Importance of Loyalty in Early British Literature
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One of the most essential ties in any relationship is loyalty to one another. In early British Literature, true loyalty is shown when one is willing to sacrifice his life for the one whom he is bound to. This extreme loyalty is shown by two characters. In Beowulf, Wiglaf shows this form of loyalty to Beowulf, and in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" this loyalty is shown by Gawain to King Arthur. These characters demonstrate beautifully the importance of loyalty, for they are both willing to sacrifice themselves for their lord.
In Beowulf, Wiglaf puts his life in danger in the name of loyalty to Beowulf. When all of Beowulf's other followers leave, Wiglaf does not. Instead, he "stood there, miserable, remembering, as a good man must, what kinship should mean" (54). Therefore, it is evident that kinship means sacrifice. Even if one is dreadfully miserable and frightened, in order to be an honorable man you must uphold the values of kinship...