The importance of Mead-Halls in Beowulf

Beowulf’s masterpiece gives us a wealth of symbols and themes to explore. Throughout the epic perception of major icons such as the two great mead halls of Heorot and the Hall of Hygelac and the treasure are important parts of Beowulf. A deeper look at these material possessions and physical locations shows us that the meade-halls were a significant place of culture and importance, and the perception of treasure changed throughout history.

The great hall of Heorot was a very important place for the king and the soldiers of Denmark. Built when there was prosperity throughout the realm of Hrothgar, it was a symbol of hope, light, and strength. Heorot was an old mead hall. As its name suggests, it was a place where you could party and drink. Historically, a mead hall used to be a one-room hall made especially for this purpose of amusement for the king and his soldiers. However, Heorot was much more noticeable in Beowulf. First, it is suggested in the text that this hall was a place of grandeur and had multiple side rooms and a chamber where the king could sleep. The king distributed the spoils of battle “offering to all, young and old, all that God had granted him” (lines 63-64). Songs were sung and heard, ancient tales were told and passed down, and the reputation of the warriors spread.

It was also perceived as a place of light and refuge in the ever-present darkness that surrounded them. After Grendel’s first attacks, the realm of Hrothgar became a place of darkness and danger, especially at night. The only place that could be a place of refuge was Heorot, though its strength dwindled as Grendel repeatedly terrified the soldiers. Which brings up another point, since Beowulf took place in Norse culture, or somewhere in Denmark, did soldiers wear Viking helmets as part of their armor? It was never described in Beowulf what kind of battle dress the soldiers in the great hall of Heorot wore.