Meadhalls in Beowulf

The story of Beowulf provides the reader with a unique opportunity to study and "live" the past, while at the same time allowing a comparison of the similarities and differences between our two societies. Though there are many artifacts and cultural traditions in this story that are unfamiliar to our society, one of the most prevalent symbols is the meadhall. Though this word is unfamiliar to most readers, an examination of the text shows that the meadhall is quite similar to a modern-day bar in regards to atmosphere and purpose.

There are two meadhalls mentioned in Beowulf (Heorot in Denmark and Hygelac’s hall in Geatland) which play an important function in the story. Much of the action in the first section of Beowulf takes place in Heorot, including the main characters' speeches, Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, and the subsequent ceremonies to honor him. The meadhalls are considered the center of medieval life.

So his mind turned to hall-building: he handed down orders for men to work on a great mead-hall meant to be a wonder of the world forever; it would be his throne-room and there he would dispense his god-given goods to young and old.

From this passage, the reader can infer that building a mead-hall is a major undertaking, yet at the same time held much meaning to King Hrothgar. With his large army, the meadhall gave Hrothgar the ability to gather his loyal troops, hand down treasures, and reward those who fought bravely. By rewarding his men with treasures in front of their peers, warriors were able to gain fame through their loyalty and courage, thus increasing their respect in the eyes of others. The building of a great meadhall such as this also allowed Hrothgar’s men to meet with their king and become acquainted with the man who would send them into battle. During this time period, if the ruler of a certain province was not respected, the ruler’s “mercenaries” could give their allegiance to other provinces. Hrothgar’s ability to build this meadhall and take care of his men guaranteed a loyal following of warriors.

In regards to culture, the hall was equally important, and as described in Beowulf: ". . . the din of the loud banquet every day in the hall, the harp being struck and the clear song of a skilled poet telling the mastery of man’s beginnings." The imagery portrayed in this section of the book shows a bar-like atmosphere, with much yelling, storytelling, and music-making. It gave people the opportunity to gain experience with others and interact in a very friendly environment that fostered a sense of purpose within them. The poet at the center of attention helped spread culture to the men with his stories involving religion (although this was most likely added to the story by monks) and other relevant issues occurring at the time. By listening to the poet or telling stories of past battles, legends were made and respect was earned. In these times, it was important for warriors to make a name for themselves, especially within their group of peers. Much like a bar, the meadhall gave the men an opportunity to interact and spread both their name and reputation among each other.

In the medieval world, kings were wary of attacks from neighboring rivals, thus putting fear in the men who were in unprotected areas. The building of the meadhall ultimately allowed warriors to stay in a safe, comfortable place that was free from attacks and gave them a home to return to after battle.

Because the meadhall was the center of life during this time period, the story of Beowulf was able to use these halls to incorporate a majority of the story. Since the kings and warriors were already gathered in the halls, it was not difficult to include all the major speeches, boasting, and a portion of the fighting within them.

In addition, Heorot was more than just a simple building. In “The Hall in Beowulf and in Archaeology,” Rosemary Cramp asserts that a meadhall represents security and stability for a region, especially in a dangerous world. In addition to her conclusion about the meadhall, the reader of Beowulf begins to see symbolism develop. Because Heorot was built for Hrothgar’s men, it acts as a center of human activity, and the reader can infer it is a symbol of humanity as a whole. When Grendel attacks the hall and kills or frightens the men within, it can be perceived as evil attacking all of humanity, thus gaining the attention of warriors around the world. If Grendel had simply attacked unfortified houses and killed the families within, it would have been seen as an atrocity, but as long as the fortified building of warriors stayed functional, the people had a safe haven. Hrothgar’s inability to destroy the monster and save the hall on his own shows how powerless he had become, losing respect in the eyes of his men. However, when not even the greatest warriors could defeat Grendel, people began to lose faith in the fact that humanity could save itself. In essence, the meadhall of Heorot represented humanity as a whole, and the attacks by Grendel and the arrival of Beowulf respectively represented an attack on humanity and its deliverance.

A modern-day pub or bar is often synonymous with drunkenness, disorder, and noise. However, there are reasons people gather at these locations. People can share stories, listen to music together, and learn from each other and their experiences. Through their interactions, their cultures and beliefs can spread between each other and allow for a much richer and stronger bond between the bar patrons. The meadhall serves much the same purpose as a modern-day bar, especially due to the fact that both serve alcoholic drinks to loosen the inhibitions of the patrons and create a more joyous atmosphere. The name meadhall is derived from mead, a “fermented drink made of water and honey with malt, yeast and sometimes other ingredients.”

Heorot may be considered by some to be simply a building where warriors lived and gathered. However, a closer look into this meadhall shows it was much more. It was a place where warriors could gather and feel secure, while at the same time fostering trust, loyalty, and bravery. As seen in the text, “an attendant stood by with a decorated pitcher, pouring bright helpings of mead. And the minstrel sang, filling Heorot with his head-clearing voice.” As the music continued and their cups were repeatedly refilled, the scene of a meadhall is very similar to the bars of today. Though the word meadhall is unfamiliar to most readers of Beowulf today, an in-depth reading of the text shows the close similarities between the meadhalls and modern-day bars.

Though today’s neighborhood bars do not necessarily contain warriors, they parallel meadhalls in that they bring people of similar interests or backgrounds together and allow them to strengthen their bonds. In addition, the usage of meadhalls in Beowulf symbolized the safety and security of an unstable world filled with violence and wars. The attack of Grendel on Heorot symbolized an overt attack on humanity, while the arrival and victory of Beowulf symbolized a deliverance of humankind. This use of symbolism gives the reader an interesting view of the issues prevalent in these ages. The use of meadhalls in Beowulf allows the reader to experience all the action from one area, while at the same time becoming familiar with a major center of activity.