Loyalty and revenge sometimes go hand in hand in many chivalric stories such as Beowulf. To understand the connection you need to know the meaning of both themes. Loyalty means the strong feeling of support and faithfulness while revenge means enacting punishment for an injury or loss. When someone is loyal to another, they will sometimes do whatever it takes to help the person they are loyal to. An example of revenge, if a king is wronged, his loyal knights will right the wrong by punishing the one who wronged their king. Beowulf has the perfect setting of loyalty and revenge. There is no known author, but the emotion shown through the writing shows great adoration and awe towards Beowulf. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Beowulf is the story of a knight, hero, and later king named Beowulf. Beowulf is the son of Ecgtheow, brother-in-law of Hygelac and friend of Hrothgar. The reason he remained so loyal to these two rulers, Hrothgar and Hygelac, is because they had a close relationship with his father that was well known to many people. He would do anything for his family, his kingdom and his friends. “That country then saw Beowulf of the Scydlings. Famous among the people, beloved king. He ruled for many years: his father and lord. ” (page 2, line 52-55) Beowulf is the leader and ruler of the Spear-Danes and was loved by many people. He had an heir named Healfdene who was equally loved and led his people with great wisdom. Halfdane has three sons and a daughter who became queen of the Swedes. This shows that Beowulf is loved by the people. "The glory of the sword and his friendly kinsmen flocked to serve him until their band was large, a host of enthusiastic servants." (Lines 66-67) The soldiers followed Beowulf into even the most treacherous battles of their lives. They also followed him when Grendel became rampant and devastated the mead hall they had built for the Danish spearmen. Hrothgar was devastated, Grendel instilled so much fear and hatred that the mead hall remained empty for twelve years and the people turned to the Devil for help. "This feud of Grendel became known at home to the warrior of Hygelac, brave among the Geats... He himself had prepared a strong sea-ship and said he would visit the strong king beyond the Swan Way." (page 6, line 195-200) Hygelac, ruler of the Geats, finds out about Hrothgar and tells Beowulf about him; who in turn decided on a whim to help Hrothgar as soon as possible. Because of their connected relationship, he was willing to help Hrothgar as soon as possible and this shows loyalty. Even when Hrothgar discovers Beowulf's arrival, he considers the man a loyal friend. “I knew him when he was just a boy; his father was old, whatever his name was... It is in favor of the Holy God that he comes to visit us, he comes to the Danes, he comes for the horror of Grendel. (page 11, line 372-385) He meets with Beowulf and his fourteen strongest warriors. Beowulf promises to avenge Hrothgar and his people by defeating Grendel, which is an example of revenge as much as loyalty. Revenge plays a key role in Beowulf, it is the dark side of loyalty as the most loyal of subjects can do inexplicable things on their behalf. Gentleman. “Kinship ties meant that the relatives of a murdered person were obliged to avenge his death.” (Brittain Express website) Beowulf promised to avenge Hrothgar and the many who lost their lives. This is the first sign of revenge, although from our point of view we would naturally see it as a positive favor since they are mostly human. When Beowulf mutilated Grendel, Grendel's mother discovered him and was in a rage.