ood grace he helped himselfwon his own revenge. The help that I gave him was nothing, but it was all that I could giveand now the giving of swords, of golden rings and rich estates is over, ended for you and everyone who shares your blood. Death would be better than the life you can lead, branded with disgrace! Beowulf is basically a patriotic poem concerned with king and kingship. Strength and courage are basic virtues for both the leader and the followers. The followers commitment is to loyalty, where the leaders is to the sustentation and safekeeping of the people. The poem is an archeological document as it is a piece of enjoyable literature. The insight into the culture of the people and land is invaluable, and the knowledge learned, priceless. And so Beowulfs followers rode, mourning their beloved leader, crying that no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, so open to his people, so deserving of praise....
