How does Beowulf convince the men of his heroics?

Probably the most important cultural component of Beowulf is the practice of wergild, or reciprocity. This is the idea of exchange of gifts or services and keeping a balance between what has been given and what is owed. After Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel's mother comes to get compensation for the death. Then Beowful must avenge the death of the humans. This back and forth up and down equalization was very important to the function of Anglo-Saxon culture. Wergild literally means "man gold."