How Is Beowulf Loyal

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Beowulf is a well-known Anglo-Saxon epic poem. Beowulf, the main character in the epic whose namesake, exemplifies many of the characteristics of an epic hero. He is knowledgeable, robust, and loyal to the people that he helps. By displaying bravery, honor, and loyalty, Beowulf reflects the beliefs, traditions, and values of Anglo-Saxon culture. Beowulf displays bravery and strength by his actions in the fight with Grendel. When King Hrothgar tells Beowulf about Grendel, the monster who lurks in the marsh, he plans to defeat him. Beowulf displays bravery when he plans to defeat Grendel using only his bare hands. Grendel “[g]rasped at …[the] strong-hearted wakeful sleeper” (Beowulf line 188), Beowulf, and he vigorously grips Grendel’s arm. …show more content…

Grendel’s mother kills King Hrothgar’s advisor, and Beowulf comes back defeat her. Showing no fear, Beowulf bravely goes straight into the water that Grendel’s mother is in. She drags “him, armor and sword and all” (lines 377-378) through the water in the marsh to her den. Beowulf shows his bravery by not fleeing as many others would. During the ensuing battle, Beowulf displays his strength when he grabs a massive sword that was “hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic” (lines 430-431). Beowulf effortlessly lifts the gigantic sword above his head and plants the sword into the neck of Grendel’s mother. Additionally, Beowulf shows even more of his strength when he finds the corpse of Grendel, beheads it and swims all the way to shore while holding it in his hand like a …show more content…

The brave and noble Beowulf comes out of retirement when word gets around that “a dragon awoke from its darkness” (line 472). This presentation of bravery is the most impressive because Beowulf is eighty years old when he fights and defeats the dragon. Beowulf says that he will fight the dragon if “the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face…[him]” (lines 487-488). Wiglaf also shows bravery when he runs into the tower to help Beowulf and just narrowly missing the dragon’s breath that would have turned him into a pile of ashes. Beowulf shows pure strength when he breaks his sword after impaling the dragon. Beowulf displays bravery when he continues to fight after the dragon bites him on the neck. Because of his strength and bravery, Beowulf never backs down from a challenge which is a quality that the Anglo-Saxons encouraged among their

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