Beowulf is a poem that exploits the theme loyalty within its characters. Beowulf himself is a complex character who possesses the trait loyalty to his followers and also his own country. Beowulf, who is the main hero of the poem, shows great loyalty through his actions. An example of loyalty was when the Geats showed Beowulf loyalty by following Beowulf’s last request before he had died. “Then the Geats built the tower, as Beowulf had asked, strong and tall... For ten long days they made this monument.” A contemporary example of this could be when a loved one passes away you show loyalty to them by following their last request. “And so Beowulf’s followers rode, mourning their beloved leader, crying that no better king had ever lived, no prince …show more content…
Another example that is found in Beowulf is being loyal or disloyal to a friend. In the poem Beowulf Wiglaf is talking to the other men that served Beowulf. Wiglaf begins to remind the other men of the times when Beowulf showed the men loyalty and kindness. When you continue reading Wigalf is actually disappointed in the other men for not fighting alongside with Beowulf. An everyday life example of this can be when someone hurts someone emotionally and you can be so loyal to that person and that person doesn’t show an act of loyalty back. “Then Wiglaf went back, anxious to return while Beowulf was alive, to bring him treasure they’d won together.” This quote Wiglaf is showing Beowulf loyalty. Wiglaf could of left Beowulf to die and taken his treasures for himself, although instead he showed loyalty to Beowulf and brought the treasures to him. A example of this could be say you’re working on a project on the same subject and your teacher gives the highest grade to the other student and you got a lower grade and everyone loves the other students project but you did the same exact thing but someone in the class gives you just as much praise as the other student