Preview

Beowulf Loyalty

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
530 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Beowulf Loyalty
The True Blood Found in an Epic Hero Thesis: In his epic conquest to achieve recognition, Beowulf exhibits loyalty through many Christ-like acts like defeating three vile and desolate monsters, and eventually returning glory to his father. Beowulf has many admirable characteristics that portray what is found in the Christian religion. What makes his personality so adhesive is not only the desire he has for fame, but also the actions and responsibilities that he obtains. Besides doing this for the reputation that he beholds and openly boasts about, he has deeper roots which are tied to the favor that his father once received. Being from the family that he descended from, he is obligated by blood to follow in his fathers footsteps, which can equate to picking up where his father left off. His loyalty to his diseased father remains strong and he knew that a favor of that which his father received needed to be compensated for. This feature that is found in Beowulf shows that a warrior is the best when he can lower himself to the position of a servant and induce closure for his adopted bearings. Beowulf is someone who is admirable in multiple ways, but one of the ways that he stands out from the crowd is the courage that supports him in all that he does; which is potentially the hardest trait because in his last situation, he knows his courage will support a fatal decision. But due to his moral strength, Beowulf has the canning ability to look beyond himself and everything that he has achieved for the future of other people. This noble act in itself should be recognized in multiple prospectives. He has already brought much fame and fortune to his father and people’s, and knowing that the end of his life is not far from the horizon, he appreciates that the most inspirational and noble way to go is by once again returning to a friendly land and slaying the dragon. The characteristic idea of loyalty surrounds being put in front of the people for their benefit,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Summary

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages

    When he killed Grendel he was named as the King of that village. He is loyal to King Hrothgar, who once saved his father this is shown by his arrival to kill the monsters threatening Herot. He also shows he is loyal to his own king by bringing the gifts from Hrothgar back home, when no other man was able to do so. Loyal to his own men, by his decision to stay with them and sleep in the same place rather than a place of honor. Loyalty is shown because of the character he had, until he made one mistake of not killing Grendel’s mother. This showed him that he shouldn't of betrayed his village, and had a couple of consequences. The reason of his courage and strength were because he wanted to conquer his village and not have trouble with these monsters. In the end he kills the dragon and it’s mother by puncturing the dragons heart. Beowulf then died and was burn with his treasure and things he had.…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While being written centuries apart, Beowulf and Lord of The Flies share a prevailing idea of loyalty. Beowulf, being king, is supported by his one loyal thane, Wiglaf. Ralph has his loyal friends, Piggy and Simon. The addition of a faithful companion by your side, means that you will never have to face hardships alone. They’ll never desert you in dangerous situations nor will they leave you for a more tempting offer.…

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    My synopsis is going to be about two heroes. One of which is a literary hero from a famous world renowned poem called, “Beowulf”. The other hero is just as popular, but this hero has fought for the equal rights of African Americans. His name is Martin Luther King Jr. Both hero’s share similar qualities and traits that a hero must have. This essay will give you fact upon fact of how both heroes’ are great men.…

    • 334 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf, in the reader’s perspective is a very strong and noble man. As the poem says, “Nor have I seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble. There is mere hanger-on in a hero’s armour.” (244-251). He is noble because he knows his possible consequence of fighting but does not fear death. Beowulf…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf's Loyalty

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page

    Beowulf loyalty that runs further than what he done for Hrothgar he has slayed water beast and many he also goes on about you must overcome your fear and be brave and never give and beowulf loyalty to his people and the people he meets along the way…

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf also has the character trait of bravery. He goes before all others when things go bad. He would rather risk his own life, than to see someone else risk theirs. He asked a favor to the ruler…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine thousands of years from now, the remains of the modern American culture were discovered, and those discoveries would determine what was valued and believed in the culture. That's what happened to the Anglo-Saxons, a group of people who inhabited Great Britain during the fifth century. They were a mix of tribes from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, and were much like the Vikings in the sense they had to raid and invade other towns in their early years. Although the Anglo-Saxons were a savage group, the archaeological and literary discoveries clarify that they valued loyalty, wealth, and warriors above all else.…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Loyalty is one of the most important qualities a man can have, the Anglo-Saxons possessed this quality and kept it sacred. Beowulf's honor and loyalty saved Hrothgar country and his beloved people. "Nor have I see a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken , he is truly noble. This is no mere hanger - on in a herds armor." (244- 251) This quote is showing the loyalty Beowulf beholds and that the people cherish so much. Beowulf stands upon others with his loyalty to his king. He drops everything and helps Hrothgar each time he needs him , conquering Grendel, his mother, and the dragon. However not only Beowulf is loyal in the text, almost every other character in Beowulf is loyal to someone, in their own way. Beowulf most importantly emphasizes the significance of loyalty. Beowulf could have if he was willing too could've seized the throne from Hygelac or Hrothgar, but he is much too loyal to ever betray his friends and battle against them. This…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Old English poem, Beowulf, is arguably the first writings that highlights the battle between man and dragon and portray a Scandinavian warrior who is destine to rule a kingdom. The age-old question of fighting for glory or fighting for riches is tested, as the story begins with a young warrior who battles his way to become king and in the end give his life for his kingdom. After a successful reign as king, the story leads the hero to a final battle with the fantastic dragon. The question, that has been put before the readers is one of motive for Beowulf’s battle of the dragon. It has been put upon us to decide if Beowulf was fighting the dragon for personal glory or for the protection and safety of his kingdom. In this writer’s…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although Beowulf constantly chose to fight monsters aiding his allies in the name of God, he only did so in the process of glorifying himself. Where a true Utilitarian would have taken such actions purely for the benefit of humanity, Beowulf’s journeys…

    • 970 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Loyalty

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In epics, the faithfulness and loyalty of characters are put to the test in relationships and conflicts. Through these situations, some thanes fail to live up to the ideal of loyalty. However, Beowulf maintains loyal to his alliances through all struggles which illustrates his extraordinary faithfulness. In the epic Beowulf, Beowulf emphasizes the ideal of loyalty throughout his relationship with his lord Higlac and his host Hrothgar.…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is loyalty? Never cheating in a relationship? Your dog never running away? Or is it always being a good friend? Maybe loyalty isn’t an action at all. Many people try to decipher the real meaning of loyalty, but it has a unique meaning to each person. There are three different examples of how loyalty is viewed differently; in the story Beowulf, through a teenager’s life, and in the movie The Lion King. Each will display different views of loyalty and point out many similarities as well.…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Part A- Beowulf like all epic hero’s is strong loyal and brave. These characteristic are what define Beowulf, and instill fear is his enemies. He boasts about “(driving) / five great giants into chains” (248-249) and “In the blackness of night, hunting monsters” (251). Beowulf protects his followers and king, and is proud of his accomplishments. He strives for greatness, his words are arrogant but his actions shine through his overbearing pride and give him the capability to be heroic. (Part B) Beowulf is an epic hero; he takes great pride in his actions, unlike Grendel who feels jealous of humans which causes him to be spiteful towards them: “ Grendel snatched at the first Geat / He came to (and) Ripped him apart” (313-314). Grendel’s pride lays in the fear he instills on humans, without pride Grendel would be a monster with no motive to kill. Furthermore, Beowulf’s pride stems…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Persuasive Essay Beowulf

    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Beowulf, now being an elderly man, was faced with the difficult task to slay the dragon that had been guarding the castle it lives in. ¨I've never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now, but i will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me.” Beowulf soon battled the dragon, being burned by fire and left for dead, his trusted soldier, Wiglaf, had begun to battle along side his king. Above all, Wiglaf had been the only soldier who was loyal enough to defend his king in his struggle, much like a sidekick for modern day heros. ¨But Wiglaf sprinkled watch over his lord...” Then, once the battle had been over, Beowulf had asked his trusted companion to grab his reward from their victory. ¨For this, this gold, these jewels, I thank / Our Father in heaven, Ruler of the earth -/ for all of this, that his grace has given me, / Allowed me to bring my people while breath / still come to my lips.¨ Now dying a respected death, Beowulf leaves the duties of being king to Wiglaf for showing true bravery and loyalty. ¨Take what i leave, Wiglaf, lead my people, help them; my time is gone.¨ Provided that Beowulf had tirelessly fought evil day and day again for the rest of his life, along with a companion for his last battle, Beowulf can easily relate to the heroes of…

    • 953 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    beowulf courage

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the epic poem “Beowulf”, the writer constantly reminds the reader of how courageous Beowulf is. He storms into every fight and every battle never fearing death, determined to slay the monsters that terrorized humanity. All he can do is meet every challenge fearlessly, so that when he dies he will be remembered for his bravery. In believe that in the story Beowulf shows courage many times and it is easy to see why.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics