Who Is The Dragon In Beowulf
Beowulf The Old English poem, Beowulf, is arguably the first writings that highlights the battle between man and dragon and portray a Scandinavian warrior who is destine to rule a kingdom. The age-old question of fighting for glory or fighting for riches is tested, as the story begins with a young warrior who battles his way to become king and in the end give his life for his kingdom. After a successful reign as king, the story leads the hero to a final battle with the fantastic dragon. The question, that has been put before the readers is one of motive for Beowulf’s battle of the dragon. It has been put upon us to decide if Beowulf was fighting the dragon for personal glory or for the protection and safety of his kingdom. In this writer’s
…show more content…
“I’ve 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.” Line 2511-2515 Page 103 It is true that Beowulf considers the glory and the spoils to the victor are the goals, but he relies on his old youthful ways of preparing for a fight. Still, Beowulf, however he chooses to prepare, realizes he is older and perhaps not as ready to battle. “The noble prince would end his days on earth, soon. Would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon.” Line 2341-2342 Page 97 Although, he see the spoils of the battle, for Beowulf it is simply a mechanism to do battle. Beowulf is simply gearing up, posturing if you will, and using his old ways to conjure up the strength, that he knows his is lacking, to defeat the dragon. In the end, the hero’s life will come to end and to give his life, slaying the dragon, in an effort to protect his kingdom, pales in comparison to the riches of the dragon’s lair and is the most courageous and noble of
“I’ve 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.” Line 2511-2515 Page 103 It is true that Beowulf considers the glory and the spoils to the victor are the goals, but he relies on his old youthful ways of preparing for a fight. Still, Beowulf, however he chooses to prepare, realizes he is older and perhaps not as ready to battle. “The noble prince would end his days on earth, soon. Would leave this brief life, but would take the dragon.” Line 2341-2342 Page 97 Although, he see the spoils of the battle, for Beowulf it is simply a mechanism to do battle. Beowulf is simply gearing up, posturing if you will, and using his old ways to conjure up the strength, that he knows his is lacking, to defeat the dragon. In the end, the hero’s life will come to end and to give his life, slaying the dragon, in an effort to protect his kingdom, pales in comparison to the riches of the dragon’s lair and is the most courageous and noble of