As seen in Beowulf, the feudal relationship of comitatus existed in Anglo-Saxon warrior culture between a lord or king and the free man who fought for him. Good examples are the relationships between Hrothgar and Beowulf, between Beowulf and the Geats who fight Grendel with him, and between Beowulf and Wiglaf. When Beowulf is King of the Geats, they break the relationship of comitatus by running away and leaving Beowulf to face the dragon.

In "Beowulf," the relationship between a lord and his warriors is based on the concept of "Comitatus," a mutual bond of loyalty and protection. The lord provides wealth, protection, and land to his warriors, who, in return, pledge to defend the lord and his realm, even at the cost of their lives. This relationship emphasizes strength, generosity, and loyalty, forming the basis of early feudal systems and often leading to cycles of revenge and blood feuds.

In "Beowulf," gold treasure symbolizes loyalty and leadership. Initially, it is used by leaders like Hrothgar to reward warriors, strengthening alliances. Beowulf's gifts from Hrothgar highlight his importance and the value of such exchanges. Conversely, kings like Heremod, who fail to distribute wealth, are depicted negatively. The dragon's hoarding represents a misuse of treasure, illustrating that wealth should benefit society, not be squandered. Thus, gold's significance evolves from a personal reward to a communal asset.

The warrior codes in "Beowulf" include the "blood for blood" code, which dictates that clans must seek revenge if a member is killed by another clan, leading to cycles of retaliation. Another code is valor, where warriors like Beowulf are expected to demonstrate bravery and honor in battle, maintain self-control, and act justly without exploiting their strength against weaker individuals.

Hrothgar's achievements in Beowulf highlight key values of his society: effective leadership, symbolized by his military success; the construction of a great mead-hall, representing both protection and a display of power; and the importance of rewarding loyalty and bravery, as shown by his generosity in gifting rings and torques. These aspects reflect the societal emphasis on leadership, communal strength, and reciprocal loyalty during the Anglo-Saxon period.

The epic poem describes the social custom of gift-giving as crucial to relationships between lords and warriors. Kings bestowed valuable gifts like rings, armor, and gold to warriors who demonstrated bravery, signifying their importance in society. Receiving gifts was seen as a mark of honor and status. This custom is exemplified when Hrothgar rewards Beowulf, highlighting the significance of gift-giving in reinforcing social bonds and recognizing heroic deeds.

Beowulf's gifts, such as his strength and courage, provide him with prestige and fame, earning him acclaim and status both in Denmark and Geatland, ultimately leading to his kingship. However, these gifts also bring challenges, as they provoke envy from others, like Unferth, and require him to face dangerous foes like Grendel and the dragon. This constant need to prove his worth through perilous feats creates significant pressure and risk of harm.

1. The Anglo-Saxons believed that Fate (Wyrd) was in control of their destinies and that words spoken were the actions with which they could define themselves. 2. Beowulf shows us a culture where speaking oaths and promises and then endeavoring to keep them (win or lose) was the means to achieve honor and lasting glory. 3. Unferth is an example of how not to act, because he did not try at all, which makes him a coward in this culture. 4. Beowulf is given glory for his deeds even though he died because doing the deed itself was more important than the outcome of the battle. 5. Beowulf'

The failure of Comitatus during the dragon fight

The exchange between Beowulf and Unferth is significant as it highlights themes of heroism and jealousy. Unferth, envious of Beowulf's reputation, tries to undermine him by questioning his past deeds. Beowulf's confident rebuttal not only reaffirms his heroic status but also exposes Unferth's own failings, setting the stage for Beowulf's subsequent triumphs and solidifying his role as a true hero.