On the surface, the poem Beowulf seems to be a simple story of a courageous hero who defeats three monsters and engages in several other battles in order to preserve what is fair and right. Closer reading, however, reveals that the epic poem is filled with events that symbolize the historical and social conditions that prevailed during the European rule of the Scandinavians from approximately the 7th to the 9th century, after the Danish invasion of England (Sisson 1996 ). Analysts further point out that the author of Beowulf was a person with a "strong sense of cultural diversity" (Frank 1982: 52). Although the author was most likely Christian, he also had a strong understanding of the pagan moral code. This was illustrated by how Beowulf was able to move easily through different European societies. This essay examines the heroic code exemplified by Beowulf, as evidenced by his fights with Grendel, his fight with Grendel's mother, his relationship with Hygelac. . In part two, the essay then examines how Beowulf departs from this heroic code during his final battle with the dragon. In conclusion, the essay shows that Beowulf makes choices that recall his past courage and foreshadow his own courage and death. This shows that his heroic life choice has implications not only for himself, but also for his kingdom. The Heroic Code in the Battles of Beowulf Even before the hero appears, the narrator already establishes the strong heroic code that dictates honorable conduct in the Norse kingdoms. This is depicted at the court of Hrothgar, ruler of the Scyldings. At the beginning of the poem, the narrator shows how rulers like Hrothgar were very dependent on the allegy...... middle of paper...... Hane's origins and his current status as ruler. However, throughout the epic poem, Beowulf upholds the code of conduct required both in battle and, for the most part, in his duties to his adherents. Seen in this light, the deviations from the heroic code toward the end of his life matter much less, compared to the way Beowulf lived with courage, compassion, and, above all, honor. Works Cited Donaldson, E. Talbot. 1966. “Kinship to Beowulf.” in Beowulf: Bloom's Notes. Harold Bloom, ed. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. Frank, Roberta. 1982. “The Poet Beowulf's Sense of History.” in Beowulf: Critical Interpretation. Harold Bloom, ed. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. Sisson, Mary. 1996. “Thematic and Structural Analysis.” in Beowulf: Bloom's Notes. Harold Bloom, ed. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers.