dead” (82-88). The Seafarer laments the old days and previous lifestyles. He is mourning the change in the world and the way he recognizes it.
