The Theme Of Father/Son Relationships In Beowulf & The Song Of Roland

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various different aspects of life during
their time.

In Beowulf, the function of the relationship between Hrothgar and
Beowulf helps to further the plot in several ways. Whenever there is a reliance
on family in any literary work, it gives any story more meaning and significance.
When Beowulf first arrives in Hrothgars' hall, we get a sense of the old and
incapable state Hrothgar is in "old and gray-haired among the guard of earls"
(Beowulf, pg. 62) is how he is first described. When hearing who Beowulf's
father is he states in a joyous tone "I knew him when he was a child!..Well does
the son now pay this call on a proven ally!" (Beowulf, pg. 62-63) Immediately
there is a fond relationship here which will develop even further. When
Beowulf claims that he is in Heorot to cleanse the people of the monster named
Grendel who is plaguing them, Hrothgar is very grateful and he states "So it is
to fight in our defence, my friend Beowulf, and as an act of kindness that you
have come ...

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in Charles' mind and all the others
involved. When hearing of the betrayal Roland states "Where are you, fair
nephew? ……God!" , Says the King, "how bitter my reproach, that I was absent when
they struck the first blow" (The Song of Roland, sect. 177) in utter
desperation. When later Charles finds out Roland has definitely been slain by
the Paynims, while lying down to sleep he thinks of his nephew who he thought of
as a son. "Charles lies awake and weeps for Roland's plight…The King is weary,
for grief weighs on his eyes; " (The Song of Roland, sect. 184) The deep pain in
Charles heart is different than in Beowulf, because Charles is in mourning,
while Hrothgar was joyous, and while ...

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