A summary of Themes in 's Beowulf. ... As Beowulf is essentially a record of heroic deeds, the concept of identity—of which the two principal components are ancestral heritage and individual reputation—is clearly central to the poem. ... Thus individual actions can be seen only as either conforming to or violating the code. read more
The theme seen by J.R.R. Tolkien was the apposition of the rising powers of age with the declining powers of age, embodied by the Beowulf of the first and second parts of the poem. read more
Much of Beowulf is devoted to articulating and illustrating the Germanic heroic code, which values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; and good reputation in all people. read more
In Beowulf, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of the characters. One of the central themes of Beowulf, embodied by its title character, is loyalty. At every step of his career, loyalty is Beowulf's guiding virtue. read more