After Heardred's death, Beowulf did become king and ruled his people well for 50 years. What feats has Beowulf already accomplished [when he is introduced]? Continue to start your free trial. He also put up quite a fight when Hygelac died in Frisia; Beowulf escaped by defeating many of the enemy in close combat, carrying off the war gear of 30 men. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. In northern literature there are only two that are significant we have but the dragon of the Vlsungs, Ffnir, and Beowulf's bane. He begins to plot his revenge. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! [21] The people's fate depend on the outcome of the fight between the hero and the dragon, and, as a hero, Beowulf must knowingly face death. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Before long, however, the aging warrior focuses on his responsibility as protector and prepares to face the monster in battle. It seems logical that the "noble" race who originally mined the gold and created the treasure could not be the race which wasted away and left only this man. But this time, hand-to-hand fighting, which had proved handy against Grendel, is equally useless. Pingback: Happy Tolkien Reading Day! What qualities characterize Beowulf as a hero? . They placed in the barrow rings and jewels, All such ornaments as erst in the treasure. | 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: "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. No, it turns out that the first part of Beowulfs name is more probably related to a pre-Christian god named Beow. Why does Beowulf want to see the treasure? Although it is not made explicit (as far as I can tell) it seems that this man's people might have wasted away at least partly due to the powers of the spell and the fact that they had used the ancient treasure for their own purposes. (including. What happens to the dragon's hoard? - eNotes.com Discount, Discount Code Major Themes in Beowulf. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Which passages might reflect a specifically Anglo-Saxon philosophy of life? Wiglaf excoriates them for their cowardice in leaving their king to fight the dragon by himself. 361-62.) Purchasing The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. [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. [22], Beowulf's eventual death from the dragon presages "warfare, death, and darkness" for his Geats. If you consider everything we are told about the treasure, the people who originally hid it, the curse put on it, the people who uncovered and used it and eventually buried it again, and about the barrow itself, and the dragon, which, for some reason, decided to guard it (although I know that there are many legends in which dragons guard treasures), there is enough material to inspire a very interesting story. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. In lines 2912-2998, he reminds them of past battles between the Geats and other groups, referred to variously as Franks, Frisians, Merovingian, Swedes and Battle-Scylfings. As Hrothgar warned, and as the Beowulf poet reminds us throughout the epic, all glory is fleeting. In Beowulf, some of the most important symbols are Hrothgar's mead-hall, Grendel's cave, Grendel's arm and head, and the dragon's treasure-trove. LitCharts Teacher Editions. [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. 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. He describes the wars between the Geats and the Swedes after Hrethels death, recalling his proud days as a warrior in the service of Hygelac. There are more than 85 translations of Beowulf, and each one is slightly biased in its interpretation. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. As a monster that represents the opposite of a generous king and therefore is a destroyer rather than creator of society, it should come as no surprise that the dragon would burn Beowulf's mead-hall. 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. In [29], Wiglaf remains loyal to his king and stays to confront the dragon. Well start with a brief summary ofBeowulfbefore proceeding to some textual analysis and critical reading. The dragon chanced upon the hoard and has been guarding it for the past three hundred years. Under Beowulfs reign, the feuding with Sweden eventually ceased when Beowulf avenged Hygelacs death. Gold, Treasure, and Gifts Symbol in Beowulf | LitCharts Despite the odds being stacked against him, he manages to overcome the monster, to borrow Christopher Bookers phrase for this type of narrative. The dragons hoard is buried with Beowulfs ashes. And although it is seen as the starting-point of great English literature at many universities, it is still the earliest literary text studied as part of the literary canon it is very different from other medieval poetry, such as that by Chaucer or Langland, who were writing many centuries later. bookmarked pages associated with this title. eNotes Editorial, 16 Sep. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-happens-dragons-hoard-330006. He burns vast amounts of territory and the homes of the Geats: "the dragon began to belch out flames / and burn bright homesteads". Yet one responsibility of a king is a stable succession. Most people know that the poem documents the struggle of the title character in vanquishing a monster named Grendel. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. [11] Also, the Beowulf poet created a dragon with specific traits: a nocturnal, treasure-hoarding, inquisitive, vengeful, fire-breathing creature. 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." Talking of Tolkien, it was his influential 1936 essay, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, which was really responsible for a shift in the way that people read Beowulf. Why does the dragon attack Beowulf's kingdom? Beowulf Beowulf has an almost divine strength, but also something primal and temporal, but just as valuable: the courage of a wolf. Pingback: What Happens in Beowulf? The other is dark and dank and full of evil, beneath a mere in the middle of a fen and the symbolic home of resentful outcasts. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Beowulf is a classic overcoming the monster story. Although the Beowulf dragon exhibits many existing motifs common to Germanic tradition, the Beowulf poet was the first to combine features and present a distinctive fire-breathing dragon. The dragon is the final test for Beowulf, a test of his wisdom as well as his courage. Hygelac fell while Beowulf survived thanks to his great strength and swimming ability. The tragic story of the death of Hrethels son at the hands of his own brother offers an echo of the earlier case of divided loyalty in the Finnsburg episode. (For more on Tolkien, have a read of our five fascinating facts about him.). [2] Within the plot structure, however, the dragon functions differently in Beowulf than in Tolkien's fiction. Beowulf declined, however, not wanting to disturb the order of succession. [27] The dragon's hoard is representative of a people lost and antique, which is juxtaposed against the Geatish people, whose history is new and fleeting. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. from your Reading List will also remove any 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. Only one survivor, who is called the "keeper of the rings" (2244), lived to hide the treasures in the barrow. The poet has no reservations about giving away his ending. Symbolically, Heorot represents the achievements of the Scyldings, specifically Hrothgar, and their level of civilization. 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. Hetware technically, the Chattuarii; here indistinguishable from Frisians; joined with Franks against Hygelac. Beowulf now is clearly an old man. 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. 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. for a customized plan. I certainly realize that it is not perfectly clear whether the treasure was owned by one people or two. WebWhat happens with the dragon's treasure at the end of the story, and what could this symbolize? Interestingly, Beowulf's initial reaction is a feeling of guilt. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. The dragon (Beowulf) - Wikipedia Here are all of the passages which tell us about the treasure, the barrow, and the two peoples who held the treasure over the past 1,000 years (which could be an indeterminate, "poetical" sort of 1,000 years), before it was discovered by the slave in the Beowulf story (the translation is from Chickering): The following notes on the dragon's treasure are from Frederick Rebsamen, page 70: Now, however, I think that the evidence for two peoples is clearly indicated in lines 2247-2252 and 3047-3057. Accessed 2 May 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Beowulf: The Dragon (Lines 22002323) Summary Before he dies, Beowulf gives Wiglaf his golden necklace, I have often wondered why the Beowulf story was lost for so long. . Rather than directly drawing on the work of Homer and Virgil, the Beowulf poet simply seems to have hit upon the idea of using similar plot devices and character types. He could approach with a full army but supposedly bases his decision on former triumphs over Grendel and the mother. They wish each other luck in the fight that will follow, and Beowulf has a premonition of his own death. It also looks back to Greek and Roman epics like Homers Odyssey and Virgils Aeneid. not so far removed from, say, a James Bond or Indiana Jones film, or a fast-paced fantasy novel or superhero comic strip Yesbut also, surely, the Western? This is a great commentary on the story of Beowulf. I would argue that Grendels mother (who is interestingly only ever referred to as the mother) commits her acts of revenge out of grief, as well as anger. Like Beowulf, the dragon uses its strength to accrue a huge mound of treasure, but in the end all the treasure does is bring about its death. The treasure also brings about Beowulfs death. Possibly the poems Christian narrator sees greed for treasure as a kind of spiritual death, suffered by pagans who value treasure over Heaven. The poets explicit comparison between Hygelac, who died, and Beowulf, who lived, in the combat in Friesland similarly builds our expectations that Beowulf will succeed in his quest. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Beowulf gives his life defeating the dragon and gaining this impressive treasure for his people, but they won't benefit from it either. Removing #book# [3] Secular Germanic literature and the literature of Christian hagiography featured dragons and dragon fights. Instant PDF downloads. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. The earnings of earlmen to earth they entrusted, The gold to the dust, where yet it remaineth. The poem actually begins with Scyld Sheffings funeral, and it ends with Beowulfs. Many critics and teachers believe that Beowulf contains themes that are relevant to modern life. It opens with an account of a Danish king named Hrothgar, who was the one responsible for building a great hall (named Heorot), a hall which is now being terrorised by the monstrous Grendel. Beowulf, despite his tendency to boast a bit (isnt that where we get kennings? [40] Tolkien is here quoting a passage from R. W. Chambers's essay "Beowulf and the 'Heroic Age' in England. And anyone whos a Tolkien fan should read his essay. Grave Goods: An archeological and anthropological term, grave goods merely describe any objects buried with a body. Contact us Everyone is dead. 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. What happens to the dragon and its treasure? People from neighboring tribes have respectfully contributed to the rich decorations and intricate designs. I cant quite read the Old English, but I love to read the different translations. [5], The dragon with his hoard is a common motif in early Germanic literature with the story existing to varying extents in the Norse sagas, but it is most notable in the Vlsunga saga and in Beowulf. [6] Beowulf preserves existing medieval dragon-lore, most notably in the extended digression recounting the Sigurd/Fafnir tale. He even burns the house of Beowulf, which houses the throne. Hrothgar's great mead-hall, Only when Hygelacs son met his end in a skirmish against the Swedes did Beowulf ascend the throne. Beowulf is indeed a fascinating work and I always look forward to introducing my students to this foundation of hero motifs. (one code per order). The cave also represents their heritage. They took the metals from the earth, and the Keeper now returns the treasures to it. WebSomeone accidentally took his treasure Beowulf worries that which of the following is the reason for the dragon's attacks: He offended God How does Beowulf feel as he [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. The survivor seems to realize that the treasure is meaningless without a community in which to circulate. [23] The dragon's hoard symbolizes the vestige of an older society, now lost to wars and famine, left behind by a survivor of that period. Hidden beneath a treacherous mere in the middle of a dark, forbidding swamp, the cave allows them a degree of safety and privacy in a world that they view as hostile. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. The dragon fight, near the end of the poem, is foreshadowed in earlier scenes. [43] Joan Acocella states in The New Yorker that "unlike Grendel and his mother, [the dragon] is less a monster than a symbol. Upon returning home, Beowulf was offered the throne by the widowed Hygd, who knew that her own son was too young and inexperienced to be an effective ruler. Where does the dragon come from in Beowulf? - eNotes.com Ive had the Heaney translation on my shelves for years, but your post has piqued my interest. One sole survivor, who is called the "keeper of rings" (2244), hid the treasures in the high barrow-hall and soon died. Instead, he acted as protector and guardian to the prince and supported his rule. He has to settle for the right arm or claw, ripped from its shoulder socket, when the mortally wounded adversary flees to the swamp. 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. WebIronically, Beowulf dies thinking that the treasure he has won will benefit his people; instead, the Geats burn or bury all of it with Beowulf. [1] The scene is structured in thirds, ending with the deaths of the dragon and Beowulf. Eadgils and Eanmund Ohthere's sons, Swedes. Most people know that the poem documents the struggle of the title character in vanquishing a monster named Beowulf tells his men to stay outside, that this fight is his alone, but the dragon proves strong and mortally wounds Beowulf. When Grendel's mother is able to fight Beowulf in the cave, she has a distinct advantage; his victory is all the more significant. 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. Beowulf is the first piece of English literature to present a dragonslayer. Not just Beowulf's own life is at stake. On the cliff outside the barrow, Beowulf speaks to his men, recounting his youth as a ward in King Hrethels court. Historical Context Essay: Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Society, Literary Context Essay: Old English Poetry. In Beowulf's two earlier battles, Grendel and Grendel's mother are characterized as descendants of Cain: "[Grendel] had long lived in the land of monsters / since the creator cast them out / as the kindred of Cain"[15] and seem to be humanoid: in the poet's rendition they can be seen as giants, trolls, or monsters. I definitely want to go read Tolkiens essay. The dragon's treasure-trove poignantly represents the vanity of human wishes as well as the mutability of time. So, the warriors end up building Beowulf his funeral pyre and burying the dragon's hoard with his ashes. Reblogged this on Storey on a Story Blog and commented: Beowulf: Sections 8-10 Flashcards | Quizlet Why did the Danes bury the treasure that Beowulf and Wiglaf recovered from the dragon? The hall is a home for the warriors who sleep there and functions as a seat of government. The messenger describes the death scene to the citizens, and then, at line 2912, tells them that their enemies will soon find out that Beowulf is dead, and come after them, taking advantage of their new weakness. But what is less well known is that Beowulf has to slay not one big monster, but three: after he has taken care of Grendel, the dead monsters mother shows up, and she proves even more of a challenge for our hero (though ultimately Beowulf triumphs and wins the day). There, the Danish princess Hildeburh was distressed by the fact that her son and her brother were at war, fighting on opposite sides, and that ultimately both were killed. The cave itself represents a world alien to Heorot. Onela killed Geat King Heardred. WebThe defeat of his people had left the treasures to deteriorate. On his return from Heorot, where he killed Grendel and Grendel's mother, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules wisely for fifty years until a slave awakens and angers a dragon by stealing a jewelled cup from its lair. The throne comes to Beowulf, who 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. We read a snippet of Beowulf in Jr. High School (the dragon part) and Ive always found the story fascinating. [30][31] The presence of a companion is seen as a motif in other dragon stories, but the Beowulf poet breaks hagiographic tradition with the hero's suffering (hacking, burning, stabbing) and subsequent death. His son, Heardred, inherits the throne, with Beowulf's support, but is also slain. Critical Essays An Interesting Summary | the shadows illuminated. LitCharts Teacher Editions. What happens to the dragon's treasure in Beowulf? - Study.com WebThe dragon is the final test for Beowulf, a test of his wisdom as well as his courage. 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. For 300 years, the dragon has peacefully guarded a treasure-trove, originally the riches of a now-defunct tribe but long hidden in a "high barrow-hall, / towering stone-mound" (2212-13). [24] Before he faces the dragon, Beowulf thinks of his past: his childhood and wars the Geats endured during that period, foreshadowing the future. A great dragon lurks beneath the earth, jealously guarding its treasure, until one day a thief manages to infiltrate the barrow, or mound, where the treasure lies. Beowulf is the oldest extant heroic poem in English and the first to present a dragon slayer. Theres an excellent film called The Thirteenth Warrior, in which an exiled Islamic poet joins a band of Vikings to defeat what appears to be a Beowulfian monster attacking a hall. CliffsNotes In lines 3151-3155, a woman sings a grief song, in which she says that she fears that the Geats will soon experience invasion, death, slavery, shame, and terror. Thus, the poem gives us the feeling that this clash can end only in total destruction. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights, Beowulf: Refine any search. The final act of the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf includes Beowulf's fight with a dragon, the third monster he encounters in the epic. This is a matter of some conjecture, with guesses ranging anywhere between the eighth century and the first half of the eleventh century. The dragon fight is foreshadowed with earlier events: Scyld Shefing's funeral and Sigmund's death by dragon, as recounted by a bard in Hrothgar's hall. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% He and his thanes climb to the dragon's lair where, upon seeing the beast, the thanes flee in terror, leaving only Wiglaf to battle at Beowulf's side. All are mentioned, probably because the poet borrowed from various influences in creating the poem. Hygelac is killed in battle. But because the specific details of the story are not widely known, numerous misconceptions about the poemabound. Queen Hygd offered Beowulf the throne after her husband (Hygelac) died, thinking that her young son (Heardred) was unable to protect the kingdom; Beowulf refused but served the young king faithfully. WebIn Beowulf, gold, treasure, and gifts are less important for their economic value than their social value. Raiding at night, the dragon reminds the reader of Grendel, the monster who haunted Hrothgar in his old age and changed the Scylding king's fortunes. [29], The dragon battle is structured in thirds: the preparation for the battle, the events prior to the battle, and the battle itself. Although the analogy might seem a little crude, the mechanics of the plot are not so far removed from, say, a James Bond or Indiana Jones film, or a fast-paced fantasy novel or superhero comic strip. I think it is because people could relate to, and thus embrace, the faults of Arthur over the heroism in Beowulf. How utterly fascinating! Often a symbol is emblematic of the values of the characters. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Men must endure their going hence, as Shakespeare has it inKing Lear (a line borrowed for C. S. Lewiss tombstone). from your Reading List will also remove any When the monster appears, Beowulf and his men attack the troll-like monster with their swords. At line 3028, it is written that the messenger's predictions eventually came true. maybe I should have stuck with reading English instead of switching to Philosophy and obtained a better class of degree than the Gentlemans I ended up woth (a pass, just like T S Eliot). He tells them that they will not have the treasure, because they have disgraced themselves. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. In an ancient time a prince's thane hid it, as he was the last of [10] The Beowulf dragon is described with Old English terms such as draca (dragon), and wyrm (reptile, or serpent), and as a creature with a venomous bite. Beowulf also takes pains to protect his fame even in death through the creation of his barrow. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In fact, gold can be seen as a symbol of social interaction: a lord rewards "[13], A study of German and Norse texts reveals three typical narratives for the dragonslayer: a fight for the treasure, a battle to save the slayer's people, or a fight to free a woman. Time is out of joint as the poet reveals the events leading up to Beowulf's becoming king. A lone Geat fugitive, apparently a servant or slave escaping a cruel master, has stolen a single flagon from the hoard, outraging the dragon and inciting him to vengeance. "[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. To a greater or lesser extent, it can be seen in much modern fantasy fiction such as that by Tolkien. Refine any search. Previous The foreshadowing is even more specific immediately after Beowulf orders his new shield; the poet bluntly reveals that the king is "to reach the end of his seafaring days, / his life in this world, together with the serpent" (242-43). You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. The tribe's fortunes have turned. He then makes his final boast: he vows to fight the dragon, if only it will abandon its barrow and face him on open ground. [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]. He takes what he can back with him to Beowulf, making haste lest Beowulf should die before he sees what he has won. (For a chronology of the Geats' feuds, see Chickering, pp. Thus the characters role is split and this binary role is portrayed in different ways depending on the translation of Beowulf. [2] Beowulf is the earliest surviving piece of Anglo-Saxon literature to feature a dragon, and it is possible that the poet had access to similar stories from Germanic legend. The stories, moreover, are often attached to real persons and localized precisely in time and place. As useless to mortals as in foregoing eras. There will be no more songs from the scop. The thief steals a gem-covered goblet, arousing the wrath of the dragon. Grendel and his mother, then, are similarly outcasts, something that has been rejected by mainstream society and whose violence must be overcome. Can he still save the day, when everything he tries seems to be of no avail? 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. 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.

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