In the 5th Century CE, the mighty Roman Empire that had controlled the earth for so long crumbled. At that time, two worlds so far apart lost the virtual border that separated them and began to intermingle. However, this mighty kingdom had lasted so long and had so much control that there was an extreme divide between those who fell within and without the precincts of the empire. The two books juxtaposed herein a reflection of the quintessence of life in the two separate worlds. The sequestered and controlled life within the Roman Empire allowed for the festering of learning, Christianity and civilization. This is well featured in The Rule of St. Benedict . On the other hand, those without the empire thrived in barbarism and wild living, and due to a lack of education, their history was carried through oral literature. In this manner it became increasingly transformed to an extent that facts merged with fiction. This is clearly depicted in Beowulf . However, albeit the two books are set in exponentially different worlds with very divergent protagonists, a closer perusal reveals manifest similarities to a point of congruency between the protagonists St. Benedict and Beowulf.
The first point of convergence between the two individuals is in their character and capacities as both ideal rulers and subjects. St. Benedict is an ideal subject towards the king whom he refers to as the true King and also Christ the Lord (St. Benedict & Fry, 1982 pp.36). On the other hand, Beowulf is the ideal soldier serving under the king of the Geats as he was born in that domain. He also voluntarily serves as an ideal subject under Hrothgar the King of the Danes. In their own separate ways, exhibit a number of perfect subject characteristics. A good subject must always submit to the will of his master and never act without the express unction of his master.
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St. Benedict as a monk has dedicated his life to live according to the edicts of his master Christ as outlined in the bible. He also encourages his brother monks to live as such. On his part, Beowulf is a soldier and has, therefore, committed himself to live and die for his King. As shown in the book, even when he needs to depart from his kingdom for any adventure, he seeks permission from his King (Haley, 1978 pp.24). Another ideal characteristic of a good servant is sacrifice. St. Benedict sacrifices both affluence and family to serve his King while Beowulf is ready to die in combat in the service of King Hrothgar.
St. Benedict’s character as king is portrayed by his becoming a leader among his fellow monks and creating edicts within which lay rules and regulations governing their everyday life. A careful study of the rules as compared with the traditional life of a monk shows a caring and compassion person for his subjects. However, St. Benedict portrays himself as a great king as he is firm and authoritative (St. Benedict & Fry, 1982, pp.69). These characteristics are mirrored by Beowulf albeit in the form of a military ruler in a barbarian world that believes in revenge and gets attacked by dragons. As a king, Beowulf is a mighty military genius who successfully avenges his predecessor (Haley, 1978, pp.103). He also shows servant leadership and caring for his people when his Kingdom is attacked by a dragon. Albeit being grizzled old man, Beowulf is in the fore front and pays the ultimate price in the combat, but protects his subjects by slaying the dragon.
Poor servitude and rule are elucidated by some monks. It is worthy of notice that monks are subjects of Christ as their supreme king and also their rulers on earth who govern over the orders they fall under. Monks also play the part of rulers as leaders of the influential Catholic Church and would hold immense sway upon the church faithful. This places a monk in a complicated situation as the services available to him as a ruler have to be ignored for a lifetime of poverty and servitude to the king. Therefore, a monk in the monastery who allows himself to be served and taken care of by the servants who are readily available from the church becomes a bad servant of the King Christ (St. Benedict & Fry, 1982, pp.161).
Further, a monk who lords over the faithful and uses the excesses provided by the church for personal use is an example of a bad ruler as depicted by St. Benedict and Fry (1982). Using the excesses and largesse availed by the populace however, does not make one a bad ruler in Haley (1978). Indeed, it was common for all the rulers depicted in the poem to live a life of great luxury including Beowulf who was a great king. However, there is a good example of a bad king in Hrothgar the king of the Danes. All other examples of kings are great warriors who stand out in the battle fronts and protect their subject. Indeed majority of the rulers depicted in the poem die gallantly in battle while protecting their servants. King Hrothgar however, allows his many of his men to be killed by Grendel without raising a finger to protect them.
Further, when Beowulf, a foreign hero comes to help, King Hrothgar stays away from the fighting to save his own subjects and their residence. The first example of a bad subject is Unferth, a soldier who fights under Beowulf. In the battle against Grendel’s mother, Unferth not only refuses to join the battle but also subtly offer his ineffective sword to Beowulf, and being alone in a mortal battle with a defective sword almost proved fatal for him (Haley, 1978, pp.41). The second example of bad subjects is the soldiers in the service of Beowulf in his final battle. When Beowulf engages the Dragon, his soldiers, who are also his subjects flee the battle field and leave him at the mercy of the Dragon which mortally wounds him (Haley, 1978, pp.151). The heroics of one soldier, Wiglaf enables Beowulf to slay the Dragon albeit at the cost of his life, but had the soldiers not fled, Beowulf would not have died.
The two texts create general similarities in that it depicts systems of governance with a clear chain of command. Above all is a king, in St. Benedict and Fry (1982), this king is Christ while in Haley (1978), there is always a definite ruler who is above all. Under these rulers lie other levels of leadership that are subordinate rulers such as Beowulf when he was a commander prior to his being proclaimed king. There are also the queen, princes and generals. In St. Benedict and Fry (1982), the subordinate rulers include St. Benedict himself who is a ruler among monks and creates rules and regulations for them according to his understanding of the rules of the King Christ. The monks are also rulers to the lay members of the church.
There is however, a manifest difference in the way rulers operate in the two texts. In St. Benedict and Fry (1982), there is only one main king, Christ who is not in direct contact with his subjects. The subjects however, have to obey his edicts as provided by the subordinate rulers who govern through words and not military dominance. In extreme contrast, there are many kings in Haley (1978) such that except when fighting paranormal beings, most battles involve kings fighting against one another. The other difference is the fact that the authority of kings in Beowulf is from a military perspective and enforceable in a military manner. Kings, therefore, have active authority over their subjects. Finally, the kings generally have an obligation to protect their subjects with several kings in the poem including Beowulf, king Higlac and his son prince Heardred all dying in battle while protecting their subjects.
References
Haley, A. (ed) (1978). Beowulf . Wellesley, MA: Branden Books.
Saint Benedict & Fry, T. (1982). The rule of St. Benedict in English . Collegeville: Liturgical Press.
