Beowulf’s masterpiece gives us a wealth of symbols and themes to explore. Throughout the epic insight major icons such as the two great mead halls of Heorot and the Hygelac Hall and treasury are important parts of Beowulf. A deeper look at these material possessions and physical places shows us that the meade-halls were a significant place of culture and importance, and the perception of the 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 Hrothgar’s realm, 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 the purpose of amusement for the king and his soldiers. However, Heorot was perceived much more 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 the battle “offering to all, young and old, all that God had given him” (lines 63-64). Songs were sung and heard, ancient tales were related and handed down, and the reputation of the warriors spread.

It was also perceived as a place of light and refuge from the ever-present darkness that surrounded them. After Grendel’s first attacks, Hrothgar’s realm became a place of darkness and danger, especially at night. The only place that could be a place of refuge was Heorot, though his strength waned as 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 the armor? It was never described in Beowulf what kind of battle garb the soldiers wore in the great hall of Heorot.