Loyalty is a central theme in the epic poem "Beowulf." Throughout the poem, the main character, Beowulf, displays unwavering loyalty to his lord, Hrothgar, and to his own kingdom, the Geats. Similarly, the other characters in the poem also show loyalty to their leaders and to their respective societies.
One of the most prominent examples of loyalty in "Beowulf" is Beowulf's loyalty to Hrothgar, the king of the Danes. Beowulf travels to Denmark to help Hrothgar defeat the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing Hrothgar's kingdom. Beowulf puts his own life at risk in order to protect Hrothgar and his people, and he ultimately succeeds in defeating Grendel and Grendel's mother. Beowulf's loyalty to Hrothgar is further demonstrated when he refuses Hrothgar's offer of rewards and treasures, choosing instead to return home to his own kingdom.
In addition to Beowulf's loyalty to Hrothgar, the poem also portrays the loyalty of the Danes to their king. Despite the danger posed by Grendel, the Danes remain loyal to Hrothgar and are grateful for Beowulf's help in defeating the monster. The warrior Unferth even admits that he was wrong to doubt Beowulf's abilities and offers him a treasure as a symbol of his loyalty and appreciation.
Loyalty is also evident in the relationship between Beowulf and his own kingdom, the Geats. Beowulf is a brave and noble warrior who is greatly respected by his people, and he in turn is deeply loyal to them. When he returns home after his victory over Grendel and Grendel's mother, he is greeted with great celebration and is hailed as a hero. Beowulf's loyalty to his kingdom is further demonstrated when he later becomes the king of the Geats and works to protect and defend his people from the various threats they face, including the dragon that ultimately kills him.
In conclusion, loyalty is a major theme in "Beowulf," and it is demonstrated by a number of characters in the poem, including Beowulf, Hrothgar, and the Danes and Geats. Loyalty is a valued trait in the societies depicted in "Beowulf," and it is through the loyalty of its characters that the poem's themes of bravery, honor, and duty are upheld.
Kuge
According to one, he was born in the land of His first evil deed was the murder of the Norwegian petty king Starkad joined the Danish Viking Bemon Bemonus and they had a tough discipline on their crew, forbidding them alcoholic beverages. This desertion suggests that the heroic code by which Beowulf has lived his whole life has crumbled. And, most telling, this time Beowulf is overmatched. The shield holds off the flame, but when Beowulf tries to strike the dragon, his sword fails him, and Beowulf is left unarmed. This is particularly true when it comes to warriors and their actions both on and off the battlefield, and concepts of Anglo-Saxon honor are no different.
Beowulf Characters Explained
The dragon attacks again, covering Wiglaf and Beowulf in fire. The first night the men were in the hall, Grendel came through and killed thirty of the men, and because the attacks continued Heorot was left empty. However, I will do my best and do what I can, but Ubbi is a tough fighter". Bring back all its musty junk, And all its foolish nonsense. My heart is firm, My hands calm: I need no hot Words. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Starkad
The dragon, who knows its hoard intimately, immediately goes on a rampage to recover the stolen treasure. Beowulf is a noble member of the Geats who goes to the court of the king of the Danes to help fight against monsters that nobody else can defeat. Wiglaf, one of Beowulf's relatives and his most loyal companion, joins Beowulf and helps him defeat the dragon. He comes to help king Hrothgar, whose army was being terrorized by Grendel. The Death of Beowulf Beowulf collapses. Anglo-Saxons did not give gifts without expecting a return, usually an oath of allegiance and military service.
Éomer
Let's see how the story unfolds. This act by Unferth showcases that he changed his mind and, after all, he was not all that bad. The most likely other candidate who has received support as the possible author of Le Morte Darthur is Thomas Mallory of Le Morte Darthur. Beowulf wishes aloud for a son, but concludes that Wiglaf will stand in. Lesson Summary Beowulf is the main character of the epic poem Beowulf. Beowulf never makes any attempt to alter his arrogant ways and he also lives a long and honorable life, dying in battle to protect his people. In the poem, Wiglaf is an example of a loyal, kind-hearted and brave warrior—giving readers an example of how people should treat their king.
Le Morte d'Arthur
For all of these reasons, he begins to suspect that his fight against the dragon will claim his life. In the third section of the poem, when Beowulf fights a dragon, he is quite different from how he was when the poem began: he is 50 years older and is now a king, not just a warrior. In his final battle, he still kills the dragon, even though it kills him. Hrothgar sings the praises of Beowulf. However, as a hero of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf was expected to be arrogant and this was not seen as a flaw. His bravery, therefore, is not misplaced, as he really does have the ability to defeat monsters that nobody else can kill. Bringing along his sword and special shield, Beowulf enters the lair and tells the men to wait for him.
