Through Beowulf's chivalry, generosity, friendship, and popularity, all of his kingdom and of others knew him for his heroism and loyalty. Through the epic, he becomes the perfect thane, and is represented and set as a glorified example. Those thanes that can not live up to his standard of excellence are degraded because they are not as noble as Beowulf himself. Beowulf's portrayal of loyalty in the epic story is indeed the theme of the ideal thane.