Hobart Chen

Mr. Erickson
British Literature
6 September 2016
Shrewd Beowulf
Everyone who has a job interview experience knows an axiom: never hide your light
under a bushel. Therefore, how to sell oneself to others becomes a vital element on the path to
success, even back in the old days. For example, the famous Old English epic poem, Beowulf,
translated by Seamus Heaney, depicts a shrewd hero, Beowulf, who is skilled at showing his
power and selling himself. Once Beowulf arrives the land of Denmark to hunt down the terrible
monster, Grendel, he unveils the bushel and exposes his glittering light. By the allusion of his
eminent father, euphemism, and detailed description of his great triumphs and moderate demand,
Beowulf successfully makes the Danish coast-guard, Hrothgars herald and officer, and Hrothgar
believe that he is noble and powerful enough to kill Grendel.
For showing his nobility, Beowulf introduces himself to the coast-guard by mentioning
his famous father, Ecgtheow. He tells the coast-guard that,
In his day, my father was a famous man,
a noble warrior-lord named Ecgtheow.
He outlasted many a long winter
and went on his way. All over the world
men wise in counsel continue to remember him. (262-266)
The orthodoxy tradition of Anglo-Saxon period emphasizes the importance of lineage because
people believe that eagles do not breed doves. By referring to his heroic father, Beowulf alludes

to his own high status and great power. Therefore, by this wise rhetoric device, the coast-guard
quickly trusts Beowulf and leads him to Heorot.
Later, when Beowulf and his soldiers are going to enter Heorot, Beowulf utilizes an
astute strategy, euphemism, to present himself to Hrothgars herald. When Hrothgars herald asks
Beowulfs identity, Beowulf does not simply announce his name bluntly. Instead, he intentionally
flatters Hrothgar when he announces his identity for showing his respect and decorum to
Hrothgar. He replies,
If your lord and master, the most renowned
son of Halfdane, will hear me out
and graciously allow me to greet him in person,
I am ready and willing to report my errand. (344-347)
Instead of directly calling the kings name, Beowulf uses the most renowned son of Halfdane to
show his deference to the kings status. These humble and gentle sentences indicate that although
Beowulf is mainly described as a powerful and fearless person, he is also polite and decent.
Courtesy is important during this conversation because it makes the Hrothgars herald believe
that Beowulf comes here for peace, which allows Beowulf and his men enter the hall without
obstacle.
During the meeting with King Hrothgar, Beowulf gains Hrothgars trust by informing
Hrothgar of his great triumphs and moderate demand. He describes his unparalleled triumphs in
the pastbattling with five beasts and slaughtering sea-brutes. These incomparable triumphs
make his next claim, Now I mean to be a match for Grendel, / settle the outcome in single
combat (425-426). sound reasonable and plausible. Then, Beowulf proposes his simple request

if he is defeated, Hrothgar should return this breast-webbing that Weland fashioned / and
Hrethel gave me, to Lord Hygelec (453-454). As a hero who is going to rescue the Danes, he
could ask for far more than sending back his breast-webbing; he could have a grand funeral and
an abundant war pension. However, Beowulf, for allowing Hrothgar to believe him completely,
only requires a moderate demand as Hrothgars indication of appreciation to his effort and the
respect of his country. After these two effective ways of presenting himself, Beowulf is
immediately invited to take a seat at the table and continue telling his great feats.
Beowulf is not only, as most people know, a fearless warrior, but also a person with
wisdom and shrewdness. He is proud of his lineage and country when he announces his identity;
he is humble and gentle when he encounters Hrothgars herald; he is confident of his mission and
not greedy when he meets King Hrothgar. By carefully analyzing his conversations with the
coast-guard, Hrothgars herald, and King Hrothgar, readers will recognize that Beowulf is a
shrewd hero who is good at using diversified rhetorical devices such as allusion, euphemism,
detailed description to sell himself.