ipl-logo

How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty

747 Words3 Pages

Beowulf

Beowulf is a story of a hero who seems to defy false hope. A hero is a person of distinguished courage who has admirable qualities/abilities, which are exemplified through their acts. Beowulf illustrates the idea that humans can exceed the norm and combat with human evil and fears. There are three virtues that Beowulf personified: loyalty, courage and faith.

Loyalty was one of the most important qualities a man could have in Beowulf's time period. Loyalty was displayed in Beowulf's character quite clearly, starting with his decision to help the Danes. He was willing to put his own life on the line for the sole benefit of others. This loyalty was first shown when Beowulf went with his men to fight a monster so he could help his father repay his debt. Beowulf’s father Ecgtheow had started a rivalry. The king Hrothgar helped stop the feud, “Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance.”(470) Loyalty is exhibited when Beowulf returns to Geatland and Queen Hygd offers the throne to Beowulf. The Queen

Zerpa 2

believed that her son was not fit to rule the kingdom. However, Beowulf refuses the offer and serves his king with faith and loyalty. He expresses his loyalty yet again to the royal …show more content…

The demonstration of courage begins with the slaying of Grendel without the use armor. Beowulf shows his skills and courage, which is what is thought to be found in a hero. The decision behind the use of no armor is because Beowulf felt that there should be no advantage over Grendel. After the slaying of Grendel, Beowulf reassures the people that he really is courageous and skillful. Beowulf depicts his courageousness by stating; "I count myself weaker in war or grapple of battle than Grendel himself. Therefore I scorn to slay him with sword, Deal deadly wound, as I well might do nothing he knows of a noble fighting, Of thrusting and hewing and hacking of

Show More
Related
1250 Words | 5 Pages

The story tells of many characters who faced the same circumstances as Beowulf, yet failed to respond in a similar and valiant effort, like Beowulf. For example, when facing the dragon nearly all of his hand picked soldiers coward in fear. Beowulf then showed humility by turning down his first offer to be king. When Hrothgar died, he offered Beowulf the throne; however, he refused, which allowed the rightful heir, Hrothgar’s son to be placed into power. This decision exemplifies the value he placed on ethics and honor.

Read More
556 Words | 3 Pages

His loyalty could be supernatural, relating to his unknown supernatural powers. Therefore, Beowulf tries to prove himself a hero through his three conflictual battles; the Battle with Grendel, the Battle with Grendel's mother, and the final battle with the Dragon. Beowulf proved himself a hero in the Battle with Grendel by showing immense strength. He was so confident in himself that he said, “Why would I let my sword go where my feet are afraid to,”(170); therefore, he was courageous enough to fight the powerful monster with his bare hands.

Read More
467 Words | 2 Pages

In part one of “Beowulf” the hero, Beowulf goes to the Danes with courage and confidence to defeat Grendel and the dragon in part two. He had lots more confidence and courage when it was time to face Grendel than he did when it was time to face the dragon. He had more confidence fighting Grendel then

Read More
747 Words | 3 Pages

He withheld his strength, unless necessary, and with time, grew the loyalty, courage, and faith warriors have today. To start off with, loyalty is defined as “the quality of being loyal to someone or something”. In Beowulf by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf is illustrated in your mind as a powerful being who is modest in thought and speech and he is very loyal to his king and the Danes king, Hrothgar. Beowulf, is both modest and humble, when kindly explaining to

Read More
628 Words | 3 Pages

Beowulf is a strong heroic hero who shows honor,selfless,courage. Beowulf is a strong heroic hero in a way because heroes are protectors and he protected his people of his town. So he is a hero in fact a strong one and a loyal one. There is lots of ways he shows loyalty one i can show is “I had a fixed purpose when i came to sea as i sat in the boat with my band of men I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in attempt in the fields clutches i shall fulfill my purpose prove myself of proud deeds or meat my death her in the mead-hall”(pages 632-639).I chose this quote because it shows that beowulf would give his head for his people. I think that beowulf wanted to die for his king after all that is the reason

Read More
626 Words | 3 Pages

From all this, we know that the perception of a hero from Beowulf’s time differs from our perception today. As we feel that the intentions define a hero while in Beowulf’s time the reputation and accomplishments are what makes a

Read More
815 Words | 4 Pages

The story Beowulf contains many different rulers that people follow. Among the various characteristics these men share, a few great qualities shine through, these being generosity, loyalty, and bravery. The leader Beowulf portrays these qualities multiple times throughout the story, which define him as a model of leadership for all times. One of the reasons is that Beowulf always acts decisively and courageously to combat evil, and he is also noble in his actions. He knows how to create peace as well as to wage war.

Read More
232 Words | 1 Pages

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.

Read More
526 Words | 3 Pages

These nations were all founded by Anglo-Saxons and while they shared languages, religions, and culture, they were constantly at war with each other, as all Anglo-Saxon warriors must embody possibly the most important of the Anglo-Saxon values, loyalty. Warriors must be absolutely loyal to their own kings and must fight to protect him and the kingdom even at the cost of their own life. In Beowulf, both loyalty and lack of loyalty are displayed. Beowulf's loyalty is shown when he asks his king, Hygelac, if he could be allowed to help King Hrothgar defeat the monster Grendel, who had been attacking Hrothgar's kingdom for the past 12 years. His victory over Grendel added greatly to his reputation as a warrior, and he had earned the respect of Hrothgar, but Beowulf remained loyal and returned to his king.

Read More
703 Words | 3 Pages

Near the end of his life as a king, Beowulf found that his citizens were being terrorized by a dragon. Although he was old and grizzled, the king took it on in battle. He showed tremendous courage even when knowing the odds were not in his favor. Previously, during his time in Denmark, Beowulf killed Grendel’s mother with the sword made for a giant. This showed his superhuman strength because as an ordinary human being Beowulf was able to handle and control the giant’s sword.

Read More
675 Words | 3 Pages

Yes, Beowulf is brave, but not because he wants to do the right thing, he wants gold and glory. Beowulf is known as a great hero and on the surface he is. He seems to be brave and just but underneath that, Beowulf is extremely arrogant and egotistical. Beowulf does not just do things for they are the right thing to do, he does them seeing that great deeds will bring him honor and boost his reputation. He fights Grendel for bragging rights like the swimming contest Unferth brought up and he refuses to use a sword when fighting Grendel because it will just add to his bravery.

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
656 Words | 3 Pages

Stories contain many characters with some that stand out more than the others. A person is considered the protagonist depending on who is telling the story and what story is being told. The protagonist is the main character in a literary work. Whether good or evil, the audience sympathize with the protagonist and understands the motif of the character. Beowulf is a protagonist whose encounters with evil proves him to be a strong heroic warrior.

Read More
1718 Words | 7 Pages

"He gave Herdred all his support, offering an open heart where Higlac's young son could see wisdom he still lacked himself: warmth and goodwill were what Beowulf brought his new king. " This shows Beowulf's loyalty to Higlac his late King, and to his family. Beowulf would not be dishonorable by taking what wasn't rightfully his; he would rather stand by Higlac's son and teach him all he knows. Beowulf is the hero to his King's son and country, by staying loyal and having honor.

Read More

More about How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty

Related Topics

Open Document