In Beowulf, a wide variety of aspects are portrayed but only one of them captivates the reader the most: Beowulf’s battles between Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon. They all share similarities and differences and each of the opponents symbolize different things. Firstly, all three of Beowulf’s battles are similar in some way. For example, in battles one and two Beowulf fights Grendel in one form or another. The first time it is Grendel and the second time it is Grendel’s mother. Another good example has to do with the fact that in battles one and two, Beowulf cannot use mortal weapons to defeat his enemies. In Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, Beowulf uses his bare hands. He conquers the fight with Grendel’s mother by using a sword …show more content…
For instance, these battles are not fought for the same reason. Overall Beowulf fights for glory throughout the epic poem, but there are specific reasons when it comes down to the three battles. First and foremost, Beowulf fights Grendel to protect the people of Heorot. Secondly, he fights Grendel’s mother because instead of grieving over the loss of Grendel, she goes to Heorot for revenge. Lastly, Beowulf fights the dragon because not only does he want to protect his people but he also wants to gain the treasure the dragon so fiercely guards. Perhaps the most compelling difference might be the fact that Beowulf fights the last battle with Wiglaf, instead of by himself. Unlike the rest of Beowulf’s men, Wiglaf stays with Beowulf as he remembers the loyalty, trust, and generosity that Beowulf constantly shows to his men. In this battle, Beowulf does fight the dragon but towards the end Wiglaf step in and aids Beowulf. Each of these reasons shows the differences between the battles. Even though the differences and similarities between Beowulf’s battles are rather interesting and abundant, they are not the only things that should receive all the attention. The symbolism of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon are just as
In Beowulf there are three archetypal types of monsters. Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and The Dragon. Each one of the monsters symbolized a factor of Beowulf’s life. Grendel represents the sin in a man’s life. Grendel’s mother represents evil of the people in the anglo-saxon age.
To further the reasoning that Beowulf's life is all about winning is that after he killed Grendel, he goes to try to kill Grendel's mother. Beowulf wanted power, that's why he always loved to win. If he could kill Grendel's mother, he could have power over
The first battle shows Beowulf’s incredible strength, he wins this battle by cutting off Grendel’s arm. Next is the second battle which is against Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother is defeated by a sword that is in the hands of Beowulf. Lastly, the third battle is when Beowulf is the King and also very old. During the last battle, Beowulf takes the victory however he is wounded and dies.
Beowulf’s Motivations (An Understanding of the motivations of Beowulf to Fight the Three Monsters) Every human being has a certain code with which they follow, most are outlined by the Anglo-Saxon, better known as Viking, code. This code itself was depicted through the epic poem known as, “Beowulf,” and more importantly, Beowulf’s motivations. His first motivation for fighting Grendel, is because he believes it is his duty to fight the monster. Secondly, Beowulf believes that fighting Grendel’s mother would help him in receive glory.
The fight with Grendel’s mother is much more violent than the fight with Grendel, for she is stronger than the previous enemy, so Beowulf changes his battle tactics to compensate for her
The dynamic between the two works shifted from a singular conflict (Beowulf and Unferth) into a group one (Beowulf’s men and Unferth’s men). This also happened at the “Battle with Grendel” scene. In the poem, Beowulf single (and bare) handedly “killed Grendel, ending the grief, the sorrow, the suffering forced on Hrothgar’s helpless people”. Yet, in the movie “The 13th Warrior”, it wasn’t a single entity that had to be defeated, but rather an it was an entire village of raiders who were harassing Hrothgar’s people, and Beowulf required the assistance of the community and his men in order to defeat the
No one could try.” Beowulf is showing his strength and bravery that he can try to defeat the dragon. His motivation and goal in this battle is take the treasure back to his people. In lines 802-805, “ for this, this gold, these jewels, I thank our father in heaven, Ruler of the Earth for all of this, that his grace has given me, allowed me to bring to my people while breath still came to my lips.” In conclusion, Beowulf’s faith and confidence changes when he fights these three characters and these signify changes means Beowulf is getting old which means he didn’t have the same strength as he had during the fight with
Fighter of dragons and other magical creatures alike, the story of Beowulf is often, at times, considered to not be an epic by some people. However, there are those who believe that the story is in fact an epic. A story including Prelude and forty-one chapters, the story does follow all of the characteristics of an epic. Beowulf focuses mainly on the exploits of a hero, takes place in a vast setting, and contains superhuman feats including strength and military prowess. Most epics have focused on the exploits of a hero or, a demi-god.
In the epic poem Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, faces three “monsters” at different times in his life. The poem begins with Grendel, a monster who attacks only in the dark of night, tormenting the kingdom of Hrothgar. The last two sections of the epic detail the conquering by Beowulf of Grendel’s mother and the dragon. The battle between the monsters and Beowulf represent the theme of good versus evil in the poem, as well as the fusion of pagan and Christian ideals in the changing Germanic society. Grendel’s mother’s actions directly juxtapose the role of a woman in this time period, and the greediness of the dragon with his treasure contrasts with the virtues of what would be considered a good king.
His loyalty could be supernatural, relating to his unknown supernatural powers. Therefore, Beowulf tries to prove himself a hero through his three conflictual battles; the Battle with Grendel, the Battle with Grendel's mother, and the final battle with the Dragon. Beowulf proved himself a hero in the Battle with Grendel by showing immense strength. He was so confident in himself that he said, “Why would I let my sword go where my feet are afraid to,”(170); therefore, he was courageous enough to fight the powerful monster with his bare hands.
Beowulf was a titan when it came to fighting. He did everything in his will to win. When he fought it was like watching a lion walking through the forest. The pride he showed while fighting was outstanding. Fighting a battle or creature didn’t stop Beowulf from doing him.
Beowulf risked his life multiple times by battling Grendel and Grendel’s mother to save the people of Denmark. He also embarks on a battle with a dragon as an old man ascending on the Geats Throne. Each battle Beowulf fought has all been for the safety of his people. Although the Knight did not battle as a deed for his people, he also is viewed as a humble person his battles were for a purpose greater than himself. The knight never talks about his brave and valorous deeds.
The first and foremost is against the monster, Grendel in Denmark. Beowulf’s call to action was the news of Grendel’s destruction. In the same light, the second journey is against Grendel’s mother with her trying to avenger her son’s death. After entering the lake, Beowulf has some struggles, but finds a precious sword to help defeat her. The best and final journey is when Beowulf is older against the dragon, where he eventually meets his death.
Have you ever heard of the story Beowulf? If not, then I will be telling you the different scenarios that occurred in the movie and the book. Beowulf is about a heroic fellow who saves a kingdom from a magical named Grendel. He went through numerous of battles between Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. In this essay I will be discussing the different event that happened in the story and the movie.
In the poem Beowulf, there is a contrast between good and evil. This distinction is presented through the monsters Grendel and his mother, in parallel to the hero Beowulf. The themes of evil and monstrosity are therefore used in the story, as a way to create the notion of Grendel and his mother as monsters. Beowulf therefore appears as a character representing good. Although Beowulf shows traits of abnormal power, like Grendel and his mother, his motifs are interpreted differently.