The importance of the 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 places shows us that the prairie 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 soldiers of Denmark. Built when there was prosperity throughout the Hrothgar kingdom, it was a symbol of hope, light, and strength. Heorot was an old mead hall. As the name suggests, it was a place where you could party and drink. Historically, a mead room used to be a one-room room specially made for this purpose to cheer up the king and his soldiers. However, Heorot was perceived as much more in Beowulf. First of all, it is suggested in the text that this hall was a place of grandeur, and had several side rooms and a chamber where the king could sleep. The king distributed the spoils of the battle by “offering to all, young and old, all that God had given him” (lines 63-64). Songs were sung and heard, ancient stories were told and transmitted, and the reputation of the warriors spread.

It was also perceived as a place of light and refuge in the omnipresent darkness that surrounded them. After Grendel’s first attacks, the kingdom 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 diminished when Grendel repeatedly terrorized 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 armor? In Beowulf it was never described what kind of battle dress the soldiers wore in Heorot’s great hall.