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How is beowulf loyal
How does beowulf express honor
Factors of loyalty in Beowulf
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More handpicked essays just for you.
How is beowulf loyal
How does beowulf express honor
Factors of loyalty in Beowulf
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
In Beowulf, Wiglaf proves the trait of loyalty is an archetype that fails to fade as time passes. In sharp contrast with the rest of Beowulf’s chosen thanes, Wiglaf chooses be brave and
Then he goes to Beowulf’s side and helped fight the dragon. This causes the dragon to strike again, which leads to another setback for the heroes. On the dragon’s third onslaught, he draws blood. Wiglaf get past the flames in strikes the dragon. Leading to Beowulf to deliver the fatal wound, after all of this Beowulf senses that he is near death.
Soon after, Grendel’s mother wanted vengeance for her son and begun to kill more men in Herot. Beowulf found the mother’s home and killed her and Grendel at once. Towards the end of the epic poem, he also defeated a dragon with the help of Wiglaf. Other soldiers went to the cave with Beowulf but when he needed their help, they all cowered away while Wiglaf went to help his king. The scene showed how not everyone can face the same bravery as Beowulf once did.
Loyalty is a factor in Wiglaf and Beowulf’s friendship as well as it is in gangs in modern day society. Loyalty is expressed in Beowulf by Wiglaf’s unquestionable desire to do anything that was required of him to remain devoted to Beowulf. Wiglaf states in Beowulf, “I’d rather burn myself than see flames swirling around my Lord” (44). His loyalty was stronger than his trepidation.
The Anglo - Saxon Culture valued war, loyalty, honor, and riches. The American values are not the same as the Anglo - Saxon values. The Modern day values focus more on religion and equality. Shild was an abandoned child, who valued honor and riches to become a King.
This gives the viewpoint that Beowulf had a right to kill the dragon, although the dragon was the first victim. Wiglaf being his murder assistant should stay named a hero. He may have made the world blind, but he saved it from destruction. Beowulf was notified that there was a dragon who was “fired” up about a certain thief. To view the facts, the dragon had a precious piece of gold stolen.
The reason for that being, he thought it wouldn’t be fair so he used his strength and overcome the evil creature, descendant of Cain, also known as Grendel. Beowulf shows himself aging as the battles keep coming along. The time arrives to fight the dragon and he was weak and old and somewhat knew he couldn’t do this fight alone. The dragon poisons Beowulf with a bite into the neck, and just before Beowulf is dying Wiglaf steps in scavenges through the dragon’s treasures and then returns to show Beowulf and then speaks, “Now that I’ve bought this bright treasure mound with my old lifeblood look to my kingdom the need of my Geats— I must leave you now”. (2799-2801)
(Beowulf 179). Wiglaf eventually aides Beowulf in the slaying of the dragon and even though Beowulf’s sword fails him in battle against the dragon, Beowulf protects Wiglaf and ultimately ends up
Beowulf is part of another tribe and is willingly offering to help the Danes. This shows that providing protection and safety to the people, even those of another
Beowulf is the main hero in the poem, and he travels to the land of the Danes to help King Hrothgar get rid of the monster Grendel. After having slain Grendel, there is still a huge crisis present. Grendel’s mother comes to the Hall of Heorot to avenge the death of her kinsmen by killing Aeschere. Aeschere is one of Hrothgar’s most trusted advisors, and his loss bear’s heavy on Hrothgar’s heart. In the culture displayed in Beowulf, the bonds of friendship and kinsmanship are very important to the characters.
His loyalty shows when he tries to inspire his fellow warriors to help Beowulf. “I remember that time when mead was flowing, how we pledged our loyalty to our lord in the hall… now the day has come when this lord we serve needs sound men.” (Beowulf 764). Wiglaf’s willingness to give his life for another shines though when Beowulf attempts to kill a dragon but seems to be losing the fight. Wiglaf in an attempt to inspire his men exclaims “As God as my witness I would rather my body were robbed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than go back home bearing arms.”
Men would risk their lives for treasure and honor. “Each man, who had sailed with Beowulf and risk the voyage received a bounty” (lines beowulf (1050-1052)). In other words, the men risked their lives on the voyage to receive gold and honor. The Anglo Saxon culture valued gold and treasure more than their own lives. At the end of the poem, while Beowulf was dying he requested that Wiglaf retrieve the gold he had just “won”.
In the great epic, Beowulf, an unknown poet describes Beowulf as an invincible hero with the amazing strength stronger than any human ever, but does having the traits of an incredible warrior, make him a great king? A great king is loyal, generous, reliable and should be able to realize what he needs to do to make sure his people are safe. Beowulf is brave, strong, and extremely confident in his combat abilities, but Beowulf does not think about the possible effects of his actions. Beowulf cares about his fame, fortune, and legacy, but he often makes rushed decisions that risk his life and could potentially leave his people powerless and unprotected. During Beowulf’s transformation from thane to king, he has always had more of a warrior’s mindset,
Cousin to Beowulf, he always kept in mind the good thing he’d given him such as armor, gold and the great estates the Wexstans now owned. A good man from the start with good morals. This shaped him to be the follower he was and now the leader he is. Wiglaf, as I just mentioned, is a good man. One of simple proud qualities.
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