How Is Beowulf Loyal

Beowulf possesses the fundamental qualities of a hero. He has Bravery beyond compare, super human strength, and loyalty to sacrifice. The epic hero often battles to help people, putting aside fear in trade for his faith in God. Beowulf is very aware of his strength and power which enables him to effectively help people who can not help themselves. His heroic qualities were bravery, loyalty, wisdom and physical strength. Loyalty is a decision and in Beowulf’s loyalty is a guiding virtue. When one is loyal to another they have decided to invest in someone no matter what. Choosing to be loyal can be uncomfortable and inconvenient and if one is not ready to endure personal suffering to be loyal than they are not loyal at all.

His loyalty is portrayed when he fights the dragon in his old age. He was in no condition to fight but he fights for his people. This is what a king, queen, and any type of leader should do, demonstrate an unconditional love and service to his people. It’s important to keep in mind that not all would treat Beowulf with the same loyalty. During he dragon scene, it is Beowulf’s men who abandon him to the dragon and only Wiglaf who stays behind. That was a sharp contrast to the loyalty of Beowulf; these men could not be loyal when their first priority was self-protection. The loss of Beowulf left many in the kingdom heartbroken and of course this is the case because there were few like Beowulf who with bravery and love would sacrifice themselves to be loyal in helping others. Beowulf’s death then was a course a monumental loss of a

He tells Hrothgar “The Lord will decide who will and who will die. If Grendall wins it will be an awful sight……Fate works as it must” (chapter 6) Beowulf’s ability to set aside fear is strength possessed by the best heroes. Beowulf puts his faith in God and His plan which is what Christians are called to do. Hebrews 2:15 says “And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” It’s impossible to be a hero when you are enslaved to fear because a slave by definition is in bondage and a hero can not be restricted by bondage and be effective. It is overcoming fear that makes a hero, yes heroes still have fear but they do not let it enslave them. Faith in God’s plan freed Beowulf from enslavement to fear. This faith in God’s divine providence is also seen in Hrothgar, the wise king. Hrothgar says “For Wyrd hath swept them into Grendel’s grasps. But God is able this deadly foe from his deeds to turn!” These two great leaders have this in common, a profound ability to set aside fear through faith and in this case, faith in