Loyalty in "Beowulf"

Poem Review # 105255

English > Analysis
Literature > Poetry

An analysis of the theme of loyalty and faithfulness in the epic poem "Beowulf".

947 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper details how Beowulf's followers follow him when his strength is at its peak, but desert him when he is confronted with his deadliest test. The paper explains that Beowulf's loyalty to others is fueled by a profound sense of honor while his warriors, lacking his courage and sense of honor, are weak-willed and turn away from him when he needs them most. The paper shows how this poem is a testament to the extraordinary faith of Beowulf in others and in the warrior's code.

From the Paper:

"While Beowulf must endure faithlessness on the part of some of his men, this lack of constancy is not immediately apparent in the text. For instance, on the first night in the castle of Hrothgar, Beowulf lies surrounded by his sturdy retinue of Geat soldiers: "The Geats' great chief/dropped/His head to his pillow/and around him, as ready as they could be, lay the soldiers who had crossed /the sea/At his side, each of them sure that he was lost/to the home he loved" (688-692). These are men prepared to die with their leader, if the fates willed it, and loyalty is surely not an issue for any of them."