Loyalty In Beowulf

Samuel Westra

Ms. Wynkoop

English 12 - 1st Hour

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 and grows as readers dive into the tale of Beowulf’s legacy.
Loyalty reveals the true values of certain characters. For Beowulf, loyalty leads him throughout his journey of life, and because …show more content…
Beowulf puts his complete trust in 11 of the best men he knows, believing that these men were here to fight to the death along with him. Knowing Beowulf, he first believes that taking the Dragon would be a one-man job, but he still decides to bring 11 of his absolute best men, just in case he needs them. When it is apparent that Beowulf is not winning with ease, all but one of his men run to the woods in hiding, afraid of such a large and fearsome dragon. Only Wiglaf, an inexperienced thane who has great respect for his king, remains loyal. Wiglaf realizes that the others will be of no help and that his king is about to be killed, he stands beside the old man to fight to the death. The battle continues, but for Beowulf, it is the end. Although he and Wiglaf kill the dragon, Beowulf is gone. As Beowulf readies himself for death, he gives Wiglaf the opportunity of a lifetime, to rule Geatland and take his throne. Beowulf saw that this man was loyal enough to stand by Beowulf, when nobody else would, and live or die fighting the Dragon. Beowulf spent his entire life putting his own loyalty into others, and when Wiglaf showed the same amount of loyalty to Beowulf, as he had done throughout his entire life. In the last moments of Beowulf’s life, loyalty still guided him in everything he did. In his honor, great sacrifices of treasure, and monuments built in his honor. Beowulf commanded, "Order my troop to construct a barrow on a headland on the coast, after my pyre has cooled. It will loom on the horizon at Hronesness and be a reminder among my people –so that in coming times crews under sail will call it Beowulf's Barrow, as they steer ships across the wide and shrouded waters." (2802-2808). I believe that this quote was a final act of loyalty. Not by Beowulf, but by the people that had such loyalty and respects for over the many years of Beowulf’s

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