We begin the poem with what's traditionally referred to as the prologue.
And this beginning of the poem doesn't start with Beowulf,
it starts with other kings prior to him.
Primarily it references a king named Scyld,
and Scyld is held out to be a great king, or
the example of what kingship is and why is he an example of kingship?
We find he is an example of kingship because he is generous,
and that theme of generosity of spirit runs throughout the poem.
So we start the poem with the prologue talking about the kings
that give great witness to what kingship is all about.