Literary Analysis Essay On Beowulf

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In the epic poem Beowulf, the hero of the story takes part in three major battles with three different mythological monsters that threaten the people. Beowulf first battles with Grendel, a swamp-monster that continually attacks the city of Heorot, Grendel’s mother, an even more powerful monster of the same kind, and in his old age, a dragon that threatens his kingdom. These battles contain elements of the supernatural, and show the constant deterioration of Beowulf’s power and prowess. Beowulf’s first battle with the monster Grendel, began after the fiend attacked the city of Heorot. Grendel burst into the mead hall, and ate a guard. Grendel reached for Beowulf but Beowulf caught his arm, with more strength than Grendel could have imagined. Grendel tried to flee but Beowulf wrestled him to the ground and eventually tore his arm off, fatally wounding the monster. Grendel ran away to his home in the swamps before dying by bleeding out. Beowulf hung the arm as a trophy of triumph in the hall, and the city rejoiced. This battle shows Beowulf’s supernatural and brute strength, and his initial disposition to help those in need. Beowulf showed that he was capable of destroying a terrible being, so his …show more content…

Beowulf was in his old age and ruler of the Geats. The dragon was enraged after a thief stole a gem-covered goblet from his lair. The dragon attacked Beowulf’s kingdom, and being prideful as he is, decided to fight the dragon alone. He had a shield forged to help him withstand the flames of the dragon. During the battle, Beowulf is bitten by the dragon, infecting him with it’s venom. Beowulf fights back, and stabs the dragon in it’s underbelly, killing it. In knowing he will die, Beowulf had told Wiglaf to take over the kingdom and to have his funeral along the coast. This battle shows Beowulf’s hubris and his vanity and wanting the treasure for himself. His supernatural strength and good intentions had

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