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Beowulf
Anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet
Contributed by Karim Chandra
Content
Overview
Context
Characters
Motifs
Themes
Symbols
Plot Summary
Chapter Summaries
Lines 1-63
Lines 64-193
Lines 194-661
Lines 662-851
Lines 852-1250
Lines 1251-1904
Lines 1905-2199
Lines 2200-2509
Lines 2510-2891
Lines 2892-3182
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Lines 2200-2509
Summary

In the section, the poet moves in rapidly in an attempt to describe Hygelac’s demise during the conflict that the Geats had with the Shylfings. Beowulf and Hygelac had gone to attack a Germanic tribe known as the Franks. People of the tribe were great blacksmiths and had extensive collections of jewels and gold. As a result, the great wealth they had made it possible for them to be targets of raids from time to time as other people sought to have a share of such wealth. The king of the Franks determined that the Geats were behind the attacks that they had experienced. He, therefore, sent out an army and instructed them to retrieve all the gold that the Geats had taken during the raid. Although Beowulf survived the attack by the Franks, many people did not survive their aggression. At the death of Hygelac, the time for Beowulf to rule has come. He manages to rule over the Geats for 50 years before the dragon wakes up.

A runaway slave goes into the barrow of a dragon. The baron is filled with an “ancient cache” of treasure. The man goes away with a golden goblet. When the dragon searches around, it does not see the man. The dragon, therefore, in anger, sets out with the aim of avenging for the theft of its treasure.

The dragon goes about burning the village and causing a lot of harm to people within. Beowulf is highly devastated by the harm that the dragon has caused. Right after the dragon has achieved its mission, it goes back to its hoard by daybreak. Beowulf is fully aware that he needs to challenge the dragon and win against him. He is also aware that by doing so, he can save his people from the actual trouble that they are exposed to. He prepares a large battle shield. Beowulf, however, does not prepare a large army. He is fully confident that he will be able to win against the dragon the way he has managed to fight and win against other monsters.

He then reflects back to the battle that led to the loss of King Hygelac. It is also during the war that he was able to escape death by sheer luck. He was able to escape narrowly by swimming across the sea. Beowulf tells that when he managed to get back home, Queen Hygd had wanted him to be king. He, however, did not want to be named king over Hygelac’s son who was the rightful heir. To Beowulf, he had the view that he needed to be fair to Heardred, Hygelac’s son. In a little time, however, Heardred was accused of being part of a Swedish conflict. He was after that, killed. The situation, therefore, made Beowulf ascend to the position of king over the people of Geats.

Beowulf was a good king to his people and was able to lead his country into ending the feuding that they had with others. While standing at the cliff-top entrance to the barrow of the dragon, Beowulf bids his men farewell. He seems to forebode with a sense of sadness. He is fully aware that, by entering the barrow, it could mark his end. Beowulf also gives a story of the times that have passed and thinks about an heir that was accidentally killed by his brother. Hrethel, who was the king at the time was greatly devastated. He was also highly frustrated as there was no way with how he could revenge against the death of his son. When the king dies, there is an eruption of war between the Geats and the Swedes. Eofor eventually kills the Swedish king known as Ongentheow. Eofor is one of the thanes of Hygelac. Beowulf also thinks about the times he fought for loyalty towards Hygelac and his kingdom. He also thought about the great reward that he was accorded.

Analysis

The story about the death of King Hygelac helps to foreshadow the events that will take place after Beowulf has encountered the dragon and attempted to fight against it. It is a battle that involves a lot of risks with very little reward in view. The fact that the event could lead to the death of Beowulf makes it largely unappealing. The fact that Beowulf was able to rise to power is also a show of the reward for loyalty. Beowulf was also able to confirm his loyalty by rejecting the offer that Queen Hygd gave him about becoming king. He, therefore, felt that Heardred had the right to assume the role of becoming king, taking over from the position that his father had left. When Onela kills Heardred, Beowulf goes on to avenge the actions conducted. The actions of Beowulf are, therefore, an indication of the great sense of honor that he has. He also proves that he has all the characteristics of a king by trying to set out to be a man of honor, the case that would be expected of a man of his caliber. He also shows that he has the characteristics of a hero.

The tale also shows a lone survivor who has buried treasures that belong to his people. The man has a lot of sadness in having the thoughts that no one will seek to use the treasures and fighting can be an end upon his people. The lone man also makes a big mistake. He builds a burial chamber that has gold and treasure. He, however, forgets to shut the door to the burial chamber. A dragon that is seeking for gold quickly enters the room containing the treasure and finds it.

The symbolism of the greed of the dragon is well detailed in the actions of the beast. It is only concerned that a single item is missing in the midst of all the riches that it has. It seeks to revenge for the loss of its treasure by plundering the whole village, including the hall of Beowulf. Guided by the heroic code, Beowulf feels highly confident and has the view that he can fight against the dragon. He appears to be overconfident although he is 75 years old.

The process of foreshadowing about the present frailty of the hero is also shown. Beowulf calls for the erection of a metal shield in preparation for fighting the dragon. The action is different from the ones he has done before. He had managed to fight Gretel with bare hands and killed him. He, however, only gathers 11 men to go along with him in his plans to kill the dragon. At the arrival at the top of the cliff, Beowulf becomes aware of the fact that he has grown weak over the years. He, therefore, starts to sense his demise. He talks about the painful rise of Hygelac to the throne. He also talks of a dehumanizing tale of a man who watched his son being taken to the gallows and hanged. The tales given by Beowulf add onto the sad tone introduced in the section. They, therefore, bring up the idea that the death of Beowulf could be imminent. Beowulf also remembers the advice that Hrothgar had given him that reversible of fate can be attained. He, therefore, thinks hard of what he could have had done to change the situation that lies before him. He also wonders what wrong he might have done to God.

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Lines 1905-2199
Lines 2510-2891
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