How Is Loyalty Shown In Beowulf

Improved Essays
Loyalty and Allegiance throughout Beowulf
In Beowulf loyalty and allegiance is a virtue found throughout the poem and is shown in the battles Beowulf fought to end the monster’s reign of terror. Loyalty is show when Beowulf helps Hrothgar and his men by repaying his debt and killing Grendal. Then again when General’s mother tries to avenge her son's death by killing Hrothgar's closest friend. Finally, at the end it is Wiglaf who shows his loyalty to Beowulf when the rest if his men commit treason and leave Beowulf during his last battle. Overall loyalty and allegiance is a common virtue displayed in Beowulf.
In the beginning of the poem when Hrothgar and his men were faced with Grendel, Beowulf wanted to repay his debt from when Hrothgar came

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    This is an eighth grade version of the original story which helps middle schoolers get a basis of what Beowulf is about. Robert Nye has the whole story laid out, so the reader does not have to interpret what something means like they do in Beowulf. For example, in Beowulf it say, “[Hrothgar’s] misery leaped the seas, was told and sung in all men’s ears” (Raffel lines 64-66), but in Beowulf: A New Telling, it says, “Hrothgar’s poets took the story of Grendel with them wherever they went” (Nye pg. 18). Raffel’s version, although it may not be hard to figure out for some people, can be very confusing for eighth graders when it says “leaped the sea” and “sung in all men’s ears”. The news did not actually leap, and nobodies’ ears were sung into; Raffel just used personification and a hyperbole to convey the message.…

    • 1279 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf is loyal to the weak and defenseless in the battle with Grendel. The hall had been terrorized for 12 years and he told King Hrothgar that he would rid the mead hall of Grendel. Beowulf knows he needs to be loyal to his leader and kill Grendel. In the next battle we see Beowulf look for Grendel's body to avenge for all the deaths Grendel had caused. He is loyal to his men and feels for their loss.…

    • 517 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    A strong epic hero who dedicates his life to saving people and keeping his king free from evil, an epic hero who demonstrates Loyalty or a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Although the author of this poem is currently unknown it is believed that it was written by monks. Throughout this essay i will talk about how Beowulf stayed loyal to his king and allies by completing and achieving his journey. To begin with, Beowulf proved his loyalty by accepting the quest to kill Grendel. He had heard that Grendel had creating a riot at Herot and he quickly demanded for a boat.…

    • 458 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Loyalty Loyalty is the most common theme that Beowulf, Lanval, Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, and Chaucer share. For example, loyalty to their kingdom, king, love, or themselves. Being loyal could be selflessness, protection, and allegiance. Characters within these stories, not just the main ones, do something in the stories that show these qualities. Beowulf shows selflessness when he decides to go to Hrothgar to help him out with his Grendel situation.…

    • 1122 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Later on, in the poem when Beowulf is old and ruler of the Geats, he decides to take his best men and go battle a dragon that has been terrorizing his people. Once his best men see what they have gotten themselves into, all of them but one let Beowulf down and turn and run. The one man who stuck with Beowulf, Wiglaf, helps Beowulf defeat the dragon and proves that loyalty is also a key factor in defeating evil. Also,…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Loyalty is a hard personality trait to find in people but in the story Beowulf loyalty is shown throughout the book as being the most important lesson, being loyal in this book has its ups and down in the story. loyalty in this story can come with perks like treasure and fame are big ones and just respect from people Beowulf is a very loyal man and that is why he is a really respected man one of the first people he is loyal to is his family which says it all because if you can't be loyal to your own blood family then it's already shows you're not a loyal person beowulf proves loyalty to his family when he Takes on the fierce Grendel “Now I mean to be a match for Grendel settle the outcome in single combat”(lines 425-430) he takes on the…

    • 626 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The concept of loyalty in Beowulf is not only shown through his battles. However, his first act of loyalty antecedes all of the battles he faces. He would not have had any battles to fight if it was not for his loyalty towards Hrothgar. Beowulf left his home country to protect Hrothgar. Not only did he place loyalty towards Hrothgar, but to those who will protect his homeland when he dies.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Loyalty In Beowulf

    • 213 Words
    • 1 Pages

    From Beowulf being loyal to his king, and Hrothgar having loyal thanes. The idea of loyalty was a strong anglo-saxon value, and still is today. In Beowulf examples of loyality would be Beowulf’s loyalty to his king, Hygelac, and Wiglaf’s loyalty to Beowulf, Beowulf expresses his loyalty to Hygelac by going to help Hrothgar, and when done in Sweden still returns to serve Hygelac. Wiglaf shows his loyalty to Beowulf when all of Beowulf’s men…

    • 213 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf also showed his selflessness when he was dying from the fight with the dragon. Beowulf said, "For this goodly treasure whereon I gaze I give my thanks to the Lord of all, To the Prince of glory, Eternal God, Who granted me grace to gain for my people Such dower of riches before my death." The first thing Beowulf had to say to his retainer (Wiglaf) when he was dying was how he was glad that he had acquired all this gold for his people. As Beowulf fights his final battle, his retainer Wiglaf shows "bravery, loyalty, and devotion.…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Evolution Of Beowulf Essay

    • 1084 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Evolution of Beowulf Throughout the story of Beowulf the great hero accomplishes three great feats against three terrible monsters. On the surface of each battle readers can see that Beowulf portrays wlenco, however, if we look a little deeper into each conflict we can see positive character development within Beowulf himself. In this poem Beowulf clashes with Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon that ravages his community; within each battle Beowulf has a subtle change in character that eventually leads him to become a great king. Before the author reaches Beowulf’s first conflict he writes Beowulf off as arrogant and bold.…

    • 1084 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Loyalty has never stop for them because he treat his lord as a friend. Beowulf lied, but Wiglaf trusted his Lord as a true fiend that’s why he gave or he show his friendship till the end, like a true friend. Beowulf…

    • 198 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf shows integrity in several ways in the epic poem Beowulf, but first, what characteristics define integrity? Integrity by its definition means to follow through on one’s word, be honest, loyal, and in general, a person of good moral character. In Beowulf, several characteristics to look for specifically that show his integrity include those listed above as well as a few others, such as fairness, respectful, and reliability. Integrity even finds itself connected with honor (part of the heroic code –which Beowulf follows) in that a person should be true and honest with themselves as well as others, and not do anything that would be dishonorable.…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After battling the evil monsters Beowulf reminded Hrothgar that “If [he hears], from across the ocean, that [Hrothgar’s] neighbors have threatened [him] with war, or [oppress him] … [Beowulf] will bring a thousand warriors, a thousand armed Geats to protect [Hrothgar’s] throne,” (77). Beowulf shows his allegiance by letting him know he will come back with an army and help him fight any battle that threatens his country. Not only was he brave in the fight with the monsters, but he will be brave again to stand up against their neighbors. Beowulf’s devotion to being loyal brings out the bravery Beowulf needs to fight any and every…

    • 913 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the epic poem Beowulf, the poet demonstrates the various loyalties needed to maintain trust within the Geats. The poet, specifically in lines 2712-32, shows many virtues that outline the reasons why Beowulf makes a great honorable, king. With Beowulf’s knowledge, he is able to demonstrate many values that help shape Wiglaf’s character. The themes of honor and loyalty often arise to show how Beowulf stays truthful to his thanes, as well as himself, during difficult times. Throughout the many battles seen in the poem, Beowulf exemplifies unfailing loyalty to his tribe.…

    • 1050 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Beowulf reveals how important riches and power connect to his life by fighting for them. Hrothgar makes a promise to Beowulf to receive riches and power for protecting him, Herot, and other warriors from Grendel. In “The Battle With Grendel”, Beowulf defeats the Grendel. However, Beowulf only wants to fight Grendel fairly knowing that Grendel does not usually fight with a sword. While fighting, Grendel thought about the quality of Beowulf's performance.…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays