Rings are to medieval lords and servants what medals are to athletes: a reward earned through hard work and dedication to a cause that makes them feel empowered and useful, and at the same time reminding them to work harder and strive to be better in the future. In the epic poem Beowulf, rings, which are often seen as simple jewelry, are actually symbolic of ideas, values, and power; thus becoming much more than a piece of metal or the image of a circle, but a representation of the promises, prosperity, protection and authority that are ever present throughout the text. As the story progresses, readers discover the different lights in which the rings are mentioned and discussed, showing a varied perspective on their importance and symbolism. The ring symbolizes all the ideals of proper dynastic leadership and the quintessential relationship between a king, his lords and his servants. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The rings symbolize the promise to uphold the country's ideals, to be a good citizen, and to always act when expected. Throughout the story, readers are reminded of the relationship between a king and his lords and servants. The king provides protection and generosity to the lords and servants, who in turn provide loyalty and power to the king. One way kings show generosity towards their subjects is by giving them spoils of war, namely rings. However, the rings represent more than simple generosity, and to servants and lords they are more than simple symbols of loyalty: they represent a promise. Receiving a ring from the king, the embodiment of the dynasty, represents not only the leadership's trust in the recipient, but the responsibility they have towards their own dynasty. It is important that this honored custom is granted and maintained. This is clearly shown in the description of the funeral of the greatest ruler of the Danes, Shield Sheafson: "They laid out their beloved lord in his barque, / laid out by the mast, amidships, / the great giver of rings" (34-36 ). Shield is often alluded to as their ideal king and sets the bar to which all other kings are compared. Calling him their beloved lord shows that he is loved and revered by his subjects. This praise goes hand in hand with Shield's naming as the "great ring giver." He is loved because he gives rings to servants and is a good king, and saying that he is the great giver of rings immediately adds to the positive intention of the sentence not only for the connotation of the compliment, but also for the meaning it has. brings. This kenning tells readers that Shield Sheafson gives rings to his people as spoils of war, which maintains the king-lord-follower relationship through the rings specifically, increasing the approval the kingdom gives him. In fact, there are many instances throughout the book where this phrase can be spotted; they all indicate a positive view of the king because they show that the king gives both his trust and a responsibility towards his people, and they accept and promise to live up to the expectations that accompany each. But a promise of faith to the king by the lords and servants is not the only promise represented by the pieces of metal. Kings aren't just supposed to give rings, they are expected to do so. To ensure the continuation of the business, King Hrothgar, a later king of the Danes, built a large structure called the Heorot Hall in which he could always give rings and other spoils of war to his people, and "neither renounced himself / but at table they distributed rings and pairs” (80-81).relationship and has created a permanent reminder of how it intends to support it. Both Shield and Hrothgar earned the status of great kings by keeping promises to be generous and kind and by giving their people a duty they could promise to undertake. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that earthly, God-given success must be handled with humility and a sense of sharing, otherwise the earthly king will bring his own downfall. Hrothgar tells Beowulf of a selfish king: "What he has long held seems too little to him, he longs for it with an angry heart, he gives not rings plated in honor of men, and then he forgets and does not consider his destiny because of what God, Holder of Heaven, has already previously given him his portion of glories. The phrase "desire" is strongly reminiscent of the Christian Ten Commandments, according to which material desire leads one to desire more and more until nothing is enough. Therefore, a good king is willing to share his earthly goods; he is one who "gives precious gifts with ease, does not guard them with fear". and that ultimately "weakens, falls doomed." Although many deep meanings can be drawn from the symbolism of the rings, they still represent the more superficial implications that accompany the jewelry; the rings represent wealth and prosperity. The ability to give rings without hesitation and naming kings as “great ring givers” shows that a dynasty is doing well enough to have extra wealth and a desire to share it with the populace. It showcases the goodness of the king as well as the success and prosperity of the dynasty under his rule. Even in the midst of danger, the narrator never fails to remind readers of the riches of the kingdom. This can be seen as Grendel moves to attack Heorot Hall: “So, after dark, Grendel set out/ to the high house, to see how the Ring Danes/ were settling down after drinking.” Instead of calling Danes rich or wealthy, they are called Ring-Danes, meaning they have and give rings as gifts. This shows their level of wealth in just four letters and relates the importance of the rings because they were chosen as the jewel with which to describe all riches. Another place where the ring's significance and representation of luck is shown is when Beowulf is presented with a golden pair after defeating Grendel. The story of the couple is told: “Hygelac the Geat, grandson of Swerting,/ wore this ring around his neck on his last raid;/ at bay under his banner, he defended the booty,/ the treasure he had conquered.” Instead of being called a necklace, the torque is presented as a neck ring, because the word “ring” is more significant and symbolic of wealth than “necklace”. This specific artifact was worn by Hygelac when he defended the treasure, and he is now famous for the feat. Furthermore, it has become a representation of his courage and the wealth he preserved by protecting the riches. When used as an adjective, the word “ring” . ” becomes larger than a piece of metal, but a representation of the wealth and prosperity of a dynasty. It is important that rings are looked at beyond their common physical form; the rings can also be impenetrable shapes and boundaries, a defense force field can also accompany this defense mechanism in the form of decoration, but they are still always present When Beowulf recounts his fight with the sea creatures during the swimming race with Brecca , describes how the rings helped him preserve his life in the heat of combat. : “My armor has held me to stand;/ My hard-ringed mail, hand-forged and linked,/a thin, clinging filigree of gold,/ Kept me safe when some ocean creature/ Dragged me to the bottom" (550-554). Here Beowulf describes how his coat of mail, composed of a series of rings braided metal rings, protected him as he fought the creatures in the ocean. It is thanks to these metal rings that he survived the fight; it is with them that he was able to emerge from the ocean and take a victorious breath. However, chain mail is not the only piece of armor that uses rings is later described: “An embossed ring, a wire-covered band/ arched over the helmet: head protection/ to prevent the sharp cutting edge/ from damaging it when the danger is threatened” (1029-1032). The ring is so significantly protective that a practical yet decorative piece of metal was fashioned into one and placed on top of a helmet to protect both the user and the armor itself companion to a helmet: just a piece of protective armor, and if accompanied by a ring, a helmet will become a physical representation of defense. However, metaphorical rings are just as protective as those that are quite literal. . As Beowulf asks Hrothgar for permission to fight Grendel, he implores: "And so, my request, O king of the Bright Danes, / dear prince of the Shields, friend of the people / and of the ring of defense, my only request... ." (427-429). Hrothgar is called the "ring of defense" of the Shields. This means that he is their protector and defends them from all harm. This is both a compliment to Hrothgar and another example of how the rings are protective; they are a metaphorical border of safety. Whether metaphorical or physical, rings are impenetrable boundaries that protect people in more ways than one. The rings represent the rules of the country and the willingness of the people to follow them; they are a symbol of authority. Kings and queens wear rings and give them to their subjects. They are rewards for cooperation and good deeds, given by people in positions of authority. Each is worn on the finger as an infinite reminder of the ruling figures of the dynasty who so generously gave the jewels to their followers and their people whom they protect with all their power. They mark both those in authority and those who have served their authority figures well enough to be in possession of a tangible representation of their gratitude. When Hrothgar held a banquet for Beowulf's arrival, his queen, Wealhtheow, fulfilled her role in society as "[she] went about, / regal and dignified, decked with rings, / offering the cup [of wine] at all ranks." ..." (620-622). Here she is described as regal and dignified, and is completing a task that is part of her obligations to society. Furthermore, Wealhtheow is adorned with rings. The connection between being authoritative and correct and wearing rings is clearly drawn in this excerpt, and perfectly exemplifies the profound representation of authority that rings carry. But the representation of authority in the rings goes beyond just the person possessing the quality; shows people's willingness to cooperate with those in positions of authoritative power. After Beowulf's ship lands in the land of the Danes, he explains its purpose to a guard named Wulfgar. In response, Wulfgar says, “I will carry this message,/ according to your wish, to our noble king,/ to our dear lord, friends of the Danes,/ to the giver of rings” (350-353). Wulfgar shows both his admiration for Hrothgar and his desire to cooperate and serve him through this variation. He bends to his leader's wishes because he holds authority, and Wulfgar knows he will receive rings and other spoils of war if he does his duty. The quality of authority, which yes)