In the Anglo-Saxon classic, Beowulf, there has been much critical debate as to whether the poet is attempting to showcase the futility of the heroic code, a prominent ideal of this time period. The heroic code outlined specific rules that lords and their retainers were expected to follow. In the event that a family member was slain, the slayer was expected to pay a “man-price” in the form of monetary compensation, their own death, or the death of one of the slayer's family members. There are many instances throughout the poem that seemingly portray the futility of such a code. However, important characters in this epic demonstrate otherwise. It is a somewhat difficult debate due to the nonsensical mingling of pagan and Christian theories. Overall, it can be said that Beowulf, ultimately, does not showcase the futility of the heroic code, but rather the physical and psychological limitations of man himself.
As stated above, there are many instances in Beowulf that seem to illustrate the incompetence of the heroic code, at least on the surface. An early example of this is at the beginning of the story when Hrothgar cannot stop Grendel from killing his men, and overtaking Heorot, the legendary mead hall. The poet expresses Hrothgar's despair when he states:
So Grendel ruled in defiance of right,/ one against all, until the greatest house/ in the world stood empty, a deserted wall stead./ For twelve winters, seasons of woe,/ the lord of the Shieldings suffered under/ his load of sorrow; and so, before long,/ the news was known over the whole world. (145-150)
This passage reveals that Grendel is blatantly disobeying the heroic code, and Hrothgar, nor any of his loyal thanes, can do anything about it. However, one must take into consideration that Grendel is a demon, a supernatural creature; therefore, Grendel cannot pay a man-price because he is not a human man. Even though Grendel ultimately pays his ONE life for the murder and mutilation of numerous humans, one must attribute this to his supernaturalness.
In addition to this, it is also revealed that Unferth, Hrothgar's strongest retainer, refuses to fight Grendel when Beowulf asserts:
The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly/ as keen or courageous as you claim to be/ Grendel would never have got away with/ such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king,/ havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere. (590-594)
Beowulf insults Unferth for not battling with Grendel, and essentially calls him a coward. However, it is mentioned previously in the story that Beowulf swam for a considerably unnatural period of time in a race against a man named Breca, and he was attacked by ferocious water demons, which he successfully defeated; therefore, we can conclude that Beowulf is also a bit supernatural, or a favorite of God. That being said, it is logical that Beowulf has the courage that Unferth so shamefully lacks to fight Grendel. He has experience in slaying monsters. It is not revealed in the story if Unferth or Hrothgar had to face an evil fiend other than Grendel. The point here is that the heroic code is inapplicable because it pertains to normal men. Unferth and Hrothgar cannot be blamed for lacking the gumption to battle with Grendel because the doubt the limits of, and possibly know the limits of, their strength. Beowulf, on the other hand, is confident that he is smart and strong enough to defeat Grendel; therefore, it is fitting that the task should fall to Beowulf himself.
In contrast to Beowulf's supernatural strength is his inability to escape aging. Towards the end of the tale, Beowulf is faced with the task of slaying a dragon, at a ripe old age of at least over fifty years. It is implied that, even if his men would have offered assistance, Beowulf would have refused aid when he claims:
Men-at-arms, remain here on the barrow,/ safe in your armor, to see which one of us/ is better at bearing/ wounds in a deadly fray. This fight is not yours,/ nor is it up to any man except me/ to measure his strength against the monster/ to prove his worth. I shall win the gold/ by my courage, or else mortal combat,/ doom of battle, will bear your lord away. (2532-2537)
Beowulf assumes the responsibility of battling with the dragon, just as he assumed the responsibility of killing Grendel. He states here that it is his sole duty to address this problem. Beowulf has the knowledge that, in his younger years, he was fully capable of defeating dangerous, evil fiends, which lends to his confidence in this last battle. Beowulf succeeds in slaying the dragon, but loses his life doing so. Again, the heroic code is inapplicable in this situation for two reasons. The first reason is that the fray does not involve mere men, but a monster and a man of high stature, ranking, and power, one that is portrayed in this story as having superhuman strength. The second reason is that Beowulf explicitly tells his men not to get involved, with the added fact that it is not revealed as to whether these men were as strong, honorable, and confident as Beowulf himself.
Even though Beowulf orders non assistance, a loyal retainer, Wiglaf, comes to his aide, and tries to revive him from his mortal wound. When Wiglaf returns to his people, he is angry and warns them when he admonishes:
Every one of you/ with freeholds of land, our whole nation/ will be dispossessed, once princes from beyond/ get tidings of how you turned and fled/ and disgraced yourselves. A warrior will sooner/ die than live a life of shame. (2886-2891)
Wiglaf illustrates his disappointment with his fellow retainers about not aiding Beowulf with the fight against the dragon, although Beowulf left specific instructions about not assisting him. Wiglaf also expresses his concern about foreign warriors conquering their lands once they hear of his people's cowardice. However, there is no warning from Wiglaf concerning grim, vile creatures, that seem to have been Beowulf's specialty. Perhaps Wiglaf's fellow thanes were more confident in battling other men with equal strength more so than evil monsters whose might and tactics were unpredictable.
Overall, it can be said that although the bard may be attempting to demonstrate the futility of the heroic code, he does not essentially achieve this goal, nor does he deflect the possibility that the heroic code is futile. If the scop was mainly interested in showcasing this futility in a more convincing argument, there should have been an absence of supernatural elements throughout the course of this poem. Because Anglo-Saxon society put such a high value on the heroic code, it could have been a system that diverted anarchy or nonsensical murders that men may have been apt to commit on the quest for land, glory, or other riches. Although there is a type of circular cycle to the heroic code, if it was completely futile, it is doubtful that lords and their retainers would have put so much effort into following such a code. Even though a significant portion of the characters in Beowulf seemingly portray the demise of the code, it is more suitable to say they illustrate knowledge of their own physical and psychological limitations. Beowulf, on the other hand, is showcased as the only man who can live above and beyond the code due to his super human strength, courage, and wits.
