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Theme Of Loyalty In Beowulf

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The poem Beowulf explores many different themes throughout the poem, but most importantly the position and danger of both loyalty, and revenge. Until now, rather than supporting a certain theme, the author declares opposing views between both themes, leaving the us to decide for ourselves Loyalty the benefit that guides Beowulf through every step in the journey he takes. Coming to the assistance of the Danes is clear evidence for this right. The Danish king, Hrothgar, came to the assistance of Beowulf’s late father, Ecgtheow, years before a tribal argument by paying praise to Ecgtheow’s enemies. Beowulf is proud to keep to his loyalty to the Danes and help Hrothgar in his time of need, even to the point of risking his life more than a few …show more content…

His enthusiastic loyalty to his kingdom caused Beowulf to make a quick decision of going after the dragon instead of, taking a moment to think of the consequences or come up with a strategy. By rushing into battle, Beowulf’s old age is no match for the fires of the deadly beast, and though the dragon is slayed, Beowulf dies as well. Now there is the subject of revenge. This was clearly a motivating issue for the beast, Grendel. Jealous of the joy and happiness inside of Herot’s halls, he attacks the men, seeking revenge for the God forsaken tradition that he has been given. This thoughtless act, encouraged on by the heat of an emotion, caused Grendel to die by the blade of Beowulf’s sword. Severely limited, vengeance could be a helpful thing. Grendel’s mother seeking revenge for the killing of her son could’ve had a more positive outcome if she had planned her hunt more wisely. Maybe, if she had come and offered her case to the Danes, they could have worked out some sort of agreement, instead of Beowulf having to kill her too. The same thing goes for the dragon at the end of the poem. Later, a run-away slave had stolen a valuable treasure from the monster’s lair, which results in the fiery beast going on an unforgiving raid on Beowulf’s home kingdom. Perhaps, if the dragon had pled his case to the gracious king, Beowulf could’ve hunted after the

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654 Words | 3 Pages

The author recalls, “Suddenly then the God-cursed brute was creating havoc: greedy and grim, he rushed to his lair, flushed up and inflamed from the raid, blundering back with the butchered corpses” (Beowulf 126-129). Grendel had no self restraint and was excessive in his killings and tortures. These malicious incidents prompted Beowulf to come to the Danes and set up a surprise attack which would later be the reason of death for Grendel. Although Grendel is the first monster in this epic poem, he can stand for the whole idea of what barbaric elements are and his death can represent how the civilized will always conquer

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Finally, both men beowulf and wiglaf, demonstrate Anglo- Saxon value of loyalty. All decisions made by both men are done due to their loyalty to their king and the Danes. Beowulfs loyalty to the danes stems from his fathers war, that hrothgar ended. Hrothgar explains, “Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance.”

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At this point in the story, Beowulf has taken on the role as king. He now has a large responsibility to protect his people. Now, whether he wants to or not, Beowulf must live up to his reputation to protect his own people. He has no other choice but to fight the dragon that has invaded his land. Beowulf keeping the best interest of the people in mind, is shown in the story, Beowulf, on page 62, lines 815 to 824.

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No one actually wanted to go against Grendel because, he was so dangerous. However, Beowulf was not afraid he did not care how dangerous he was. Beowulf considered, he may even die. Beowulf Challenged Grendel for attacking and killing the

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1015 Words | 5 Pages

Grendel was only acting on instinct since the music hurt his ears. The author sets the tone in the story for us to have compassion for Grendel since Beowulf plays the roll of making the humans look bad. They exiled Grendel therefor, he did not stand a chance in the first place to become good, but instead have to live a life of misery. Grendel also only attacked when they played music since it sent waves of agony through his head. He was acting because of pain and not because he really wanted to hurt everyone.

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At the beginning of the story, Beowulf offers to kill the monster, in search of honor and glory. Being the brave warrior that he was, he succeeds by killing two monsters and a dragon. The dragon itself symbolizes greed, it hoards Beowulf’s treasure in a “barrow” that is a grave. Beowulf shows greed in the story again when he strangled Grendel’s Mother with his hands. Then he notices a sword that catches his attention and so he grabbed it and almost left the cave

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This is the beginning of Grendel falling directly into the role that the dragon said he would need to fill. Grendel’s murderous tendencies completely reflect the monstrous side of his personality and the more he kills the more he grows insane, separating from rational, humanistic thought. “I am swollen with excitement, bloodlust and joy and a strange fear that mingle in my chest like the twisting rage of a bone-fire... I am blazing, half-crazy with joy” (168). It is clear that, by the time Beowulf arrives, Grendel has embraced the fact that he is required to be evil, despite the fact that he previously claimed he would oppose that destiny.

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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.

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338 Words | 2 Pages

As Beowulf has a bond to Hrothgar because of his relationship to his father Ecgtheow, he chooses to journey to her realm which is under gloomy monster-infested waters and face her. Beowulf is a warrior who is bold, brave, and unafraid of challenges. In this grueling battle Beowulf comes close to perishing, as his sword Hrunting fails him. However he finds an ancient sword in the cave and uses it to kill her. He was setback by the loss of the sword but he prevailed and defeated the troll-dam.

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As a payment to the king of the Danes, he decides to fight the dragon, just as he fought Grendel. Then he was a warrior and now he is a king responsible for his people. Beowulf’s decision is courageous but inappropriate for a king. His foolish but courageous decision causes him to die in the end. Before he fought the mighty dragon, he said “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles.

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As the story progress, Beowulf became king of the Geats for 50 years when suddenly a dragon emerged from slumber began to burn down villages. However, Beowulf didn’t pay the slightest attention, but instead ignored what was happening. Finally, when the dragon burns down Beowulf’s throne room Beowulf decided that he needs to deal with the dragon. In Beowulf 's eyes, the lives of his citizens couldn’t even compare to his throne room. When Beowulf prepared to fight the dragon he said, “Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning” (lines 2512-2514).

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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.

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863 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf is fighting for glory and to make a name for himself, but he is also fighting for the people that Grendel terrorizes. Beowulf is fulfilling his responsibility to the other

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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).

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789 Words | 4 Pages

Beowulf’s Motivations (An Understanding of the motivations of Beowulf to Fight the Three Monsters) Every human being has a certain code with which they follow, most are outlined by the Anglo-Saxon, better known as Viking, code. This code itself was depicted through the epic poem known as, “Beowulf,” and more importantly, Beowulf’s motivations. His first motivation for fighting Grendel, is because he believes it is his duty to fight the monster. Secondly, Beowulf believes that fighting Grendel’s mother would help him in receive glory.

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