Thesis: In his epic conquest to achieve recognition, Beowulf exhibits loyalty through many Christ-like acts like defeating three vile and desolate monsters, and eventually returning glory to his father.Beowulf has many admirable characteristics that portray what is found in the Christian religion. What makes his personality so adhesive is not only the desire he has for fame, but also the actions and responsibilities that he obtains. Besides doing this for the reputation that he beholds and openly boasts about, he has deeper roots which are tied to the favor that his father once received.
Being from the family that he descended from, he is obligated by blood to follow in his fathers footsteps, which can equate to picking up where his father left off. His loyalty to his diseased father remains strong and he knew that a favor of that which his father received needed to be compensated for. This feature that is found in Beowulf shows that a warrior is the best when he can lower himself to the position of a servant and induce closure for his adopted bearings.Beowulf is someone who is admirable in multiple ways, but one of the ways that he stands out from the crowd is the courage that supports him in all that he does; which is potentially the hardest trait because in his last situation, he knows his courage will support a fatal decision.
But due to his moral strength, Beowulf has the canning ability to look beyond himself and everything that he has achieved for the future of other people. This noble act in itself should be recognized in multiple prospectives. He has already brought much fame and fortune to his father and people’s, and knowing that the end of his life is not far from the horizon, he appreciates that the most inspirational and noble way to go is by once again returning to a friendly land and slaying the dragon. The characteristic idea of loyalty surrounds being put in front of the people for their benefit, and absorbing any repercussions; because it is your duty, your obligation.
One of the reasons why we look at Beowulf as a hero, revolves around his practical sense to stick with what he says he will do. To the pagans, there is a destiny waiting for everyone, and death isn’t a fret due to the fact that fame will be brought from it. “For every one of us, living in this world/ means waiting for our end. Let whoever can/ win glory before death.
When a warrior is gone,/ that will be his best and only bulwark.” (lines 1384-1389) Being extraordinarily faithful is an ideal that derives from either having faith in yourself, or having faith in others. Even when Beowulf goes to the lake to fight Grendels mother and all of his men ran away, he had the strength to be confident and keep faith in his abilities against the beast. The key factor that separates Beowulf from the rest of the people isn’t necessarily his bodily strength, but the independence in loyalty that holds him to his bonds.
