According to Beowulf, what are the characteristics of a good king? Give specific examples.

The Anglo Saxon Leader should be strong, wise, and
generous. Beowulf, of course, as the Epic Hero, reflects all of these
qualities.

Beowulf is obviously superhumanly strong. He
vows to fight Grendel with no weapon, using only his bear hands since Grendel uses no
weapon either. However, the fight also reveals Beowulf's cunning and wisdom inasmuch as
he allows one of his men to be first taken so as to see the way Grendel attacks, and he
uses Grendel's own strength against him. This is a recurring strategy in all 3 of
Beowulf's battles, he uses Grendel's mother's own magical sword against her and uses the
dragon's own size and power against him.

Beowulf also shows
generosity, particularly to Wiglaf, who remembers the old king's former largesse when
the time comes to fight the dragon. Generosity is underscored numerous times as the
greatest trait a leader can have. Kings are called by the kenning "ring giver" and the
very title of "lord" comes from the Old English "loaf giver." Often the narrator opines
on the value of generosity. Speaking of Beow in the introduction he
says:

So becomes it a youth to quit him
well

with his father's friends, by fee and
gift,

that to aid him, aged, in after
days,

come warriors willing, should war draw
nigh...