Comparing Loyalty In Beowulf 'And The Hobbit'

Loyalty Loyalty is defined as a feeling of strong support and allegiance for someone or something In the unknown author’s epic poem “Beowulf” and in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel The Hobbit both forms of loyalty are significantly represented. “Beowulf” tells the story of Beowulf, a Geatish warrior, who comes to the aid of the King of the Danes, whose kingdom is being terrorized by a monster, which leads to Beowulf battling other monsters who want vengeance. The Hobbit portrays a tale about a hobbit, Bilbo, who is chosen along with a group of thirteen dwarfs to complete an embarking quest to reclaim their treasure. During both of their embarking adventures, Beowulf and Bilbo demonstrate different meanings of loyalty while receiving devotion
Loyalty is his virtue throughout every battle he fights in. According to Marie Lazzari, “the loyalty within the war band was at the heart of Anglo-Saxon social organization” which exemplifies Beowulf’s Anglo Saxon ancestry. In the past, Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, had needed assistance and Hrothgar had come to his aid. Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar, because he feels devoted to the king due to what happened with his father. This set the stage for the loyalty Beowulf feels. Hrothgar says, ''Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because Of the reception your father found at our court.'' (38-39) and shows Beowulf is aiming to do the same. It is crucial to him to do everything in his power and to devote himself to Hrothgar. Beowulf first shows his loyalty to Hrothgar when he agrees to help him rid the castle of the monster, Grendel, who has been terrorizing the mead hall for the past twelve years. Beowulf intends to defeat Grendel,
The plot of the story, The Dwarves quest to reclaim their homeland, happens because Thorin is loyal to his forefathers and feels obligated to find their long-forgotten gold, as well as restore honor to Thorin and his descendant’s name. Bilbo is also included in the company because the Dwarves are loyal to Gandalf, and trust Gandalf. Bilbo shows loyalty towards the Dwarves throughout the novel by putting himself in dangerous situations to help or save the Dwarves, such as saving them from the spiders in Mirkwood, or freeing them from the Elvish prison. Bilbo's display of loyalty and heroism causes the Dwarves to show a sense of greater devotion as the story progresses. The ending of the novel shows a form of disloyalty of the Hobbits of the Shire towards Bilbo. Bilbo's friends and relatives declared Bilbo dead, auctioned off his valued items, and later try to distance themselves from the Hobbit because they believe he has changed. Bilbo's friends and relatives from the beginning of the novel being disloyal at the end act as a contrast to the Dwarves being loyal to Bilbo at the