Beowulf LRJ #3

Pride and glory are often values of a warrior, and this is the case in Beowulf. Beowulf was a very proud man and was not one to ask for help. "This fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me to measure his strength against the monster or to prove his worth" (Heaney 2532-2535). This is an example of Beowulf being too proud to ask for help, even when it later becomes needed. Pride is a value, not just important to Beowulf, but also to the rest of society. The warrior who helped Beowulf battle the dragon said, "I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver's body than go back home bearing arms" (Heaney 2651-2653). His image would have been hurt had he gone back to the people having let Beowulf die, and all the while standing there watching and being armed. This shows how the society valued pride and their image as warriors. Glory is the other prominent value. Glory was important to Beowulf as well as the other warriors. Glory was used to honor people in many situations, Beowulf's victories and the bravery of other soldiers. "He picked us out from the army deliberately, honoured us and judged us fit for this action, made me these lavish gifts -- and all because he considered us the best of his arms-bearing thanes" (Heaney 2638-2342). As well as something occuring after the heroic act, glory is also present as motivation. "Inspired again by the thought of glory, the war-king threw his whole strength behind a sword-stroke" (Heaney 2678-2679). This was Beowulf's last attempt at glory by trying to kill the dragon even after he was mortally wounded.

The battle with the fire-breathing dragon is different than the rest of Beowulf in many ways. For one, Beowulf was fighting a dragon instead of a creature like Grendel and Grendel's mother. Also, "That final day was the first time when Beowulf fought and fate denied him glory in battle" (Heaney 2573-2575). Beowulf was not used to not winning and "his mind was in turmoil, unaccustomed anxiety and gloom confused his brain" (Heaney 2331-2333) because "his own home, the best of the buildings, had been burnt to a cinder" (Heaney 2325-2326). This creates a sense of vulnerability that has never been present before. This final section of Beowulf gives Beowulf human qualities that the reader never knew he possessed and this is significantly different than the rest of the story. It is the first time the reader experiences Beowulf feeling emotion and being mortal.

Although the battle with the dragon brings the death of Beowulf, it is an honorable and fitting end for a hero. He died in battle, a very important thing for a warrior. Beowulf was determined to give it his all. Before setting off he said, "I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away" (Heaney 2535-2537), and he did just that. Beowulf's death was also honorable because even after he was wounded and knew he was dying, he never gave up. "Once again the king gathered his strength and drew a stabbing knife... He stuck it deep into the dragon's flank. Beowulf dealt it a deadly wound" (Heaney 2702-2705). This is just one example of Beowulf's strength and determination because even though he was dying he still managed to kill the dragon. That last display of courage is why Beowulf's death was a fitting end for a hero.