Beowulf Attacks the Dragon.
Beowulf makes his final boast. He says that, even though he is old, he shall “still seek battle, perform a deed of fame” by killing the dragon. (Norton59)
He doesn't know how to grapple with the dragon, like he did with Grendel, so he will use a sword and shield. He tells his men that the outcome will be “with us at the wall as fate allots, the ruler of every man.” (59)
He tells them to let him fight the monster alone, “By my courage I will get gold, or war will take your king, dire life-evil.” (60)
*These three quotations indicate pagan elements of glory, not Christian.*
eowulf approaches the barrow. From the stone arch, he feels the dragon’s fire emanating from within. He shouts at the dragon. The dragon knows he is there and breathes fire. Beowulf hits the dragon with his shield and draws his sword, “the old heirloom.” (60)
The dragon comes forward, “hastening to his fate,” (60) and breathes fire, but Beowulf is protected by his iron shield. But, “for the first time, the first day in his life, he might not prevail, since fate did not assign him such glory in battle.” (60)
Beowulf strikes the dragon so hard with his sword, that the “edge failed.” (60) The “war blade had failed, naked at need, as it ought not to have done, iron good from old times.” (60)
*The sword is given living qualities*
The poet reminds the reader that “every man must give up the days that are lent him” (60), an elegaic theme that runs throughout the poem. Beowulf and the dragon come together again. The dragon breathes fire again and, for the first time in the poem, “he who before had ruled a folk felt harsh pain.” (60)
Meanwhile his men flee to the woods, except for one. Wiglaf, s...
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... writes; a draughtsman; a writer for another; especially, an offical or public writer; an amanuensis or secretary; a notary; a copyist. 2. (Jewish Hist.) A writer and doctor of the law; one skilled in the law and traditions; one who read and explained the law to the people.
The most famous Old English scribe was a monk named Bede
Scylfing: 1: the member of a Swedish
Links:
British Library Board: www.bl.uk
Pace University Grendel Site: csis.pace.edu/grendel
Beowulf Site: www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/index.html
Beowulf Book: www.alcyone.com/max/lit/beowulf
Bibliography:
Dictionary: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary1913, C. & G. Merriam Co. Internet: http://www.dictionary.com
Text Source: "Beowulf" The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Sixth Edition. Vol. 1. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York: Norton 1993
While fighting the Dragon Beowulf shows feats of strength and courage that define him as a hero. The classical hero displays a special quality that separates him from the rest of
After fighting and winning many battles, Beowulf's life enters a new stage when he finally becomes king of his homeland, Geatland. Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon. For fifty years he has governed his kingdom well. While Beowulf is governing, the dragon "...kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow" (Norton 55). Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one had disturbed the dragon’s kingdom until one day when a thief broke into the treasure, laid hand on a cup fretted with gold, which infuriated the dragon. "The fiery dragon had destroyed the people's stronghold, the land along the sea, the heart of the country" (Norton 57).
When Beowulf finds out about his home being destroyed, he decides that he is going to kill the dragon himself. Although Beowulf is very old at this point, he still has the confidence to slay the dragon. Beowulf has been king for fifty years, and he knows that all of his experiences in battle is enough for him to defeat the dragon.
Beowulf consistently displays extreme confidence throughout the poem. As the story progress, Beowulf’s confidence remains the same. When anticipating his battle with the dragon, Beowulf evaluates himself, “I have never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me” (606-610). While evaluating the possible outcomes of the battle, the King reassures his people, “no one else could do what I mean to , here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster. No one could try. And the dragon’s treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death” (624-632). His determination and confidence are made
...rcía Márquez concentrates on the idea that the animals incorporated into the work are portrayed to highlight the degradation of Santiago Nasar and the nature of his murder.
...slaying Grendel’s family and a dragon. Needed by the Geats and the Danes, Beowulf is central to the poem, however it is impossible for him not to be an outsider when he is superior to every single character in every single aspect.
In contrast, Beowulf is seen as a hero, even when exemplifying the violent and dangerous qualities the dragon is feared for. Anglo-Saxon society prized loyalty, personal valor, and fame. In order to be a hero, one must recognize the need to act, and not shy away from it. The dragon, based on that definition, embodies the Anglo-Saxon idea of a hero: it is loyal to its cause, it is a good warrior, and it recognizes the need to act. It even has a sense of justice and a sense of wrong, shown by the way it reacted to the theft of the chalice. The dragon becomes vengeful and defensive, using cruelty as a means to correct the wrong. Described as “the guardian of the mound” (2302), the dragon’s intent is identical to Beowulf’s. Beowulf is seen as a hero not only because of his actions, but because he is human. The only thing that makes the dragon different is its inhuman qualities, and therefore it is a monster, a “ground-burner” (2713). Heroism in Anglo-Saxon society is a concept embodied by warriors and guardians, who would vie to be the most well-known. Heroism, to the Anglo-Saxons, is an excuse to use cruelty as a way to further one’s fame. It is a social crutch of sorts, leaned on for the vain chance to be immortal. When Beowulf agrees to fight the dragon, it is to have a heroic death, so he may be remembered. In the battle, just as with Grendel and Grendel’s mother,
This final battle proves to be the most difficult for Beowulf; he is pushed to the brink, but, “inspired again by the thought of glory”, he musters just enough strength to strike down the dragon (Heaney 19). This language proposes that Beowulf’s chief motive for fighting the dragon is “the thought of glory”. Additionally, this depicts Beowulf as selfish, as he seemingly neglects his people. Niles opposes this viewpoint, stating that “nothing suggests that the king enters [the fight] as a way of winning personal glory”(Niles 94). Rather than for solely personal gain, Niles correctly asserts that Beowulf is focused on saving his people, as that is his first duty as an Anglo Saxon king. However, Beowulf accomplishes this very goal by carrying out his desire to uphold his heroic image. It was Beowulf’s own “thought of glory” that spurred his rally to kill off the dragon; in effect, Beowulf’s desire to preserve his image saved his people. Even though the narrator uses the story of the dragon to emphasize Beowulf’s greediness and lust for glory, it is the outcome of the fight reveals the true reason for Beowulf’s bravery. By striving to retain his honorous reputation, Beowulf simultaneously protects his people, effectively fulfilling his role as king as both a servant and an esteemed
Then 50 years later an event occurs that undoubtedly classifies Beowulf as a hero. A dragon attacks Beowulf’s kingdom and his terrorizing his people. Rather than send warriors to fight the dragon, Beowulf goes himself to fight the dragon. Taking sword and shield he engages the beast in combat. However, Beowulf runs into complications with this beast, “the iron Shield, and for a time it held, protected Beowulf as he’d planned; then it began to melt.
Beowulf has a strong belief in fate. If he dies in battle he believes it’s because it is his destiny to do so. "Fate will unwind as it must!" He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. This is what makes Beowulf a true hero. Even after serving his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle in hopes, or fate, to destroy a dragon who is terrifying all of his people. At this point however, Beowu...
...the program was beneficial in improving the athlete’s confidence by enhancing his performance on the ice. His use of the new psychological tools presented afforded him the knowledge to refine his abilities on the ice in the areas of most concern to him.
...n the end Gatsby depicts all of these traits which are the reason why he faces such a tragic end. In the eyes of the narrator, Nick states, “Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men,” (2), which expresses what his perspective of Gatsby was. It is never suspected that one must face death so abruptly but everything happens for a reason. Gatsby’s traits are illuminated throughout all of his reactions towards the incidents he faces, the statements he makes and the developments he undergoes through the course of the novel. Even though he made his living by participating in immoral things, Gatsby did have good intentions. But in the end he confronted consequences he, himself, had never anticipated.
The last battle in Beowulf was against the fierce dragon that could also be saw as the power of Satan. During this battle Beowulf chooses to use a weapon because of the dragon’s deadly venom, it would only be fair. It was a hard fight but Beowulf wasn’t capable of defeating the dragon. This battle could be compared to the will of Christ, in which Christ gave his life for the people, while Beowulf did the same. The dragon now represents the evil a man must fight in order to preserve the good in life. Although Beowulf was defeated, it was not shamelessly, just like Christ he saved the people. Beowulf had a good heart but was sometimes overturned by the bad influences in life. He represents the fact that everyone makes mistakes, you can’t be perfect all the time, everyone’s bound to lose.
... the east coast. For example, on the east coast, life has a more lively and chaotic feel compared to the midwest. This feeling of excitement portrays how Nick’s change of settings has caused a change of Nick’s morals. Throughout the story, his thirst for living the in the limelife, like Gatsby, increases which shines light on an ambitious side of Nick. Moreover, Nick’s transition from his obsolete life in the midwest, to the prosperity and havoc of the east coast described in this passage opens up an opportunistic view of the American Dream for Nick, and also sets an example of what he, one day, strives to be-- surrounded in grandeur. Additionally, Nick falls into an American Dream trance brought by Gatsby’s opulence; however, the pandemonium seen in the passage reveals a possible shady aspect to Gatsby’s compilation of resplendent material wealth and prosperity.
... page fifty-two allows the reader to understand Beowulf’s personality through the tale of another person who has similar destiny as Beowulf. By the end of the digression the reader should also understand more of what Beowulf’s personality is not like and how he will not fall to the same faith of many men of power. This digression also highlights respectable social values that every person, king or not, should have in their character. Multiply digressions throughout the poem warn against the evil affects power and greed can have on once honorable men.