Theme: Loyalty

The theme of loyalty is a common thread to most epics, but in Beowulf and The Odyssey the thread is of uncanny distinction. Beowulf commands the utmost of respect from his men, and does Odysseus, for the exact same reason: their battle prowess and their honour as men. Odysseus manages to maintain the unwavering loyalty of his men all through the epic, the only exception being the release of Aeolus' winds, which later seems to strengthen the bonds that tie Odysseus to his soldiers.

With Beowulf and his fourteen thanes, it is through automatic respect as a legendary warrior of unparallelled skill, valor, paired with high intellect and wisdom. Not only do the elders of the court of the Geats respect and value him highly, but the kings and nobles of distant nations know of and honor Beowulf as well.

Loyalty to Odysseus is expressed often as both concern and fact, but by Odysseus' words, "...my faithful men at once removed the wax that shut their ears. They freed me from the mast," (The Odyssey243) he shows that he has pure trust for his soldiers. The context in which the phrase, "at once," is used, solidifies and proves this theory.

In the case of Beowulf, "The Geat people built a pyre for Beowulf, stacked and decked it until it stood four-sqaure, hung with helmets, heavy war-shields and shing armour, just as he had ordered. Then his warriors laid him in the middle of it, mourning a lord far-famed and beloved. On a height they kindled the hugest of all funderal fires; fumes of woodsmoke billowed darkly up, the blaze roared and rowned out their weeping, wind died down and flames wrought havoc in the hot bone-house, burning it to the core. They were disconsolate and wailed aloud for their lord's decease... Then the Geat people began to construct a mound on a headland, high and imposing, a marker that sailors could see from far away, and in ten days they had done the work. It was their hero's memorial; what remained from the fire they housed inside it, behind a wall as worthy of him as their workmanship could make it. And they buried torques in the barrow, and jewels and a trove of such things as trespassing men had once dared to drag from the hoard... Then twelve warriors rode around the tomb, chieftain's sons, champions in battle, all of them distraught, chanting in dirges, mourning his loss as a man and a king. They extolled his heroic nature and exploits and gave thanks for his greatness; which was the proper thing, for a man should praise a prince whom he holds dear and cherish his memory when that moment comes when he has to be convoyed from his bodily home. They said that of all the kings upon the earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame." (Beowulf 213)

A rather long quote I realize, but it explains in exact terms the depth of the Geat's loyalty to their king, Beowulf.

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