payment page
Hygelac, the king of the Geats, is the uncle of Beowulf and the husband of Hygd. At the start of the poem, Beowulf leaves his uncle’s court to assist the Danish king, Hrothgar, in his fight against the monster Grendel. Hygelac is wary of Beowulf’s journey to Denmark because he knows that the battle will be treacherous. He is overjoyed when Beowulf returns, especially because he comes bearing riches and glory, and heartily welcomes him home. As a reward, Hygelac gives Beowulf a plethora of treasure and land of his own to rule.
Hygelac’s death results in Beowulf becoming king of the Geats; after both Hygelac and his son die, Beowulf ascends the throne. Both deaths serve as ominous portents of doom for Geatland; Hygelac died in a battle against the Frisians and his son was killed in a battle against the Swedes, and at the end of the poem, a messenger warns the Geats that these two groups will likely attack them now that Beowulf is dead. The poet briefly breaks from his narrative to confirm that many of the messenger’s predictions will come true. This brief but foreboding peek into the future highlights the cyclical nature of war and turmoil, and what exactly is at stake in a feudal society when one’s king falls. Just as Grendel’s mother posed a threat after Grendel was defeated and the dragon posed a threat after Grendel’s mother was defeated, so too will the invading tribes pose a threat now that the dragon has been defeated, particularly as the Geats no longer have the protection of a warrior-king. This poses the question of whether kings like Hygelac and Beowulf, though undoubtedly considered brave for charging into battle, also bear some responsibility for those they’ve left behind unprotected.
