ipl-logo

How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty

901 Words4 Pages

Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Tale of Loyalty and Glory In today’s day and age, each individual value or values that people hold fill up an immense spectrum; the number of different values are innumerable. The epic poem Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, follows the antagonist hero, Beowulf, and his gang of Geats as they quest for fame and fortune, glory and gold in Anglo-Saxon times. In the story, the team of warriors under Beowulf’s leadership undertake impossible tasks such as slaying a deadly monster and an even deadlier dragon. The journey of these Geats consists of many battles and obstacles that emphasize the core values of the Anglo-Saxon era. Two codes that greatly affected the passages and decisions of the warriors in the epic poem are loyalty and glory. …show more content…

When Beowulf first arrives on Hrothgar’s land, a guard demands who Beowulf and his group are, where they are from, and their purpose for coming. Beowulf loyally responds that “[they] are Geats, / Men who follow Higlac. My father / Was a famous soldier, known far and wide / As a leader of men. His name was Edgetho” (260-263). Throughout the story, Beowulf mentions multiple times his loyalty to Higlac and how he fights to glorify him. Another instance of Beowulf’s loyalty is when he refuses the role of king after the death of Higlac. Instead, Beowulf encourages Higlac’s son to inherit the throne, accepting the throne only after Higlac’s son dies and showing his everlasting loyalty towards his

Show More
Related
423 Words | 2 Pages

During this account, the narrator shows that Hrothgar puts trust in Beowulf based on past experiences with his father, and accepts his offer to defend Heorot. III. Beowulf defends his honor After the king accepts Beowulf’s offer to defend his kingdom, he invites him to a feast in his honor. At the feast, a Dane named Unferth, was jealous of the king’s admiration of Beowulf and begins to insult him.

Read More
1109 Words | 5 Pages

Hrothgar mentions that, "what [Beowulf has] done is to draw to peoples,/ the Geat nation and [them the] neighbouring Danes,/ into shared peace and a pact of friendship/ in spite of hatreds we have harboured in the past" (1855-1858). In that statement, Hrothgar is stating that Beowulf would be the right person to be a king for the Geats. It shows that Beowulf follows the ethics of king when he decides to makes peace with another nation when they had conflict. Also, he even states that Beowulf is "a protector of his people, pledged to uphold/ truth and justice and to respect tradition. . . in a things you are even-tempered,/ prudent and resolute" (1700-1706).

Read More
1408 Words | 6 Pages

Beowulf’s Vengeance It is a fair night in Geatland, and Beowulf is celebrating his victory over Grendel's Mother in the mead hall Higlac built for his nephew. The mead hall is named The Court of Champions. "Let us celebrate my nephew’s great accomplishments of ridding the Danish people of their hideous creatures!" Higlac exclaims as he raises his mead cup to his subjects. Higlac by far was one of the fairest kings the Geats have had, after raids he gave each member a portion of the loot and made sure that everyone in the clan was cared for.

Read More
604 Words | 3 Pages

His father was Ecgtheow; Hrethel the Geat; Gave him in wedlock his only daughter. Now is their son come, keen for adventure, Finding his way to a faithful friend” (Beowulf 112-115). Hrothgar and Beowulf actually have Uncle and nephew relationship. This relationship proves that Beowulf is the noble birth, and Beowulf also has a family connection with King.

Read More
299 Words | 2 Pages

A loyal person is worth trusting. Loyalty is a characteristic of being devoted to a person, place, or a thing that requires patience and faith. An example of loyalty is towards another to form a non-waivered allegiance. In the medieval legends Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Morte d'Arthur, heroic figures prove their loyalty through memorable deeds, quests, and contests. In Beowulf, the idea of loyalty is to honor your word and your duty to your family, friends, and the Anglo- Saxons.

Read More
698 Words | 3 Pages

”(71, 1060) This shows what Beowulf has done to be a leader of his people. Beowulf is a strong leader to the Geats, he is brave and successful. However his total opposite Hrothgar shows different forms of

Read More
232 Words | 1 Pages

However, Beowulf’s intentions on defending the Danes are deeper than his own reputation; in fact the heroic Geat was devoted to the king, because of an old past. Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father had killed the leader of the Wulfings tribe

Read More
532 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf attempted to comfort Hrothgar and the warriors by exclaiming, “Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all to avenge our friends, not mourn them forever”. He then aims to convince Hrothgar that “for the glory of his name, fame after death is the noblest of goals”. Beowulf believes it is worth dying for a good

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

In Beowulf, an English epic poem that tells of the tell of the incredible warrior Beowulf, Anglo-Saxons values of the time period are displayed. Loyalty, bravery, and honesty are three of the most important values

Read More
675 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf says “The noblest and wisest counselors of my people advised me to come to you, lord Hrothgar because they knew of my great strength. ”(page 13, paragraph 4) Beowulf says he destroyed the race of giants, killed sea monsters and he endured hardships to avenge

Read More
1135 Words | 5 Pages

He did carry the ways of a Anglo-Saxon which were honesty, kindness,loyalty, and honor. But all of that was soon covered up with his prideful thinking. Beowulf came to the aid of the king Hrothgar and his people willingly, knowing he could solve the king’s problem. Beowulf succeed in killing the monster getting fame , glory, and riches. Although Beowulf brought along his mighty warriors he persisted that they stay and watch him defeat the monster named “Grendel’’ all alone.

Read More
821 Words | 4 Pages

The epic poem “Beowulf”, translated by Burton Raffel, focuses on a hero by the name of Beowulf who goes on a quest to rescue King Hrothgar and his people from an egregious monster by the name of Grendel. This Anglo-Saxon tale gives insight into the values and beliefs of the people from whom the story originated. Their war-centered ideology and views on loyalty and courage were the principles that the Anglo-Saxon culture was founded upon. While warfare was a focal point in their lifestyle, it was far from a savage, barbaric state of fighting. Honor and prestige were bestowed upon those who died during battle and selflessness for fellow warriors was a fundamental belief.

Read More
317 Words | 2 Pages

The translator of Beowulf used the battles between Beowulf and the monster to inform the reader that loyalty and allegiance is the most valued aspect in the Anglo Saxon culture. As the story unfolded we learn that Beowulf is such a heroic human but without the group of fourteen of the mightiest Geats Beowulf would not be a mighty as he is shown to be. The Geats, mighty warriors, which supported Beowulf throughout the story showed their first sign of loyalty when they went to confront Grendel. The following quote is stated before the battle with Grendel, “Beowulf arose, with his men around him, ordering few to remain with their weapons”. The Geats are well aware what Grendel has done and what he is capable of but yet their loyalty lays with

Read More
805 Words | 4 Pages

He has true honor and respectfully distributes treasure and gifts to those whom he believes rightfully deserves them. Beowulf’s loyalty to the Danes helps shed light on his true character. He expresses that he believes he may die in battle between Grendel, but that does not dissuade him from fighting the beast. Another example is when Hygelac dies, Beowulf is asked to take the throne. In doing so, that would mean the the son of Hygelac would be stripped of his own inheritance, which is dishonorable in Beowulf’s eyes, and thus he declines the offer.

Read More
447 Words | 2 Pages

Not only have we seen brute strength, honorable courage, and admirable loyalty shine through beowulf, Beowulf also possess a great trait not many others have; his will to fight to the death, or self sacrifice. Not once throughout the story did Beowulf ever turn down a battle. Not once did he fear or flee his enemy. Not once did he ever give up even if death had him by the throat causing his mind to flood nothing but fearful thoughts and feelings throughout his body. Every battle Beowulf fought, he fought as if it was his last and that is what truly makes him the great warrior he is.

Read More

More about How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty

Related Topics

Open Document