Many readers of the poem Beowulf may have difficulty distinguishing the "good" kings from the others: in fact, almost all the men who hold a throne in the epic are named at some point or in the other being "good". By examining the ideals of the time period identified by the "heroic code", it becomes clearer that a truly "good" king is one who generously distributes treasure and weapons to deserving servants to honor the courage and strength displayed in battle and to encourage defense of the kingdom (Intro). When Beowulf ascends the Geatish throne, the heroic traits of courage and strength for which he was so highly praised as a warrior do not serve to make him a good king. Indeed, by exhibiting the characteristics of a thane, that is, relying solely on the strength of a single man, he ultimately leaves his kingdom defenseless. By first examining how Hrothgar secures a future for his people, and then analyzing Beowulf's actions and motivations as king before fighting the dragon, this essay will define good kingship and expose Beowulf's failures as king. Above all, Hrothgar sought to have a future mutual relationship with his people. This intention is manifested in the construction of Heorot. After proving himself in war and building a “mighty army[,]…his mind turned / to the building of halls” (lines 67-8). The great mead hall of Heorot was "intended to be a wonder of the world forever" (70), to be enjoyed by all, and to be a place to "distribute/ God-given goods to young and old" ( 71-2). Hrothgar literally builds an infrastructure to support a sense of community in his kingdom. The Danes soon feel proud of Heorot, "glowing with gold" (308), and in return for honorable deeds, Hrothgar "distributed rings" (80) to the "bold defenders"... middle of paper... .. ..when a man follows his own will/many are hurt” (3078-79). Beowulf is, therefore, not “truly noble” (250) as the guardian of the cliffs initially assumes. “Of all the kings on earth” (3181), Beowulf is said to be “the most eager to gain fame” (3182). Wiglaf describes his king as "a man unequaled in the pursuit of glory/ and a name for boldness" (2645-46), and it is "the thought of glory" (2678), not the thought of his defenseless people, that inspires Beowulf will deal the final blow to the dragon: neither fame nor the selfish pursuit of glory are particularly noble goals. By demonstrating that Beowulf is not the ideal king, one must then ask whether Beowulf is the morally upright hero that many readers believe him to be. Works Cited "Beowulf". Trans. Seamus Heaney. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt. New York: Norton. vol. 1 8th ed. 29-100.