Beowulf judges himself by how well he lives up to the heroic code. He measures his worth by his bravery, strength, fairness, and loyalty, not just by his noble birth. He fights dangerous enemies even at the risk of death, uses his own strength rather than weapons when possible, and stays loyal to his people as their protector. Most of all, he values the fame and legacy his deeds will leave behind. He wants to be remembered as a courageous and honorable warrior.
