Beowulf's Loyalty

Words: 1762
Pages: 8
Open Document
Loyal to one or all Beowulf is a tale of a hero defeating many beasts. The story is so significant that there is only one remaining original copy. This tale has lasted through many generations and will continue to do so. In the tale we find Beowulf time and time again being the hero and saving the day. He saves the day for other nations on many occasions and then decides to lead a nation of his own. Late in Beowulf’s career he rises to the challenge to defeat the dragon. His soldiers do not know what to do and immediately panic in the sight of danger. Wiglaf is the only soldier who is up for the fight and tries to bring the other soldiers together. In this point in the story it is evident that loyalty still exist. Loyalty is a key component …show more content…
To me this is a major point in the story. At this moment, Wiglaf is the perfect example of being a soldier and staying loyal to one's leader. When he says, “As God as my witness,” the reader knows that what is to follow will be truthful and from the heart. The rest of the quote talks about having his body robed like his gold-giver’s body. A gold-giver is a king or leader that is highly looked up to. That is basically the ultimate compliment for that time period. It means that Wiglaf would rather die before his leader or die in his leader’s place because he views Beowulf’s life as more important than his own. When he finishes the quote by saying, “than to go back home bearing arms”, he essentially means it is better for him to try to win the fight even if he must die than to not try at all and go home with the feeling of guilt. As a whole it can be seen as if he were telling the soldiers, “If Beowulf is fighting the monstrous dragon then so are …show more content…
He has always been a take charge leader even if he was the only one going into battle. When leading the Geats he never ran into trouble with potential danger or threats because he always dealt with the issue by himself. His army was in a vulnerable position where they did not know what to do and had not been trained for. Since they had never been in this position of vulnerability before they panic out of fear for the unknown and leave Beowulf and Wiglaf. Wiglaf is the only soldier who stays and tries to bring the others back into battle with his motivational speech. Beowulf does become injured and knows he will die from the poisonous battle wound but he does not have to suffer at the hands of the dragon. Wiglaf came to help defeat the dragon in order for Beowulf to deliver the fatal blow to the dragon. Without Wiglaf’s loyalty to his king, Beowulf would have died by himself with the beast he was so determined to kill.
The tale of Beowulf only has one remaining original copy. This story has survived for many generations to enjoy. It is a story of heroic deeds and loyalty. Beowulf’s supernatural strength saves him more than once making his name great. As a leader he makes all the calls and deals with issues personally. His last battle he must rely on loyalty alone to save him from the dragon. Without the loyalty of Wiglaf, Beowulf would have suffered and died
Show More

Related Documents: Beowulf's Loyalty

Loyalty In Beowulf

November 9th, 2015 Beowulf Analysis Loyalty is a powerful bond between two people, and this bond is maintained by a mutual trust in eachother. Throughout Beowulf, loyalty is a recurring theme that gives us a deeper understanding of not one, but many characters. All a man has is his word, and the loyalty of men and women between each other is obvious in Beowulf. In this time period, loyalty was among the highest traits a person could have. The theme of Loyalty throughout this heroic epic develops…

Words 992 - Pages 4

Comparing Beowulf And The Anglo-Saxon Culture

sets off to slay a monster, Grendel, who is wreaking havoc in the land of the Danes. Hrothgar, king of Danes, accepts Beowulf’s help, and Beowulf defeats Grendel. This epic is set in the time of the Anglo-Saxon culture, where tradition and values reigned supreme. Beowulf provides an insight into the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture, such as power and strength, honor and loyalty, and bravery and truth. First of all, strength and power are important values in both Beowulf and in the Anglo-Saxon culture…

Words 1215 - Pages 5

Beowulf Themes

include how we treat each other, the dangers of pride and greed, what makes a great leader, etc. The three themes of this epic that stand out to me are heroism, loyalty, and Good vs. Evil. Beowulf is a fierce warrior with many traits that makes him a great hero. His character traits include bravery, courage, strength, brilliant, etc. Beowulf’s heroism saves Hrothgar…

Words 748 - Pages 3

Beowulf Leadership Essay

that can truly lead. History is scattered with glorious leaders: Alexander the Great, Winston Churchill, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, to name a few. There are certain attributes that all great leaders share; selflessness, strength, confidence, and loyalty. In Seamus Heaney’s translation of the epic poem, Beowulf, the hero of the poem-Beowulf-fights three separate monsters, each more difficult than the last. Throughout his journey, the audience realizes that Beowulf exemplifies each of the elements…

Words 1041 - Pages 5

Beowulf: Pride And Unferth

passage I was drawn to is when Beowulf is sharing his request to the Danes and Unferth. It gives multiple insights of the Beowulf character and the narrator. I believe the prior conversation between Beowulf and Unferth characterizes Beowulf by his loyalty…

Words 1236 - Pages 5

Beowulf: A Powerful Warrior

warrior that gained power by building his reputation for killing creatures. Beowulf’s first battle was with Grendel. Grendel’s mother was furious and Beowulf had to battle her. Beowulf’s son, the Dragon, was who he fought last. In every battle that he fought in, he showed that he was brave and loyal. In this epic poem, Beowulf gains a powerful reputation by battling Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. Beowulf’s battle with Grendel began when Grendel slayed the Danes while they were dancing…

Words 432 - Pages 2

Grendel's Mother and Poem Beowulf Essay

and is loved by all. It's these extraordinary deeds that bring this ancient story, set in 6th century Denmark, to modern day readers. So why is Beowulf considered a hero of epic proportions? He risks his life for the sake of his people, he shows loyalty in times of hoplessness and because of all this, he is highly glorified by others. Beowulf risks his life for others many times in this story. The first is when Beowulf fights the man-eating monster Grendel. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar's people…

Words 667 - Pages 3

Loyalty In Beowulf

Geatland, and as a leader it was Beowulf’s duty to generously reward and care for his people. An Anglo Saxon leader took responsibility for his men and would justly reward them for their services. Before challenging Grendel’s merciless mother, Beowulf must insure the care of his men in the event that he does not return from the battle. Guaranteeing the safety of his men signifies that Beowulf is a committed leader who demonstrates the values of trust and loyalty (cm). “The father and protector…

Words 475 - Pages 2

Beowulf Vs Achilles Research Paper

hero superior over the rest of society when they are just like us? Two of the greatest heroes of all time are Beowulf and Achilles. Beowulf is known for strength, courage and boastfulness and Achilles is known for strength, courage, fairness, and loyalty. In the epic poems Beowulf and Iliad two main characters, Achilles and Beowulf show several similarities in their leadership abilities, but there is one major difference in their motivations to fight. Achilles is one of the Greek heroes that fought…

Words 670 - Pages 3

Beowulf: Beowulf and Epic Hero Essay

or oaths, reliance on fate, and boastfulness or pride. Beowulf’s faithfulness to his oaths and debts is one of the many characteristics that have made him an ideal Anglo- Saxon epic hero. Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, says “Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because/ of the reception your father found at our court” (lns. 191-192). Hrothgar says this because Beowulf’s father once came to Herot to help the Danes. And for his loyalty the Danes accept and help him as well. It is also said…

Words 296 - Pages 2