Beowulf is considered the first great work in Anglo-Saxon literature. Written in the form of a heroic poem, it tells of the heroic Beowulf, who has the form of what it means to be a man, both in Anglo-Saxon times and in modern times. But the concepts of heroism and masculinity are not the focus of this paper, per se. But this paper will examine the three battles that Beowulf fights in the course of his adulthood, and the impact they have on how the poem is viewed as a whole.
Beowulf’s first battle is his fight against the monster Grendel. At the beginning of the poem, Hrothgar, king of Denmark, is enjoying a prosperous kingdom. To celebrate this achievement, he built a great temple called Heorot. It is a meeting place for himself and his soldiers, where they can drink and mingle with the good and the bad. Unfortunately, the party atmosphere is disturbed by the monster Grendel, who lives in the swamps of King Hrothgar’s kingdom. Grendel decided to terrorize the Danes by slaughtering them on a regular basis. This goes on for many years until the story of Beowulf. He immediately sails to Denmark with a small handful of men, determined to end Grendel’s reign of terror.
When King Hrothgar learned of this, he and his men intended to kill Grendel. The king, with his soldiers and the whole court, rejoiced that Beowulf, sent by a higher power, had put an end to his misery. Beowulf, indeed, lies by no means unarmed, awaiting the arrival of Grendel. Just like clockwork, Grendel late that night appears intent on killing Dan. At first Grendel is able to kill a few Danes. But when he tries to kill Beowulf, he is the one who is more wounded than Beowulf: “He took a terrible / mortal wound; a huge wound / showed his shoulder, and the nerves cracked, and the bones were stiff” (Beowulf., Episode 12). Beowulf is clearly victorious with his men, leaving Grendel alone and nursing his wounds. It is not actually clear if he is dead, but the meaning is implied.
This first battle is clear, without being a mere example of bravery in a young warrior. Beowulf confronts Grendel with little show of fear, and it is most likely that this lack of fear allowed him to have the upper hand against Grendel. But there is another reason for this first battle: the concept of good versus evil. This idea is a running theme throughout the story, like both the ultimate fighting between Beowulf – Good – and the monster – Evil.
This battle is repeated by the second when Grendel’s mother seeks revenge. As mentioned earlier, there is absolutely no initial testimony that Grendel died. However, one can assume that the appearance of revenge is more than enough proof to convince the reader that Grendel is permanently out of commission. In response to her son’s death, Grendel’s mother goes to Heorot and kills Aescher, one of King Hrothgar’s most trusted advisers.
Of course, his murder must be avenged. Again, Beowulf is left as a hero. The men go with him to the swamp where Grendel’s mother lives. When Beowulf arrives, he is the only one who jumps into the water and fights with it in the underground beds. His weapon of choice is a sword made to resemble a giant rather than a man of his size. Grendel stumbles upon this slain corpse. He uses the same sword to slay the dead monster, bringing the head back to King Hrothgar as a reward. Finally, the Danes can rest easy knowing both monsters are dead. Beowulf is now able to return to his home in Geatlandia, where he finally becomes king and successfully completes his fifty-first year.
It is time for King Clodius to see another monster, this time in the form of a dragon, come into view of the battle. The dragon becomes a problem after a thief disturbs the dragon in its bed. It is common knowledge that this dragon guards a huge treasure, and therefore everyone who tries to reach that treasure runs the risk of arousing the dragon’s wrath.
Disturbed by a common thief, he avenges himself by killing the fiery-breathing Dragon Geates. Beowulf must come to the rescue for the third and last time. However, unlike his encounters with Grendel and Grendel’s mother, Beowulf is no longer young. He is much older, and thus not as agile as he used to be. In fact, this major difference between the battle with the dragon and the battles with Grendel and his mother is that in this final battle Beowulf helps overcome the monster.
While fighting a dragon, Beowulf is bitten on the neck, and the deadly poison inside the dragon ends up killing him. However, he does not die until after he and Earl Wiglaf successfully slay the dragon. The great treasure of the dragon is given to Wiglaf to those who are worthy. Beowulf is put on a stake and burned, then the remains are buried with a huge treasure in a mound. overlooking the sea The heroic life of Beowulf is thus explicit. He dies while he lived – fighting badly.
The impact of the three battles is a very important poem. Most students who read this particular poem only see it as a story of heroism and courage. For them, Beowulf is the most important person. There is another way of looking at this song. In the three battles, as has been said, the struggle between good and evil is represented. The struggle between Cain and Abel is particularly represented. Since both were from the same parents, Abel was accepted by God, but Cain was not. Cain killed his brother in jealousy. The punishment was to be marked by God, and to be exterminated in an unknown land. Just as Cain was banished to an unknown land, so Grendel, his mother, and the dragon. For there are many examples in which it is suggested that Grendel and his mother were produced from Cain. In the end, however, all the monsters were overcome by their innate malice.
It is Beowulf who serves as a parallel to Abel. Like Abel, who is favored by God, as is evident from his deeds as a warrior and king. Therefore, his death in the battle against the ultimate monster – the dragon – is considered an honorable death, just like Abel’s honorable death. Both die serving God. Hence, Beowulf is not only a great epic poem, but also a great Christian allegory. When we notice that, the poem can be seen in its full light. It is no longer just a source of entertainment, but a way to show how to live the best life can be done – one that is full of honor, reverence, faith, and above all love.
