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How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty In Lord Of The Flies

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How Does Beowulf Show Loyalty In Lord Of The Flies
While being written centuries apart, Beowulf and Lord of The Flies share a prevailing idea of loyalty. Beowulf, being king, is supported by his one loyal thane, Wiglaf. Ralph has his loyal friends, Piggy and Simon. The addition of a faithful companion by your side, means that you will never have to face hardships alone. They’ll never desert you in dangerous situations nor will they leave you for a more tempting offer. This sense of loyalty can be seen when Beowulf fights Grendel’s mother underwater. While he’s fighting, his men and the king's army watch as blood seeps to the surface. Believing it to be Beowulf’s death, the army sulked away while his men stood at the water’s edge, waiting for Beowulf to rise from the murky water. (Beowulf 65) . His men showed unmovable loyalty even when their leader was against all odds. Things begin to change however when Beowulf becomes King of the …show more content…
Piggy had always thought of Ralph as a friend, even when the feelings weren't mutual. No matter what Ralph said or did to him, Piggy always followed his orders. When Ralph fell into a state of depression, Piggy was at his side consoling him and reminding him of the big picture. Simon always looked for the good of the group and thus chose to stick with Ralph. His morals wouldn’t let him join the evil camp of Jack. Unlike Beowulf, Ralph had nothing to give to his companions. No gifts, no rewards, and certainly no food. On the other hand, the sadistic Jack ensured everyone's loyalty by providing fresh meat and protection from The Beast. These were all things Ralph lacked for his followers. But then why did Piggy and Simon not abandon Ralph in a heartbeat? It’s because they had a something everyone else lacked, intelligence. Piggy and Simon showed their loyalty to Ralph simply because he was a sane and just leader. Unlike Jack, who only craved for power and the display of
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