“Bravery, Honor, and Loyalty as Morals in Beowulf”

As a work of art, it serves its purpose of moral instruction, and it is now used to demonstrate what
values were important to the Anglo-Saxon people. The poem Beowulf, particularly through the
characters of Beowulf and Wiglaf, exemplifies three important morals of the time: bravery, honor, and
loyalty. Beowulf, the poem's hero, acts with great bravery in everything he does. Beowulf "took off the
helmet and handed his attendant / the patterned sword" (672-673), deciding that using a weapon or any
kind of protection would make the battle too easy. Shortly after, he boasts, "When it comes to fighting, I
count myself / as dangerous as Grendel any day" (677-678). These reckless and impressive actions
highlight Beowulf's courage and daring, making him appear more heroic. Over fifty years later, Beowulf
demonstrates the same qualities when fighting the dragon, as does Wiglaf, who aids him and refuses to
give up even though "flames lapped the shield, / charred it to the boss, and the body armor / on the
young warrior was useless to him." Neither man was prevented by a lack of defense because they both
displayed heroic bravery.

Beowulf, the story's great and glorified hero, also demonstrates honor. He explains that his opponent
"has no idea the arts of war, / or shield or swordplay" when he throws away his armor and sword before
leaving for his fight with Grendel. As a result, he decides that "no weapons, therefore, / for either this
night" will be used. A kill does not bring satisfaction unless it is fair, according to the morals of the time.
Meanwhile, Grendel, the poem's malevolent antagonist, demonstrates a lack of honor when the epic
states, "he grabbed thirty men / from their resting places." Grendel's act of attacking men in their sleep
when they are unable to defend themselves demonstrates Grendel's moral inferiority. Wiglaf later
demonstrates honor in his own way by refusing to surrender in battle, saying, "A warrior will sooner /
die than live a life of shame." Retreating would be shameful and thus dishonorable, which a good man
like Wiglaf would not accept. Many of his fellow soldiers, on the other hand, did not, and at Beowulf's
funeral, Wiglaf mocked them, saying, "I would rather my body were robed in the same / burning blaze
as my gold-body giver's / than go back home bearing arms." Wiglaf demonstrates that he is the better
man because he has honor, whereas the others, who willingly neglected their King in battle, clearly do
not.

Finally, both Beowulf and Wiglaf exhibit exceptional loyalty throughout the piece. All of Beowulf's
actions, beginning with his decision to aid the Danes, are clearly motivated by loyalty. Beowulf's father
once started a feud, which Hrothgar assisted in putting an end to. "Ecgtheow acknowledged me with
oaths of allegiance," Hrothgar recalls. Beowulf traveled with his men to fight a fearsome monster, not
for glory, but to assist his father in repaying his debt. Many years later, Wiglaf demonstrates his
devotion and loyalty to his king Beowulf by accompanying him into the fray when no one else does,
promising, "I shall stand by you." In the end, Wiglaf's loyalty reveals his bravery, proving him to be
exactly who he claims to be. Beowulf's character clearly embodies these traits, but Wiglaf, a relatively
minor character, does as well. Finally, his morals save the day when he demonstrates all three
simultaneously by leaping to Beowulf's aid while fighting the dragon. These men, taken together,
represent the moral ideal in early Anglo-Saxon culture.