Did not Hrothgar warn him of this in the sermon? Beowulfs reminiscences about his glory days and the narrators mention of Beowulfs old age reinforce the reality that every lifeeven that of a legendary warriormust come to an end. If he dies, his people will be lost. The claw is hung high beneath Heorot's roof (most likely on the outside beneath the gables) as a symbol of Beowulf's victory. He burns vast amounts of territory and the homes of the Geats: "the dragon began to belch out flames / and burn bright homesteads". This is a matter of some conjecture, with guesses ranging anywhere between the eighth century and the first half of the eleventh century. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. It towers high and is compared to a cliff. He ignores the vast treasure in the cave, instead choosing to carry the magnificent, huge head as symbolic of his victory over both ogres. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Free trial is available to new customers only. The poet has aligned Beowulf with the force of good throughout the story, and the dragons direct attack on Beowulfs hall renders this imminent encounter an inevitable clash between good and evil. This fight results in one last victory for our great hero, followed by his own death from the mortal would inflicted by the poisoned horn of the beast (though presumably Beowulf was rather advanced in years by this point anyway). Continue to start your free trial. (one code per order). The ancient treasures in the hoard once belonged to a regional tribe of warriors; almost the entire tribe was killed in battle some 300 years previously. But the anecdote of the Last Survivor, which tells how the gold came to be buried in the barrow, demonstrates a different ethos. Perhaps someone will (or has) written a history of the treasure and the barrow - it could make a very adventurous tale, in which Beowulf's battle with the dragon, and the reinternment of the treasure in his funeral mound (the gold having gone back into the earth for the third time) might be merely one short chapter. In lines 2892-2897a, Wiglaf commands a messenger to go back to town, and give a report to the citizens who had not seen the battle with the dragon. Reblogged this on Willow's Corner and commented: Only when Hygelacs son met his end in a skirmish against the Swedes did Beowulf ascend the throne. It is worth noting, though, that in many of the translations I have read (particularly the ones from the 19th century) the translators refer to the treasure as having been owned by only a single people: the people who died out and left the man who put it into the cave which eventually was guarded by the dragon. He devotes his life to guarding a treasure that he frankly has no use for. At line 2999, he says that these past battles are the reason why he is expecting trouble to rain down on the Geats, and so, at line 3010, he says that the treasure should be burned in its entirety in Beowulf's funeral pyre. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. I cannot however find any strong evidence to support Frederick Rebsamen's assertion that "the old curse will probably punish the Geats since they left much of the treasure undestroyed in the burial mound.". The Beowulf dragon was adapted for Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit (1937), one of the forerunners of modern high fantasy. The problem is that Beowulf was a young man during those glorious battles. WebThe dragon is the final test for Beowulf, a test of his wisdom as well as his courage. Beowulf is the oldest extant heroic poem in English and the first to present a dragon slayer. Why does Unferth question Beowulfs ability? Beowulf now is clearly an old man. The pattern is the establishment of the house of the Geats, the rescue of the house of Heorot by destroyng the house of Grendel, and the end of the house of the Geats with Beowulf. The parallel in the story lies with the similarity to Beowulf's hero Sigemund and his companion: Wiglaf is a younger companion to Beowulf and, in his courage, shows himself to be Beowulf's successor. For example, in line 2311, he tells us, in the understatement of litotes, that the termination of the dragon raids will be "hard for their [the Geats'] ring-giving lord." [2] Nonetheless, comparative contemporary narratives did not have the complexity and distinctive elements written into Beowulf's dragon scene. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. As the author of this post writes, the morals, tropes, and figures create a bases for understanding many other English works that were to follow, so its interesting to see how relatively young Britain works with this tale and interprets its own history. Waking up to find the goblet stolen, the dragon bursts forth from the barrow to hunt the thief, scorching the earth as it travels. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In an ancient time a prince's thane hid it, as he was the last of Men must endure their going hence, as Shakespeare has it inKing Lear (a line borrowed for C. S. Lewiss tombstone). Time is out of joint as the poet reveals the events leading up to Beowulf's becoming king. Onela killed Geat King Heardred. WebWhat happens to the dragon's treasure in Beowulf? Beowulf had hoped to have an entire Grendel body to present to King Hrothgar after his battle with the ogre in Heorot. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. WebThe fight with the dragon symbolizes Beowulf's stand against evil and destruction, and, as the hero, he knows that failure will bring destruction to his people after many years of Log in here. "[44], In From Homer to Harry Potter: A Handbook on Myth and Fantasy, Matthew Dickerson and David O'Hara argue that the Beowulf poet added the figure of the dragon to "the potthat is ladled out of by most modern fantasy writers"; they argued that both numerous works with villainous dragons, as well as literature with benign dragons like the My Father's Dragon books and the Pern series by Anne McCaffrey, were influenced by Beowulf's dragon. [46] Aia Hussein of the National Endowment for the Humanities has written that the fight between Harry Potter and the Hungarian Horntail in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000) by J. K. Rowling was influenced by the confrontation between the dragon and the title character in Beowulf.[47]. Not just Beowulf's own life is at stake. You'll also receive an email with the link. This depiction indicates the growing importance and stabilization of the modern concept of the dragon within European mythology. The survivor seems to realize that the treasure is meaningless without a community in which to circulate. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, Beowulf: What does a hero's death mean to Beowulf's people? Lines 2200-2400. The next night, Grendels mother angered by the attack on her son turns up to wreak vengeance, and once again Beowulf finds himself having to roll up his sleeves and engage in fierce combat, which this time takes place in the underwater lair of the monster deep beneath the surface of a lake. The title of the poem is probably the most famous thing about it that, and the fact that a monster named Grendel features at some point. [39], In his 1936 lecture Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, J. R. R. Tolkien noted that the dragon and Grendel are "constantly referred to in language which is meant to recall the powers of darkness which Christian men felt themselves to be encompassed. WebShare Cite. The poem then moves forward fifty years to Beowulfs last fight, his run-in with the dragon (which has been angered by the theft of some of its treasure shades of The Hobbit once more?). Beowulf is a classic overcoming the monster story. Is there a work of literature, similar to Beowulf, where the hero fights a monster to save his kingdom? Following his victory over the two monsters, Beowulf then returns to the waters surface (at noon which, interestingly, when the poem was written, was actually three oclock in the afternoon, or the ninth hour after dawn) before rejoining his men and journeying back to the hall for mead and rejoicing. The legend of the dragon-slayer already existed in Norse sagas such as the tale of Sigurd and Fafnir, and the Beowulf poet incorporates motifs and themes common to dragon-lore in the poem. Eadgils and Eanmund Ohthere's sons, Swedes. Beowulf is a hero who previously killed two monsters. [29], Wiglaf remains loyal to his king and stays to confront the dragon. Hygelac's death (c. 520 AD) is one historical event in the epic; it was recorded by Saint Gregory of Tours in his Historia Francorum. eNotes Editorial, 16 Sep. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-happens-dragons-hoard-330006. This suggests that different cultures, in these old days of oral storytelling, utilised the same methods in very different works of literature, without having direct knowledge of each other. In his death-speech, Beowulf nominates Wiglaf as his heir and asks for a monument to be built for him on the shoreline. bookmarked pages associated with this title. [2] Within the plot structure, however, the dragon functions differently in Beowulf than in Tolkien's fiction. The film being referenced in the comment above by poetmcgonagall, is a film adaptation of Michael Crightons excellent Eaters of the Dead which gives a facinating take on the Beowulf/Grendel legend. To a greater or lesser extent, it can be seen in much modern fantasy fiction such as that by Tolkien. He is the protector of his people and almost immediately begins preparations to fight the dragon. The throne comes to Beowulf, who Since he had no son, it was foolish for Beowulf to risk his life. The dragon's motivation is vengeance even though the poet makes it clear that the fire-breathing reptile, like the deceased warriors, has no use for the cup or any of the rest of the treasure. At line 3028, it is written that the messenger's predictions eventually came true. At this point, we assume that the gold hoard will be taken out of the dragon's barrow and put to use. Unfortunately, the distinguishing feature of Beowulf's death is that his loyal retainers, with the exception of Wiglaf, failed to come to his aid when Beowulf could have used their help. In addition, the "gold of the ancients was wrapped in a spell" when it was stored away, and it seems clear that it was not the man in lines 2247-2252 who cast the spell, nor his companions, who had all died, but rather some previous race. [42] As Beowulf dies from his fight with the dragon, despite defeating it, James Parker of The Atlantic writes that "There is no transcendence in Beowulf, and no redemption [] kill the dragonbut the dragon will get you anyway". Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. The poet relates that many centuries earlier, the last survivor of an ancient race buried the treasure in the barrow when he realized that the treasure would be of no use to him because he, like his ancestors, was destined to die. A great post on one of my favorite works. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Hetware technically, the Chattuarii; here indistinguishable from Frisians; joined with Franks against Hygelac. Beowulfs call for the dragon to face him on open ground has the same primal feel to it as his youthful decision to fight Grendel unarmed. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Beowulf is a classic overcoming the monster story. Beowulf declined, however, not wanting to disturb the order of succession. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Under the heroic code, grief is something to be purged through vengeance, but vengeance here would mean the death of another sonan excruciating and unsatisfying prospect. Tolkien expands on Beowulf's dragon in his own fiction, which indicates the lasting impact of the Beowulf poem. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The scene includes extended flashbacks to the Geatish-Swedish wars, a detailed description of the dragon and the dragon-hoard, and ends with intricate funerary imagery. Beowulf, like Hrothgar, rules well for fifty years. They discover the thief who stole the dragons goblet and press him to take them to the barrow. What is the meaning of the Anglo-Saxon term wyrd? But because the specific details of the story are not widely known, numerous misconceptions about the poemabound. Reblogged this on Storey on a Story Blog and commented: He cuts the dragon in the belly to reduce the flames, and Beowulf deals the fatal blow. Battle-Scylfings Swedes. The creature attacks the neighboring towns in revenge. From beginning to end, the tone of this section is one of death and doom. The second part passes rapidly over King Hygelacs subsequent death in a battle (of historical record), the death of his son, and Beowulfs succession to the kingship and his peaceful rule of 50 years. But now a fire-breathing dragon ravages his land and the doughty but aging Beowulf engages it. Grave Goods: An archeological and anthropological term, grave goods merely describe any objects buried with a body. After Heardred's death, Beowulf did become king and ruled his people well for 50 years. [40] Tolkien is here quoting a passage from R. W. Chambers's essay "Beowulf and the 'Heroic Age' in England. Although it is celebrated nowadays as an important work of Anglo-Saxon indeed, English literature, Beowulf was virtually unknown and forgotten about, amazingly, for nearly a thousand years. [41], The poet Seamus Heaney, author of a major translation of Beowulf, suggests that Beowulf's attitude towards fighting the dragon reflects his "chthonic wisdom refined in the crucible of experience", that is there is already a "beyond-the-grave aspect" to his resoluteness. Tolkien also argues that Beowulfs death following his combat with the dragon represents a fitting and more elemental end for the hero, who had successfully vanquished the monster Grendel and Grendels mother (who, although not human, were nevertheless closer to man than a dragon). Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. [35] Conversely, Kemp Malone writes in "The Kenning in Beowulf" that Beowulf's fight with the dragon receives much critical attention, but that commentators fail to note that "the dragon was no fighter. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Despite the odds being stacked against him, he manages to overcome the monster, to borrow Christopher Bookers phrase for this type of narrative. But this much constitutes a reasonably complete summary of the plot ofBeowulf. He wants his people to have the treasure, noting that his death will not be in vain if his people can profit from the fruits of his death. "Cain's monstrous progeny in Beowulf: part I, Noachic tradition", "The Dragon-Lore of Middle-earth: Tolkien and Old English and Old Norse Tradition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_dragon_(Beowulf)&oldid=1136193441, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 05:14. They took the metals from the earth, and the Keeper now returns the treasures to it. The lengthy passages of recapitulation and reminiscence fill in the details of Beowulfs political biography. [14] The characteristics of Beowulf's dragon appear to be specific to the poem, and the poet may have melded together dragon motifs to create a dragon with specific traits that weave together the complicated plot of the narrative. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Seamus Heaney, Translators Introduction, pp. The hall is a home for the warriors who sleep there and functions as a seat of government. Also, Beowulf is most commonly described as an epic poem; the label makes its main character, Beowulf, an epic-hero. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Not that it refused to fight when challenged, but that it did not seek out Beowulf or anyone else. WebHe tells Wiglaf to look after the Geats when he is gone. Which passages might reflect a Christian outlook? Which passages might reflect a specifically Anglo-Saxon philosophy of life? The dragon's hoard is buried with Beowulf's ashes. I never thought of Jabberwocky like that but now that its pointed out I can definitely see it, Pingback: 10 Short Medieval Poems Everyone Should Read | Interesting Literature. The cave also represents their heritage. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Some interesting thoughts here on a classic, with references to J.R.R. (If youre looking for the Heaney translation, it can be found here: Beowulf: A New Translation; the Tolkien translation is Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell.) The poem continues to enjoy popularity, thanks to a bestselling translation by Seamus Heaney and a translation by J. R. R. Tolkien, which was only published in 2014. [12], The fire is likely symbolic of the hellfire of the devil, reminiscent of the monster in the Book of Job. They certainly are not welcome at Heorot, and they know it. The treasure hoard, without a people to use and "polish" it, is useless. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. [29], The dragon battle is structured in thirds: the preparation for the battle, the events prior to the battle, and the battle itself. Purchasing The chain-shirts can no longer protect their owners because the warriors will fight no more battles. The dragon, therefore, is a stark contrast to the other two antagonists. Think of Bilbo Baggins leaving the Shire, or Frodo for that matter, inThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings (and, indeed, well return to Tolkien shortly). You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Beowulf and his men spend the night at Heorot and wait for Grendel to turn up. The passing of time brings changes to the lives of the Geats as it does to everyone. We can compare Beowulf, too, with the legend of King Arthur (which began to appear in written sources around the same time), specifically in terms of the magic sword which the hero of both stories uses in order to fulfil his quest. The odds continue to be stacked against our hero, the difficulties multiplying, the tension raised to an almost unbearable pitch. So, what about the context for the poem? Complete your free account to request a guide. In the 2007 film version, the dragon is Grendel's younger half-brother as he's the son of the latter's mother and Beowulf whom he ironically ends up killing in the end of the movie. The emphasis on the treasure itself in this section rehashes the moral ambiguity of materialism caused by the overlaying of a Christian value system on a pagan story. Now I have given my old life/for this treasure hoard; fulfill henceforth/the people's needs; I may stay here no longer. One thing that the basic overarching story or plot summary ofBeowulf makes clear is just how formative and archetypal it is, not just in heroic English literature, but in fantasy literature, too. It is only as a means of creating bonds in society that treasure has value. When Beowulf hears of the dragon's night raids, the king initially wonders if he could have angered God in some way, bringing this trouble to his people. . After the dragon is killed, Beowulf tells Wiglaf to look for the dragon's treasure and to bring it to him. Travelling deeper into the monsters lair, Beowulf comes across the dying Grendel, and armed with his new magic sword decides to lop off the sons head as well, for good measure. Meanwhile, his kinsman Wiglaf scolds the other members of the troop for not going in to help, before coming to Beowulf's aid. There is an element of the final part of Beowulf which is overshadowed by the fight with the dragon and by Beowulf's death, but which I think is worth thinking about: the history of the dragon's treasure. and any corresponding bookmarks? The poet recounts the death of King Hygelac in combat in Friesland. His imagined elegy foreshadows Beowulf's death and elegy to come. The poem gives no place of origin for the dragon, only an explanation of why it guards the hoard of gold. [45], J. R. R. Tolkien used the dragon story of Beowulf as a template for Smaug of The Hobbit; in each case, the dragon awakens upon the hoard being disturbed by one stealing a chalice and goes into a wrathful rampage until slain by another person. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. He takes what he can back with him to Beowulf, making haste lest Beowulf should die before he sees what he has won. The narrator explains that this particular barrow was the, Without a generous king to give the treasure and loyal warriors to earn it, the treasure is "useless.". | Interesting Literature, Pingback: Five Fascinating Facts about Jabberwocky | Interesting Literature, Pingback: Five Fascinating Facts about Geoffrey Chaucer | Interesting Literature, Reblogged this on beocorgi and commented: The poet has no reservations about giving away his ending. Fantastic article, it was education and entertaining all at once. It is also provocative that the Geats, despite being advised by Wiglaf's messenger to burn the treasure, bury it in his funeral mound instead, leaving the possibility that someone could unearth it again in the future. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. [25] An embattled society without "social cohesion" is represented by the avarice of the "dragon jealously guarding its gold hoard",[26]and the elegy for Beowulf becomes an elegy for the entire culture. If, in my first year at Reading University in 1964/65, we had studied Beowulf instead of extracts from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (so dull!) Since translation is a form of interpretation, I believe Heaneys translation is particularly biased in thinking about Beowulf in the ancient Ango-Saxon tale and makes Beowulf a more complex character than the original tale describes, torn by his glorious role as epic hero and his duty to his people within a carefully constructed social structure. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Frisia Hygelac was killed in an apparently ill-conceived battle with the western Frisians (allies of the Franks), not by King Finn's people of the Finnsburh episode.