Heroism and loyalty in beowulf term paper

Seamus Heaney, Beowulf, Beowulf Grendel, Fairy Reports

Excerpt from Term Daily news:

Ina word, Beowulf is a hero that can be referred to with 1 word – loyal.

Beowulf is absolutely nothing if he’s not dedicated. This is a tremendous trait and one that every warrior or perhaps hero need to possess. We know that a hero must not only be loyal to oneself, but also to one’s personal belief and one’s region and one’s belief to become good soldier. Loyalty appears in the poem in many different ways, with a single being how a other heroes in the composition relate to Beowulf. For example , Hrothgar demonstrates his loyalty to Beowulf with promises of your “rich treasure” (385) intended for his good deeds. This scene is usually interesting because we see that loyalty can be described as two-way streets. On the one hand, Beowulf is showing his commitment to his code of ethics by providing Hrothgar his assistance because his dad, Hrethel, payable Hrothgar a favor. Beowulf arrives “to follow up a classic friendship” (376). On the other hand, Hrothgar repays Beowulf for his loyalty with treasures. Hrothgar tells his people that pertaining to his heroism, he will “recompense him using a abundant treasure” (387). Here we come across how the two men understand societal codes and exclusive chance them in spite of they have hardly ever met each other. We see another example of commitment when Unferth lends his sword, Hrunting, to Beowulf. This landscape is significant because Unferth did not constantly think highly of Beowulf. Over time, Unferth comes to be familiar with hero in Beowulf and, as a result, values him a whole lot. His sword “never failed/that hand of anyone who had fought and faced the worst/in the gap of danger” (1460-2). His offering is a exhibition of dedication declaring that he features Beowulf and supports him.

These are certainly not the only cases in which Beowulf is compensated for his loyalty. We come across Halfdane’s son reward Beowulf with a grand feast in which he gives him gifts of gold, that happen to be “standard like a victory gift” (1020) together with a banner, a helmet, and a sword that are “tokens of honour” (1023). Later in the history, Wealhtheow accolades Beowulf having a torque and a snail mail. She says that Beowulf and his men are “true to the other, /loyal to god, loving in spirit” (1228-9). Through the identification of others, we see the achievement of Beowulf’s character. All of us also understand that Beowulf’s gallantry and commitment are not insignificant. To the opposite, it is a thing that is to be admired and rewarded. These scenes illustrate how loyalty is really important to not the particular warrior but also his followers.

Facing the monster is yet another sort of Beowulf’s heroism and devotion. We examine:

No support or backing up was to become had then simply From his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran because of their lives for the safety from the wood. (256-9)

This is definitely Beowulf’s finest challenge. Nothing at all demonstrates dedication more than a disloyal act. In this article we see that Beowulf’s males were not to the same problem as Beowulf. They give in to fear and “sorrow welled up: in a man of worth/the promises of kinship cannot be denied” (2601). It is crucial to realize not all of the men back down in fear. Wiglaf displays his loyalty when he could not come back after all that he had viewed. We read that his “spirit did not break” (2628) despite his youth and inexperience. Here we see it is never too late to be dedicated to one self or your cause. Furthermore, Wiglaf shows his dedication and braveness when he rebukes the others for his or her lack of bravery, telling these people:

As The almighty is my own witness, would prefer to my body had been robed in the same using blaze because my gold-giver’s body than go back home bearing arms. (2650-3)

Wiglaf cannot believe the particular others have done and remains to be loyal to Beowulf even though everyone else has turned on him. When Beowulf dies, devotion is epitomized as we browse how those who deserted Beowulf felt disgrace and embarrassment for their actions.

Two words that describe Beowulf will be hero and constant. These two distinct characteristics are what sets Beowulf in addition to everyone else. Beowulf places dedication on a large pedestal and, as a result, this individual becomes a hero. He is not really a tragic main character as Fisher points out because he “becomes the universal kind of humanity along with the life of humanity in its greatness, in its wonder and sorrow” (Fisher). This is why we love Beowulf so much. He can real and we can rely on him. His life includes the best plus the worst of everything. He looks his individual fear if he faces Grendel and he faces staying left by itself when he arguements the dragon. He is a hero as they does not allow his fear rule more than him. He does not make an effort to deny his fear either. Instead, he prepares for the most detrimental as he gives it all his best. Because he can encounter all of his battles with honor, he’s a leading man we can take pleasure in. He fought against evil creatures, which built him a hero in the day. Today, we understand his braveness as a highly effective trait.

Functions Cited

Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf. Bilingual impotence. New York T. W. Norton Company, 2150.

Fisher, Philip. “The Studies of the Legendary Hero in Beowulf. inch PMLA. JSTOR Resource Databases. http://www.jstor.org/Site Reached February 12-15, 2008.

Lawall, Sarah. “Beowulf. ” The Norton Anthology of Universe Masterpieces. Vol. I. Ny W. W. Norton and Company, 1999.

Magill, Outspoken. “Beowulf. inch Masterpieces of World Materials. New York: Harper and