Over time Beowulf becomes of age and his kingdom encounters the dragon from the cave,
and it begins to obliterate his people. Beowulf, who is around 70 years old, decides to fight the
dragon with a metal shield that was developed in his armory. During the Anglo-Saxon period, the majority of soldiers had wooden shields because they did not have the money to purchase such
strong material.
Armor played a significant role throughout the Anglo-Saxon period. Beowulf’s chainmail
armor saves him numerous times including the fight with Grendel’s mother in the deadly mere.
Also, Beowulf tells the story of he and his friend Breca that have a swimming race with there
chainmail on. Obviously it’s impossible to do something like that because of the massive weight of
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The advancement of weapons in Beowulf greatly impacts how the story progresses. For
example, Beowulf is able to encounter a Giant’s sword and slay Grendel’s mother to stay alive.
Secondly, as time passes and the Geat warrior becomes of age, his kingdom is able to develop a
metal shield to protect himself from the flames of the fiery dragon. Also, Beowulf’s
The dragon seeks retribution for its stolen treasure. The monster goes to the nearest village, to kill and terrorize the people with its fiery breath. Beowulf hears what is happening in his kingdom, and that he has to help his people. He knows that he is old, but he is the only one brave enough to go against the dragon: “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” (2511-2515).
The final battle takes place fifty years after Beowulf defeats Grendel and his mother, and he is now an old king. Beneath
Beowulf faces the internal conflicts, self concern and betrayal, when he is much older and king. Even though he was much older he decided to battle a fire dragon because he was his people’s hero. Though Beowulf had helped so many people when he was young and strong, none of his comrades came to help him. Instead, they ran for their lives. “And only one of them remained, stood there, miserable, remembering as a good man must, what kinship should mean.” (Beowulf 43) Beowulf and his one comrade, Wiglaf, kill the dragon, but Beowulf is injured and soon dies. The last internal conflict Beowulf has before he dies is the betrayal of his people.
Sure enough though they reach the beach or land and a man is coming the towards them on a horse and wear boots with a spear. He continues to come at beowulf and his warriors in full speed on the horse then slows down and points his
Throughout the entirety of Beowulf, Beowulf goes from being a young, nimble warrior to being a hardened and respected King of his own kingdom. When Beowulf was younger in the first part of Beowulf he was sort of cocky in a way. He knew that he would always defeat whatever he was to be up against without any hesitation. He knew this because he would pray to God for guidance before every fight. At this point in Beowulf’s life, he was not noble in the sense of character. It was not until Beowulf grew older until he realized the hardships of living during the Anglo-Saxon era. Beowulf recognizes these hardships in the wake of the time jump of fifty years: “A lot was to happen in later days in the fury of battle. Hygelac fell and the shelter of Heardred’s shield proved useless against the fierce aggression of the Shylfings: ruthless swordsmen, seasoned campaigners, they came against him and his conquering nation, and with cruel force cut him down so that afterwards the wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf. He ruled it well for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land--,” (Beowulf, 77). During these fifty winters Beowulf sees the fall of a kingdom, and he rises in order to become the king of the very same kingdom that fell. Even now, Beowulf must defeat a dragon that has awoken near his kingdom. Going into the battle, Beowulf knows that he will not come out alive. Beowulf sacrifices himself in order to
When he struggles and struggles finally Beowulf strength is too much and Grendel’s arm is ripped from its socket. He knows his horrible fate which is to bleed to death in the horrid fen.Although soon after the She demon, Grendel's mother comes back for revenge. Beowulf is prepared and more ready then he’ll ever be.He defeats the She demon triumphantly and comes home strong with pride. Soon Beowulf becomes homesick and returns to his homeland of the Geats, he fights strongly with his uncle until he dies, Beowulf is asked to be the king of the Geats but kindly declines. It is only when Heardred, Beowulf cousin dies that he accepts the position of king and rules wisely. Beowulf grows old and creates the golden age for the land but when the fire drake an evil monster who guards treasure burns down most of the land, Beowulf is ready for one last fight. Using the bees to sting it to death Beowulf and his companion Wiglaf face the beast and kill it. Beowulf's last battle is one to remember and shortly after Beowulf dies of old age but everyone knows that his spirit will live on and create peace for the land of the
Another example of weapons in Beowulf references to arms and armor, very accurate to the Anglo-Saxons’ traditional shields and weapons. “Then Hrothgar's thane leaped onto his horse and, brandishing a spear, galloped down to the shore; there, he asked at once: 'Warriors! Who are you, in your coats of mail, who have steered your tall ship over the sea-lanes to these shores? .... Never have warriors, carrying their shields, come to this country in a more open manner. Nor were you assured of my leader's approval, my kinsmen's consent. I've never set eyes on a more noble man, a warrior in armour, than one among your band; he's no mere retainer, so ennobled by his weapons.’... The boar crest, brightly gleaming, stood over their helmets: superbly tempered, plated with glowing gold, it guarded the lives of those grim warriors. ... Their byrnies were gleaming, the strong links of shining chain-mail chinked together. When the sea-stained travelers had reached the hall itself in their fearsome armour, they placed their broad shields (worked so skillfully) against Heorot's wall. Then they sat on a bench; the brave men's armour sang. The seafarer's gear stood all together, a grey tipped forest of ash spears; that armed troop was well equipped with weapons. .... in common we all share sword, helmet, byrnie, the trappings of war.” (Levick, 1)
Beowulf’s last test of courage comes in his old age when his people are threatened by a “mighty” dragon. Beowulf felt as if something he had done had caused the irascible beast to wreck havoc on his people, “killing and destroying” them and their homes with its “molten” breath. Knowing what had to be done, Beowulf bravely faced the dragon, while all of his people, except for one, fled in fear. His last battle, which ended in death, displayed Beowulf’s unwavering courage, the type that every hero should possess.
kingdom is threatened by a dragon. Beowulf challenges the dragon alone and he is mortally
Years after the battles with Grendel and his mother Beowulf has aged. He is now the king of the
The Battle Begins and the golden dragon is killed along with Beowulf, who caused himself to suffer the same fate as
Beowulf is full of a strong sense of the inevitable doom that no one can control. It is shown by when
After the defeat of Grendel and his mother, Beowulf returns home to the Geats. Heardred, his cousin, dies and Beowulf becomes King of the Geats. The reign of Beowulf lasts for 50 peaceful years until there is news of a dragon bringing terror to the Geats. At this point, Beowulf is an old man in a position a great power. As King, he could have easily chosen to order his army to defeat the dragon.
Years pass by, during which Beowulf becomes king of Geatland, before his third and final battle ensues. In this circumstance, it is a dragon that had to be defeated for his own peoples ' safety to be ensured in later years. Beowulf chose a special few from his court to assist him in the extermination of the dragon, though he did not expect to need their assistance. As Beowulf and his party approached the dragon 's lair, he bellowed an enormous roar to awaken the great ravager. The dragon, overcome with anger, swooped down upon and assaulted Beowulf. Beowulf fought with sword and shield in hand, the dragon with the flames spurting from his mouth. The longer the battle went on, the more apparent it seemed this would be Beowulf 's last moments upon the earth, the dragon seemed to be too much for that great man.
As well, as with the dragon that Beowulf ends up getting killed by while he was trying to protect the people of his village.