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Prologue (Lines 1–63)
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Beowulf, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family and Tribe
Good Warriors and Good Kings
Fame, Pride, and Shame
Repetition and Change
Christianity and Paganism
Summary
Analysis
Hrothgar is successful in battle, and gains followers and treasure. He constructs Heorot, the most magnificent mead-hall ever built, and a good place to feast, listen to the singing of the bards, and give gifts of gold to his followers.
Hrothgar's excellent kingly qualities are symbolized in Heorot, a place for his people to eat, socialize, and hear their history sung by bards.
Themes
Literary Devices
However, the narrator mentions that in the future Heorot will burn because of a feud between son-in-law and father-in-law.
When the unity of the Danes is destroyed, Heorot is also destroyed.
Themes
