Comitatus in Beowulf: A Reflection of a True Epic Hero
Comitatus in Beowulf is an agreement or bond between a nobleman and his warriors. It is a sworn oath that involves allegiance, loyalty, and bravery. In the epic poem Beowulf, there are several illustrations of how pagans honor the comitatus connection. Read on to learn more about the aspects of loyalty and commitment in the epic poem of Beowulf!
What Is Comitatus in Beowulf?
Comitatus in Beowulf is the bond between Beowulf and Hrothgar, Beowulf and his warriors, and Beowulf and Wiglaf. It is the relationship of partnership that is mutually beneficial to both parties. The term “comitatus” was used in Anglo-Saxon literature to denote a relationship obliging kings to rule with their warriors.
Importance of the Comitatus Code
The Comitatus Code is an important aspect of Viking culture and dignity. The comitatus relationship is mentioned multiple times in Beowulf. During the period that Beowulf was set, the comitatus connection was important. It is a term derived from Latin that refers to a particular type of relationship.
Comitatus Shown in Beowulf
The code of comitatus in Beowulf is shown as the relationship depicted between Hrothgar and his retainers. Another demonstration of this relationship is between Beowulf and his soldiers. This also covers Beowulf’s people, the Geats, and the Danes, who are Hrothgar’s people.
In Beowulf’s time, he and his soldiers traveled to the land of the Danes to help them in their hour of need. This scenario clearly illustrates the relationship between the Geats and the Danes. Beowulf’s men show great comitatus in the first two battles, which contributed to Beowulf’s victory.
The social links within society deepen the comitatus connection even further. As mentioned in the first section of the poem, this was represented between the thane Beowulf and Lord Hrothgar when Beowulf protected Hrothgar.
Examples of Comitatus Relationship in Beowulf
The first great example of a comitatus connection in Beowulf is that of Beowulf’s devotion to King Hrothgar. He swore to guard the Hall of Heorot and protect it from the monster, Grendel.
For twelve years, Grendel has been attacking the mead hall as he is enraged by the noise made by Hrothgar’s people whenever they are feasting. Grendel would break into the hall and eat them. Although Beowulf is from a different land, when he heard of this, he did not hesitate to help King Hrothgar. He succeeded in killing the monster, and Hrothgar showered Beowulf with riches and even treated him as a son.
Beowulf continued to support and help King Hrothgar by killing Grendel’s mother and restoring peace in the land of the Danes. He returned home a wealthy man with both financial and social riches.
Another example is between Beowulf and his thanes. Despite the fact that Beowulf is not a king at the beginning of the story, he is the son of a king and possessed a high social rank even before meeting Hrothgar. Beowulf’s warriors are committed to him, and they go with him to fight in dangerous situations. During his fight with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf spent nine hours underwater, and his men and King Hrothgar thought he was already dead and began to mourn him.
Wiglaf’s Loyalty Comitatus to Beowulf
Wiglaf is the most loyal thane that Beowulf had. Wiglaf first appeared in the epic poem on line 2602, as a member of the thanes who accompanied Beowulf to his final battle with the dragon. This is the first time that Wiglaf will be fighting alongside Beowulf. Wiglaf’s nature as a warrior who is fully devoted to his lord Beowulf is tied to his kinship. He is from a noble pedigree, and scholars believed he is Beowulf’s nephew.
Wiglaf was the only thane left to help Beowulf when he was left unarmed in his final battle with the fire-breathing dragon. All of the other ten warriors fled in terror and did not fulfill their duties as stated in their comitatus agreement. Wiglaf criticizes the other thanes as he rushed to Beowulf’s side. Together, they were able to defeat the dragon, but Beowulf suffered a fatal wound.
Wiglaf gathers riches from the dragon’s cave and sets them where Beowulf can view them, as instructed by Beowulf. Beowulf, who was dying, declared Wiglaf his successor and told him to build him a grave mound. Wiglaf, upon his return, condemns the other men who accompanied Beowulf and orders their exile.
Examples of Fate in Beowulf
From the beginning until the end of the epic poem, Beowulf’s destiny is led by fate. First, he went into battle against Grendel with confidence because he believed that he would triumph. Beowulf declares that fate will take its course as it must in his approaching confrontation with Grendel. Then, he returned to his people as a respected hero to eventually fight with a dragon before meeting his fate.
Another illustration is when it comes to death. Pagans believe that if a man is to die, there is nothing he could do to avoid it. This must be one of the reasons why Beowulf confronted the dragon. He believes that if it were his time to die, then he would die, but if fate allowed him to live, then he would triumph again.
Similarly, despite guarding the treasure for generations, the dragon was doomed to fall into the hands of an old man, as mentioned in lines 1717 to 1721 of the epic poem. As a result, the ending of the entire conflict is stated even at the start of the narrative, giving it an omniscient perspective.
In the lives of pagan societies throughout history, fate played a significant part. This is clearly demonstrated in Beowulf, in which the protagonist is a pagan warrior who repeatedly defeats his opponents because it is his destiny. Some may even see the poem as a series of examples of fate at work.
Beowulf Reflects the Values of an Epic Hero
Based on the epic poem, Beowulf, a great thane must possess specific values in order to live the heroic code and maintain his place in society. These important values are bravery, honor, and loyalty. These traits were clearly demonstrated by Beowulf in everything he did. His sword skills, as well as his strength and valor, greatly epitomized the Anglo-Saxon culture. This poem shows a battle between good and evil, and it represents the culture by elevating Beowulf to the position of hero by fighting evil.
During his first two battles, Beowulf showed bravery, strength, and loyalty when he helped Hrothgar and the people of the Danes get rid of Grendel and Grendel’s mother. In his last and final battle with the fire-breathing dragon, Beowulf showed his love for his people and his commitment to protect them, even if it meant death for him.
The Role of Comitatus in Anglo-Saxon Times
The function of “comitatus” is to serve as an agreement for an armed escort. During the Anglo-Saxon period, the comitatus refers to the oath sworn by warriors to a leader. The warriors pledge their allegiance and loyalty to their king to the point of dying to protect him. In exchange for this, the nobleman will provide land, money, and weapons to the warriors.
This may sound like a standard warrior-defending-master relationship, but a lord’s relationship with his thanes is significantly more complicated. The Anglo-Saxon hero’s perfection is symbolized by the idea of continually living up to the comitatus.
For an Anglo-Saxon warrior, dying in battle is the highest honor. They are fulfilling their duties as soldiers by doing so.
Comitatus Connection Being Formed
A comitatus connection begins when one of the noblemen announces that he wants adherents to accompany him on an expedition into enemy territory. The agreement will attract those who are interested, mainly soldiers, to volunteer their services.
Typically, the relationship between the lord and his thanes is familial, as with many other protective alliances. It usually is the case in a situation where the lord’s life depends on the loyalty of his troops. Anglo-Saxon society does not favor someone who goes against his family.
The lord and thane relationship is one of the closest in a protector/protectee relationship. A king and his thane must play certain roles in this relationship. The code of comitatus not only defines guidelines for the activities of the lord and thane, but it also converts a service relationship into a love and friendship bond.
Origin of Comitatus
Throughout history, rulers have always protected their kingdoms. They create a special relationship with the people to protect them while keeping control over their territory. Oftentimes, this is accomplished by putting fear in their troops or by instilling respect between them.
A Roman historian named Tacitus is credited with coining the term “comitatus” as early as 98 A.D. According to his treatise, comitatus is the link that exists between a Germanic warrior and his lord. It is derived from the collective of Latin words “comes” and “comitem,” which mean “a companion” or “an associate.” Comitatus directly translates to “body of companions and attendants.” There are different comitatus pronunciations, but the most common phonetic pronunciation are “co-mi-ta-tus” and “co-mit-a-tus.”
This refers to a particular type of relationship that develops a mutually beneficial connection between a king or nobleman and warriors. The Warriors are obligated to protect and fight for their lord, while the lord is obligated to provide the warriors with financial assistance and social power.
Social power is beneficial as even those of lower status who enter into comitatus agreements have the opportunity to rise through the ranks to become lords. Strong warriors may use the connection to demonstrate their abilities and be rewarded for them, while kings could use it to recruit formidable fighters to help them with their campaigns.
Conclusion
In Beowulf, the epic poem, the comitatus alliance is well-established. Being set in the Anglo-Saxon period, it reflects the pagan beliefs of the author. Let us outline what we have learned below:
- What is comitatus in Beowulf? This pertains to the bonds between Beowulf and Hrothgar, Beowulf and his warriors, and Beowulf and Wiglaf.
- Who has proven his loyalty, as stated in his comitatus agreement to Beowulf? Wiglaf. When all of the other thanes fled, Wiglaf was the only one left to assist Beowulf in his final battle, and together, they were able to defeat the dragon.
- What is the distinct characteristic of a comitatus connection? Simply described, it is an ancient kind of payment for protection. It is a specific arrangement between a lord and his warriors, requiring the warriors to serve and protect their lord until death, while the lord must compensate the warriors with financial and social benefits.
The epic poem Beowulf has several illustrations of the comitatus connection. There is much to learn about how it was practiced during the Anglo-Saxon period, but it all boils down to warriors’ loyalty, bravery, honor, and heroism to put their lives on the line for others. Even if it is properly compensated, only a true epic hero can accomplish such a sacrificial act.
