Encomium of Person
On the Person of Beowulf
This is an example of an Encomium, an expression of praise for a person, place, thing, or idea. Learning to write an Encomium is part of the progymnasmata (classical writing exercises to be learned prior to the study of Rhetoric).
Of all the great men, from all of the great stories, throughout all of the great swath of time known as the Middle Ages, was there ever a man so worthy of praise as Beowulf the king of the Geats? Born into a people whose primary ambitions in life amounted to little more than revenge against past hurts and the acquisition of gold and fine weaponry one could hardly expect to find a man of genuine virtue among them. Nevertheless, it is just this environment which yielded forth a man whose humility and service to his fellows could only be paralleled by his physical strength and prowess upon the battlefield.
The Geats were a Scandinavian people who dwelt in the southern part of what is now modern day Sweden. Not at all unlike many other tribes in that part of the world at the time, the Geats were a semi-nomadic people just starting to develop towards something like a settled civilization. War was a constant plague upon the wellbeing of their people for feuds between the Geats, Danes, Frisians, and other viking tribes had dragged on for many generations. So long had they endured, in fact, that often there was little remembrance of what had first begun the blood-feuding. Having long worshiped the traditional Norse gods such as Woden and Thor, the vikings were a brutal and blood-thirsty people and were often merciless toward their neighbors let alone their enemies. Still a knowledge of the one true God had begun to make inroads among the Norse people due to their contact with Christian nations like England and France during their many campaigns of invasion and plundering. This was the world and situation into which Beowulf, the son Ecgtheow, was born. Fostered out to the house of King Hrethel, he was raised much like one of the king’s own sons and given the education of a good thane.
Among the many things a young viking prince would have learned were the statecraft and manners of nobility, the sword and warcraft of a warrior, and the appropriate piety of religion. In all of these things, it is clear enough that Beowulf excelled beyond his peers. His excellence was not merely due to his receptiveness to the lessons of his mentors, but also due to his own God-given drive to push himself in excellence. This drive for excellence can be easily seen when one considers the way he challenged his friends to compete in acts of bravery such as when he and Breca strove in a great swimming race in the sea (despite the danger of great monsters in the depths). His statecraft is also easily seen in his courteousness of address to kings like Hrothgar and Hygelac, showing proper deference to their high station while still speaking with confidence in their presence. His sword and battlecraft, who could doubt? For who among men slew so many worthy foes and monsters by the sword or beat them into submission by pure grappling strength? Finally, of his piety what could make this more clear than his many words of confidence in the sovereignty of God? As Beowulf proclaimed before his legendary brawl with Grendel, he knew that “the Divine Lord in His wisdom” would “grant the glory of victory to whichever side He sees fit.”
Most men of such unfathomable strength would become arrogant, puffed up by the pride of their many successes in battle. Consider the likes of Achilles, Heracles, or even Samson and you will find this to be true! But though he may have had reason to be proud it is obvious to see that humility was a defining quality of his nature. Just observe the patience and kindness he showed toward Unferth who, at first, sought to shame Beowulf with his words. Though many men would have held a grudge against Unferth for this behavior Beowulf condescended to humbly accept Unferth’s help when he later offered his sword to aid in the fight against Grendel’s mother. When that sword availed not one whit Beowulf took no occasion to humiliate Unferth (as well he might have). Rather, he spoke words of hearty thanks and honored him for his assistance. Further, where it would have been easy for Beowulf to insinuate himself into a ready position to take the throne from Hrothgar after defeating those plagues of Heorot, he made no such attempt but thought only of the good of his neighbors; the Danes. Nor did he seek the throne of his own people, the Geats, for himself. Never once did he try to wrest that power from Hygelac nor his son after him. He only accepted the rule when it fell to him of necessity and by the desire of the people. As Plato once said, “In a city full of good men they would fight not to rule!” Besides his humility many other virtues could be accounted to this great man. He was a man of true justice; bringing wrongdoers to account, acting generously towards his thanes and dispensing good gifts to his faithful men, and making peace between tribes which had been feuding for many generations. He was deeply loved by those who loved good, and greatly feared by those who loved evil.
To whom may we compare such a marvelous man other than King David? In his wisdom and piety is he not a good match? Beowulf always worked with a heart to do what was right before God and toward his fellow men; just as David did. Both were eager for peace but ready for war. Though quite capable of leading (indeed destined to lead) both were deferential to the Lord’s anointed whilst they still sat lawfully on their throne. Both smote the heads from giants who threatened to undo their friends. Of the enemies of the Geats could we not easily say, just as was said of Saul and David, that “Hygelac slew his thousands and Beowulf his ten thousands?” Do not both David and Beowulf deserve to be marked down as two of greatest leaders ever to rule a people?
Indeed when you find yourself at a moment in life, as inevitably we all do, where courage, kindness, prudence, humility, strength, and honor are all equally necessary, look ye to Beowulf! Remember his example of word and deed which always so well fit the occasion. Just as he trusted the Almighty and acted according to the dictates of prudence, so we too must be like him. Let us always look to make peace and heal old wounds while never flinching from a fight that is needful in order to defend that which is good and right. Let us be mindful of where we have been placed, never exalting ourselves but faithfully serving others. Let us wait on the Lord to raise our heads above our enemies, to set us in seats of honor among our friends, and place our feet upon a firm foundation that we might not be shaken by storms. Let us die, for death comes to all, like Beowulf who died with honor and courage and in the service of his people.