Beowulf battles three major foes throughout the course of
the epic poem of the same name: Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the dragon. When Beowulf
fights his first battle against Grendel, he is a young, haughty warrior who boasts of
his prowess and former daredevil deeds. Not only does he promise to slay Grendel, but he
also boasts that he will do so alone, and in hand-to-hand combat—without any weapons!
Later, Beowulf sleeps in Hrothgar’s mead hall, awaiting the monster. Traditionally,
Anglo-Saxon warriors slept in their armor, but Beowulf divests himself before going to
bed, once again boasting his abilities in a manner that is both admirable and
daring.
Fifty years later, a slumbering dragon
awakes to find his treasure is missing. The dragon soars over Geatland, unleashing his
fiery fury. The older, wiser Beowulf is now king, and takes his best men to accompany
him to the dragon’s lair, insisting they wait outside as he goes in to battle the beast
alone. Unlike his first battle, Beowulf is more cautious; he wears his armor and helmet
and takes his sword with him. Beowulf receives a mortal wound while attacking the
dragon, and one of the warriors, Wiglaf, comes to his aid. It is only with Wiglaf’s help
that Beowulf is able to defeat the dragon.
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