Beowulf and the Saga of King Hrolf KrakiThere are so many similarities between the hero of the poem Beowulf and the Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, an Icelandic saga representing 1000 years of oral history traditions prior to 1300, when it was written, that these similarities cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature states that the hero of the poem, Beowulf himself, may be the same person as Bodvar Biarki, the leader of Hrolfr Kraki's knights (v1, ch3, s3, n13). George Clark in “The Hero and Theme” mentions: “The form of Beowulf taken as a whole suggests both the 'Bear of the Bear' type of folk tale (especially as we find it in Scandinavia) and the 'fighting myth' . . . .” (286). In the Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, Bodvar is the grandson of a king (Hring); in Beowulf the hero is the nephew of a king (Hrethel). Bodvar's father was expelled from his country, Gautland; Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, was expelled from Geatland. Bodvar's father is dead; Beowulf's father is dead (Hrothgar says, "his father, now dead, was called Ecgtheow") (373). Bodvar was so strong as a boy that he was not allowed to take part in the king's games beyond the age of twelve because he injured too many of his opponents; Beowulf as a young man was so strong that "he was the strongest of all living men" (196). Bodvar was huge; Beowulf was “noble and enormous” (198). Bodvar was nobler than the people around him; Beowulf refused to accept the throne from Queen Hygd upon Hygelac's death, risked his life several times for the benefit of others, put his own well-being last rather than first, and distributed his wealth generously when warranted. “Though Beowulf is careful to collect his winnings, ... middle of paper ...... and kindest, kindest to his people” (3181). The Icelandic saga, The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, written in the 1300s, represents approximately 1000 years of oral traditions. The striking similarities between the main character of this saga and the main character of Beowulf are simply too striking to be dismissed as mere coincidences. BIBLIOGRAPHY Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Clark, George. "The hero and the theme." In A Beowulf Handbook, edited by Robert Bjork and John D. Niles. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1997. The Saga of King Hrolf Kraki, translated by Jesse L. Byock. New York: Penguin Books, 1998.Ward & Trent, et al. The Cambridge history of English and American literature. New York: Sons of G. P. Putnam, 1907–21; New York: Bartleby.com, 2000