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Masculinity in beowulf
Theme of loyalty in beowulf
Theme of loyalty in beowulf
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Masculinity in beowulf
Theme of loyalty in beowulf
Theme of loyalty in beowulf
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Recommended: Masculinity in beowulf
The code of Chivalry stated that you had to promise to do no wicked deed, to be loyal to the king, to give mercy to those asking it, always to be courteous and helpful to ladies, and to fight in no wrongful quarrel for worldly gain, upon pain of death or forfeiture of knighthood and King Arthur’s
Why, in medieval times, did knights so foolishly jump at any opportunity to die for their king? The answer to this question is not so foolish; it is called the code of chivalry. This code is the “rule book” for knights, the standards that they must live up to. These customs include three major ideas; strength, courage, and honor. The first of these, strength, involves protecting the weak and defenseless.
What makes a person or poem moral and ethical? In the epic poem Beowulf, the main character, who name was Beowulf was the perfect example of piety and virtue, which also means morality and ethics. Beowulf was a person who could be trusted and who his people and the danes counted on. On page 48 the poem stated: “That I, alone with the help of my people, may purge all evil from this hall.” ( Wiggins 260-261).
loy·al·ty ˈloiəltē/ noun the quality of being loyal to someone or something. a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Loyalty is very strong and very meaningful, like true love or brotherhood. Loyalty has to be earned, not just given away. In The Odyssey, the epic poem by Homer, Odysseus’ crew is steadfastly loyal to him and follow nearly his every direction, even though they are given many reasons not to be.
Honestly what is loyalty? One can’t even begin to define such a word. It’s one single seven letter word yet, it has a deep profound definition. Typically one does not use loyalty until they are put to the test. The test can be anything, like staying loyal to the patriots or staying loyal to your best friend.
During the Medieval times chivalry was one of the most important characteristics a knight could display. Chivalry was viewed as a moral obligation that involved bravery, honor, respect, and gallantry. Knights were expected to uphold this code or face social consequences for any infractions, with punishments ranging from humiliation to termination of their knighthood. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” presents the struggles knights faced with honoring the chivalrous code at all times. Sir Gawain, while imperfect, exhibits qualities expected of knights and embodies the internal struggle between honoring the chivalrous code and giving into selfish desires.
Loyalty is the castle wall that protect relationships from outside forces such as disobedience or deceit. A consequence of defective loyalty is that it can be battered down destroying the relationships it was built to defend. However, the gift of firm loyalty is preserving the relationships so that it can remain safe. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the Greek culture’s ideal loyalty conveys the concept that disloyalty leads to destruction and loyalty leads to rewards.
The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “loyalty” as “the quality or state or an instance of being loyal” (Webster’s Dictionary). Throughout the book, Robin Hood was always loyal to the people of Nottingham, by giving them food, money, and helping them when they needed help. Another definition of loyalty is, “Loyalty is the feeling of allegiance to a course of action. Heroes in stories are known for their act of extreme loyalty where they even risk their life to save someone close to them. Robin Hood and his friends are examples of heroes with intense loyalty” (Speed Up Career).
Every past and modern culture over the course of history, has its hero’s. A hero is a person or figure that others look up to and use as forms of protection. Many cherish the hero’s, they make up who we are today. The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, and the postmodern hero/hero’s, the soldiers, both show the traits of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. To have the trait of bravery you have to have lots of confidence in yourself and have courage.
Loyalty is a quality I value deeply with friends and family. My personal definition of loyalty is being there for someone even in the darkest times, and to be their support no matter what. Trust is necessary when acquiring loyalty, because if one doesn’t trust the other and keeps pushing the person trying to help away they won’t want to help anymore. Loyalty isn’t given it is earned with time and love. A book that demonstrates my definition of loyalty is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
The Code of Chivalry described in “the Song of Roland” and a superb depiction of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows: To fear God and maintain His Church, to serve the lord in valor and faith, to defend the feeble and unprotected,
Loyalty, one of the main themes throughout Beowulf, is an important aspect of the Germanic culture. Loyalty in the Heroic Code is a bond between the king and his warriors; loyalty to the king is first above all, even family in this text. If the warriors lack the loyalty for their king, the urge to protect their king and tribe is diminished. Beowulf’s king, Hygelac, gave him permission to help the Danish king and his people. Beowulf exerts his loyalty to Hrothgar by protecting the king’s people, and killing Grendel.
The code of loyalty in Beowulf is mainly seen in the relationship between a king and his knight(s). Loyalty is the driving component of “comitatus,” or the agreement of protection in exchange for land and status between a king and his knight. By actively preserving this arrangement in moments of objection, one can rise to fame and nobility, such as Beowulf did. Essentially every relationship seen in Beowulf, from King Hygelac and Beowulf, to Beowulf and Wiglaf, is informed by the code loyalty.
“The only people I owe my loyalty to are those who never made me question theirs”-Anonymous. Loyalty means to be supportive and true to someone or something. Loyalty is more important justice your friends and your family are the most important thing to you. Things are replaceable friends and family are not.
Questions of Honor: Beowulf Beowulf’s honor and integrity can be questioned throughout the entirety of the epic poem, Beowulf. Whether or not his actions are inspired by his own pompous arrogance or confidence, one can argue that he is a hero nonetheless. Evidence and experience prove that Beowulf is more of a fearless hero than an excessively prideful man, and his hubris is more than justified due to the formidable duties he is able to execute. Throughout the poem, Beowulf expresses his intense strength and courage to the fearful people in the poem. His daring sense of self-assurance is backed by his victories against all three monsters, (even though he suffers a tragic death after facing the dragon, it is a defeat nonetheless).