Critical Essay on The Last Battle in "Beowulf"

Introduction

The last battle in Beowulf is with the dragon. The dragon is the third and final enemy in this poem. It likes to hoard and guard treasures and is very curious, ferocious and greedy. Beowulf killed this dragon in the end but he also died because of the dragon's venom. It is significant that Beowulf is killed because it generates a sense of heroism. Beowulf is a real hero for paying the highest price and sacrificing his own life to protect his people, a sign of selflessness.

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Beowulf depicts true heroism in the third battle through his selfless actions. This battle is very different from the other two battles because in the first two battles the Beowulf was very young and powerful. For instance, he killed Grendel and Grendel's mother very easily and successfully. It looks like Beowulf can do anything without a hitch in the first part of his life. The third battle happens in fifty years after these two famous battles. Beowulf becomes the king of Geats because Hygelac and his sons died in battles. The third battle is also different in that Beowulf is an old man about eighty years old and is too old to fight. However, he is a king and has to protect his people. He says: "I risked my life/ Often when I was young. Now I am old,/ But as the king of this people I shall pursue this fight/ For the glory of winning if the evil one will only/ Abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open." (2511-2515). Even he knows he will die in the battle but still goes to the curve to fight with the dragon.

The Beowulf is a real hero because he does not fight for status or wealth but for an opportunity to keep his people safe and secure. This statement captures the intention of the king in the ensuing confrontation with the dragon. "To the King of Glory, I give thanks/ That I beheld this treasure here in front of me/ That I have been allowed to leave my people/ So well-endowed on the day I die." (2794-2798) Even when he was dying, he still happy about the dragon's death and his people can get a lot of treasure. Beowulf recalled before the battle makes this poem more solemn and stirring, and it's very movingly: their king prepared to die to exchange the peace life for his people.

During the battle with the dragon, the Beowulf lacks the superhuman capabilities like flying or spitting fire. While to some people the Beowulf is having bad luck in this battle, the phenomenon only reinforces a sense of human reality in the battle which proves useful in creating the atmosphere of heroism that is attached to the character of the Beowulf.Although Beowulf is a hero, he is still a normal person. There are not many differences between Beowulf and us; maybe he is more powerful and braver than us. But Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon are all not human beings, they are monsters, devils, they are all supernatural. The fight against Grendel and Grendel's mother is too easy and too successful. It seems Beowulf can do everything without help, he just like a god. The third battle is more complicated and attractive, every time the Beowulf is in danger; our hearts tighten with thoughts of the impending eventuality hanging on the Beowulf (2669-2676). The suspense of what will happen, how the Beowulf will save himself, and how he will rise against the odds inspires the readers to continue reading. In the third battle Beowulf killed the dragon with Wiglaf, in the other world, Beowulf cannot kill the dragon without Wiglaf's help and Wiglaf saves Beowulf. These make Beowulf very vivid and expressive to us. Indeed a hero can be in danger and need help from other people. The hero may die as they pay the ultimate prize to protect the rest of their kind.The mixture of the stated virtues and qualities invoke an emotion that touches the readers.

It is notable that Wiglaf did not possess the same warrior qualities as Beowulf. However, the author does not follow a model that creates a parallel between the two characters. Instead, the author shows an inclination to illustrate convergence in their life journey and the utilization of synergy to a common cause despite the different capacities of the two. For instance, the ten men who are hand-picked by Beowulf break ranks and run into the woods nearby for their lives. Only Wiglaf stays because he remembers how well Beowulf had treated him and his family (2596-2601). During the battle with the dragon as Beowulf fights to protect his country, Wiglaf lunges forward, stabbing the dragon in the belly because he saw Beowulf is in danger. Wiglaf says that he would rather die fighting the dragon than go home to the rest of the Geats in cowardly safety. It shows that Wiglaf is really like the young Beowulf, brave, powerful and altruistic. As a result of the manifestation of valor and bravery, the Beowulf says that "To own this fortune, it is up to you/ to look after their needs." (2800-2801). The statement captures Beowulf desire to have Wiglaf succeed to the throne to continue his wish to protect their people. It reflects his approval of Wiglaf in the belief that the country would be in able and safe hands even his absence.

Conclusion

The Beowulf is a classic masterpiece that embodies both the Anglo-Saxon pagan qualities. The duo dimensions of fate and fame are the hallmarks of the Anglo-Saxon paganism. A close examination of Beowulf's speech and attitude reveals a warrior seeking fame by accomplishing a victory against the dragon. He says that "am old now, but I will fight again, seek fame still" (625-628). The Beowulf exhibited warrior qualities apparent to the Anglo-Saxon, namely, revenge and glory. Revenge occurs when he kills Grendel's mother while the aspect of glory is evidenced when the Beowulf anticipates a sense of fame in the upcoming encounter with the dragon. The Beowulf completely epitomizes the Anglo-Saxon warrior who is both brave, selfless and possesses superhuman strength. The background of the speeches before the eventual encounter with the dragon also depicts the aspect of fate. The Beowulf says that "fate saves the living when they drive away death by themselves" (305-306). The mention of fate is in line with Anglo-Saxon paganism where fate is seen as the master planner for life events away from the Christian beliefs in Gods plans.