Professor Dow
ENG 215-001
7 October 2014
Beowulf’s Loyalty
The chivalric code in the Middle Ages stressed the importance of humility, integrity, loyalty, piety, and honesty. In the epic poem Beowulf, our hero does not fall short of these virtues. Throughout the poem, Beowulf demonstrates qualities that embody the ideals of his culture. Beowulf sails to the Danes to help them slay a monster and its terrifying mother. He fights in wars and eventually becomes king of the Geats. He rules for fifty prosperous years before having to lay down his life to kill a dragon. Beowulf’s fidelity to his father’s allies, to his comrades, to his kings, and then to his country remains steadfast throughout the entire poem. The epic Beowulf, undoubtedly has a major theme of loyalty, demonstrated through Beowulf’s numerous battles and actions. Hrothgar and the Danes have the unfortunate burden of a relentless and evil monster known as Grendel. Grendel, a descendent of Cain, terrorizes Hrothgar’s beloved mead-hall. Beowulf demonstrates his first act of loyalty in the beginning of his journey when he decides to help Hrothgar cleanse the mead-hall of the fiend. Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father, killed a leader of the Wulfings, an enemy tribe long ago, and then sought refuge amongst the Danes. Hrothgar “…healed the feud by paying: / I shipped a treasure-trove to the Wulfings, / and Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance” (lines 470-72). Hrothgar settles the feud by paying off the enemy tribe and Beowulf’s father repays his debt with a loyal allegiance. Since Beowulf’s father and Hrothgar have this alliance, Beowulf happily undertakes the opportunity to offer loyal aid to Hrothgar. After Beowulf’s triumph over Grendel, the monsters mother comes to avenge her son’s death. With this new challenge, Beowulf does not hesitate to put on his armor and prepare for this new underwater battle. Before Beowulf delves under, he tells Hrothgar: If this combat kills me, take care of my young company, my comrades in arms. / And be sure also, my beloved Hrothgar, / to send Hygelac the treasures I received. / Let the lord of the Geats gaze on that gold, / let Hrethel’s son take note of it and see …show more content…
His loyalty is shown, because he wants his comrades to be properly taken care of if he falls in the upcoming battle. Not only does he show loyalty to his comrades, but also to his king in Geatland. He wants the gold he earned from killing Grendel to be sent to his king back home to honor him even when facing possible death. Beowulf puts the lives of his companions over his own by showing concern with their lives, even though he is the one facing death. He also shows a great deal of loyalty to his king because he wishes to have his rightfully earned fortunes to be sent to his …show more content…
Then a dragon disrupts his kingdom, and he courageously takes up the challenge while knowing he won’t be able to survive. Beowulf proclaims, “I risked my life / often when I was young. Now I am old, / but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight /…This fight is not yours, / nor is it up to any man except me / to measure his strength against the monster / or to prove his worth.” (2511-14, 32-35). Beowulf knows he faces his last battle and courageously fights to his death for glory and for the love he has for his