Benedict and Beowulf: The Great Ruler and Loyal Subjects In The Rule of St. Benedict, an ideal ruler is presented as a good abbot who follows all the rules of God, but also one who properly leads his monks in the word of God. An ideal subject is presented as a loyal monk, who properly follows the rules and teachings of his abbot and follows the word of God. Though, in Beowulf, an ideal ruler is a man who is fierce and almighty warrior. An ideal subject would be a warrior who is extremely loyal and is willing to die for his ruler at any time. The Rule of St. Benedict and Beowulf propose some similar ideals of a good ruler, but they also differentiate in numerous ways; however, this applies to the fairly similar ideals for a good subject as …show more content…
“He is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, since he is addressed by a title of Christ, as the Apostle indicates: ‘You have received the spirit of adoption of sons by which we exclaim, abba, father’ (Rom 8:15)” (The Rule of St. Benedict 21). However, this is not the case for an ideal ruler in Beowulf. In Beowulf, qualities an ideal ruler has to have to be a great ruler are to be a fierce, confident, and powerful warrior and has to accomplish great feats, such as defeating powerful foes or conquering land, to bring fame to fame to their name. “Such was the showing of the son of Edgetheow, known for his combats and his courage in action” (Beowulf 78). This was said to have been the path Hrothgar took, as he rose to become a king. “Then to Hrothgar was granted glory in battle, mastery of the field; so friends and kinsmen gladly obeyed him, and his band increased to a great company” (Beowulf 5). Ideal rulers in Beowulf are not necessarily seen as a god. They were almighty warriors. The Rule of St. Benedict and Beowulf are alike in the rulers had the quality of being widely revered by the subjects who followed them. In both works, subjects are extremely loyal and follow orders very closely. “With the ready step of …show more content…
In Beowulf, while the king holds a high position, he can still be treated normally. Though, in The Rule of St. Benedict, monks have to acknowledge abbots as superiors. “He is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, since he is addressed by a title of Christ, as the Apostle indicates: ‘You have received the spirit of adoption of sons by which we exclaim, abba, father’ (Rom 8:15)” (The Rule of St. Benedict 21). While it is known that the ruler is of higher importance than a subject, due to the religious aspects of the monasteries, this is more evident in The Rule of St. Benedict. The abbot has been entrusted with large responsibilities and must be careful in everything he does, since he has the lives of his monks in his control. “The abbot must always what he is and what he is called, aware that more will be expected of a man to whom more has been entrusted” (The Rule of St. Benedict 24). Good leaders and subjects have been discussed, so now it is time for bad rulers and