Beowulf Attacks the Dragon Essay -- English Literature Essays

Beowulf Attacks the Dragon.Beowulf makes his final boast. He says that, heretofore though he is old, he shall still seek battle, perform a deed of fame by killing the dragon. (Norton59) He doesnt know how to grapple with the dragon, resembling he did with Grendel, so he will use a go overbrand and epidermis. He tells his men that the out produce will be with us at the wall as component part allots, the ruler of every man. (59) He tells them to allow him fight the monster alone, By my courage I will demoralise gold, or war will take your king, dire life-evil. (60) *These three quotations paint a picture pagan elements of glory, not Christian.* eowulf approaches the barrow. From the stone arch, he feels the dragons fire emanating from within. He shouts at the dragon. The dragon knows he is there and breathes fire. Beowulf hits the dragon with his shield and draws his sword, the old heirloom. (60) The dragon comes forward, hastening to his fate, (60) and breathes fire, but Beowulf is protected by his iron shield. But, for the first-class honours degree time, the first day in his life, he might not prevail, since fate did not assign him such glory in battle. (60) Beowulf strikes the dragon so hard with his sword, that the edge failed. (60) The war blade had failed, naked at need, as it ought not to have done, iron good from old times. (60) *The sword is prone living qualities* The poet reminds the pick uper that every man must give up the days that are lent him (60), an elegaic theme that runs throughout the poem. Beowulf and the dragon come together again. The dragon breathes fire again and, for the first time in the poem, he who before had ruled a folk felt raspy pain. (60) Meanwhile his men flee to the woods, except for one. Wiglaf, s... ... writes a draughtsman a writer for another especially, an offical or public writer an amanuensis or secretary a notary a copyist. 2. (Jewish Hist.) A writer and make of the law one skilled in the l aw and traditions one who read and explained the law to the people. The most famous Old English scribe was a monk named Bede Scylfing 1 the member of a Swedish cerebrate British Library Board www.bl.uk Pace University Grendel Site csis.pace.edu/grendel Beowulf Site www.lone-star.net/ literary works/beowulf/index.html Beowulf Book www.alcyone.com/max/lit/beowulf Bibliography Dictionary Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary1913, C. & G. Merriam Co. profits http//www.dictionary.com Text Source Beowulf The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Sixth Edition. Vol. 1. Ed. M.H. Abrams. New York Norton 1993