funnily enough with a podcast i was listening to yesterday made by a music blogger, who did a 20 minute podcast on the 12 bar blues https://goodmusicspeaks.wordpress.com/good-music-speaks-podcast-3/. Many critics and teachers believe that Beowulf contains themes that are relevant to modern life. 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. What qualities characterize Beowulf as a hero? When Beowulf tracks her to the mere and ends up in her underwater cave, he has no more interest in the claw. Log in here. [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. 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. In northern literature there are only two that are significant we have but the dragon of the Vlsungs, Ffnir, and Beowulf's bane. 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? I cant quite read the Old English, but I love to read the different translations. In his death-speech, Beowulf nominates Wiglaf as his heir and asks for a monument to be built for him on the shoreline. Ohthere and Onela Ongentheow's sons, Swedes. 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. Beowulf gives his life defeating the dragon and gaining this impressive treasure for his people, but they won't benefit from it either. 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. An Interesting Summary | the shadows illuminated, https://goodmusicspeaks.wordpress.com/good-music-speaks-podcast-3/. Although he is now an old man, Beowulf believes that he can defeat the dragon by himself. But the anecdote of the Last Survivor, which tells how the gold came to be buried in the barrow, demonstrates a different ethos. Teachers and parents! This is a matter of some conjecture, with guesses ranging anywhere between the eighth century and the first half of the eleventh century. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# 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. Grendel and his mother, then, are similarly outcasts, something that has been rejected by mainstream society and whose violence must be overcome. Grave Goods: An archeological and anthropological term, grave goods merely describe any objects buried with a body. [22], Beowulf's eventual death from the dragon presages "warfare, death, and darkness" for his Geats. It is set in Denmark, has a Swedish hero, and when read in the original Anglo-Saxon seems almost more German than English. To a greater or lesser extent, it can be seen in much modern fantasy fiction such as that by Tolkien. on 50-99 accounts. 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. Before he dies, Beowulf gives Wiglaf his golden necklace, Well, yes though for a while the chances of Beowulf triumphing are looking less and less likely. They are 'inmates of hell', 'adversaries of God', 'offspring of Cain', 'enemies of mankind'.And so Beowulf, for all that he moves in the world of the primitive Heroic Age of the Germans, nevertheless is almost a Christian knight". Not just Beowulf's own life is at stake. 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. [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. 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. And funnily enough, listening to a Mozart piano concerto, the same pattern was in the phrases, with the third line, the variation, leading of course to a musical resolution /transformation which enables the lead on the the complete next stage so, in this, there is Beowulf triumphs, Beowulf triumphs again, Beowulf triumphs but in this third phrase his phrase resolves with transformation/death. The central section is the killing of the monsters. 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 contrast drawn between Hrothgar, who earlier calls on the young Beowulf to eradicate Grendel, and the now old Beowulf, who enlists no such help against the dragon, accentuates Beowulfs valor and instills in us a confidence that Beowulf is still mighty enough to eradicate a menacing foe. 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. The problem starts when a fugitive, apparently a runaway slave, stumbles across the It begins to emerge nightly from its barrow to torment the countryside, still seething with rage at the theft. WebIn 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. 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. for a group? Once the dragon found out that a piece of his treasure was missing, he left his shelter where his treasures were and flew out over the land, burning things as he rested. Seamus Heaney, Translators Introduction, pp. Historical Context Essay: Christianity in Anglo-Saxon Society, Literary Context Essay: Old English Poetry. "What happens to the dragon's hoard?" Yet Beowulfs premonition of his own death attests to his strong sense of fate, an important component of these characters self-conceptions. Years pass. The dragon fight, near the end of the poem, is foreshadowed in earlier scenes. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. He devotes his life to guarding a treasure that he frankly has no use for. The dragon's treasure-trove poignantly represents the vanity of human wishes as well as the mutability of time. WebWhat happens to the dragon's treasure in Beowulf? The foe he faces is no ordinary foe, and conventional weapons are powerless against it. As the anonymous messenger In Heorot, Hrothgar celebrates his victories and rewards his thanes (warriors) with various treasures. Beowulf declined, however, not wanting to disturb the order of succession. . The poem ends with Beowulfs burial at sea, which is described in much detail why this might be is discussed below. Onela killed Geat King Heardred. Pingback: Happy Tolkien Reading Day! 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. 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.". 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. No? swift roan Horses played an important role among the royalty, but most of the fighting was executed on foot. [24] Before he faces the dragon, Beowulf thinks of his past: his childhood and wars the Geats endured during that period, foreshadowing the future. Tolkien also argued that the poem is not an epic but anelegy, ending as it does with the moving account of its heros funeral. All the treasure that the dragon had was put on a ship with Despite the odds being stacked against him, he manages to overcome the monster, to borrow Christopher Bookers phrase for this type of narrative. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! After Beowulf dies, his followers show up. Beowulf, despite his tendency to boast a bit (isnt that where we get kennings? Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. People from neighboring tribes have respectfully contributed to the rich decorations and intricate designs. Ace your assignments with our guide to Beowulf! WebThe defeat of his people had left the treasures to deteriorate. In his last moments, Beowulf focuses more on his good qualities as a king than as a warrior. Central Idea Essay: Honor Codes & Heroism. [38] W. P. Ker criticized the inclusion of Beowulf's fight with the dragon and his subsequent death in the poem, writing "It is as if to the end of the Odyssey there had been added some later books telling in full of the old age of Odysseus, far from the sea, and his death at the hands of Telegonus". . Time passes, and Hygelac dies in battle with the Franks. 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. He carefully buried the precious objects, lamenting all the while his lonely state. Reblogged this on Willow's Corner and commented: When was Beowulfwritten? Ive had the Heaney translation on my shelves for years, but your post has piqued my interest. 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. As poetry, one of the most moving passages in the epic is the Keeper's invocation as he leaves the gold and other items in the barrow (2247-2266). [5] Moreover, the dragon is vanquished through Wiglaf's actions: although Beowulf dies fighting the dragon, the dragon dies at the hand of the companion. 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). Instant downloads of all 1725 LitChart PDFs Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. But this time, hand-to-hand fighting, which had proved handy against Grendel, is equally useless. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! On the cliff outside the barrow, Beowulf speaks to his men, recounting his youth as a ward in King Hrethels court. In the Septuagint, Job's monster is characterized as a draco, and identified with the devil. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. 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). these shall the fire eat,/the blaze enfold--nor shall an earl wear these|rings as reminders, nor a fair maiden/wrap her throat/in a ring adornment, . The bee theory appears unlikely, however as does the idea that it is from the same root as our word bear, suggesting bearlike strength. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. The intruder, a slave on the run from a hard-handed master, intends no harm by his theft and flees in a panic with the goblet. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. -Graham S. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. From beginning to end, the tone of this section is one of death and doom. 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. We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. [12], The fire is likely symbolic of the hellfire of the devil, reminiscent of the monster in the Book of Job. A great post on one of my favorite works. Hetware technically, the Chattuarii; here indistinguishable from Frisians; joined with Franks against Hygelac. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. In addition, the poem Havamal also speaks of how everyone must die, except a mans reputation. It left Beowulf to do the seeking out". 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. Removing #book# Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaneys translation in particular equates Beowulf with the dragon, another other figure, in a way that is not replicated by the other translators to emphasize Beowulfs role as a distinct hero. This is a great commentary on the story of Beowulf. [2] Nonetheless, comparative contemporary narratives did not have the complexity and distinctive elements written into Beowulf's dragon scene. I wanted to share it with you all. 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. Latest answer posted October 01, 2013 at 4:34:04 PM. [28] As king of his people, Beowulf defends them against the dragon, and when his thanes desert him, the poem shows the disintegration of a "heroic society" which "depends upon the honouring of mutual obligations between lord and thane". [11] Also, the Beowulf poet created a dragon with specific traits: a nocturnal, treasure-hoarding, inquisitive, vengeful, fire-breathing creature. It was only rescued from obscurity in 1815, when an Icelandic-Danish scholar named Thorkelin printed an edition of the poem. 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. Why does Beowulf want to see the treasure? 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. (For more on Tolkien, have a read of our five fascinating facts about him.). Thus, the poem gives us the feeling that this clash can end only in total destruction. But hand-to-hand combat which was deployed successfully in the vanquishing of Grendel is also of no use now. In this anecdote, the Beowulf poet seems to have given the pagan ethos a fairly sympathetic and even-handed treatment. Both monsters have now been slain, and Beowulf is a hero. But this much constitutes a reasonably complete summary of the plot ofBeowulf. At this point, we assume that the gold hoard will be taken out of the dragon's barrow and put to use. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Instant PDF downloads. 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. In The dragon fight ends Beowulf, while Tolkien uses the dragon motif (and the dragon's love for treasure) to trigger a chain of events in The Hobbit. But this action has consequences, and is in fact merely the prologue to a bigger conflict that must take place: that between Beowulf and Grendels mother. . 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. The poet has no reservations about giving away his ending. 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). [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". Beowulf is a classic overcoming the monster story. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. and any corresponding bookmarks? Beowulf could have become king sooner but was more loyal than ambitious. Why did the Danes bury the treasure that Beowulf and Wiglaf recovered from the dragon? The circumstances surrounding and leading up to Beowulfs confrontation with the dragon prepare us for a climactic spectacle. Grendel flees, eventually dying of his wound. Latest answer posted August 24, 2018 at 7:08:52 AM, Latest answer posted October 27, 2017 at 8:44:42 AM. Although he has been given a strong sword (named Hrunting) by Unferth (a man who had previously doubted Beowulf the sword is given as a token of friendship), Beowulf finds this sword useless against Grendels mother. 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. Eadgils and Eanmund Ohthere's sons, Swedes. Interesting Literature is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.co.uk. [37] Raymond Wilson Chambers, in his Beowulf: An Introduction to the Study of the Poem with a Discussion of the Stories of Offa and Finn, says that Beowulf's dragon acts like "the typical dragon of Old English proverbial lore" because he guards treasure. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. No, it turns out that the first part of Beowulfs name is more probably related to a pre-Christian god named Beow. This is why it is odd that the story of the poem is generally thought of as Beowulf versus Grendel. Not that it refused to fight when challenged, but that it did not seek out Beowulf or anyone else. PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Three funerals are described in Beowulf. They certainly are not welcome at Heorot, and they know it. Previous This is available in the Norton Critical Edition of. Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules well for 50 years. But this next conflict will prove even more difficult: as well as swords being useless, the strong sword (Hrunting) given to Beowulf by Unferth will also be powerless against Grendels mother. So, the warriors end up building Beowulf his funeral pyre and burying the dragon's hoard with his ashes. . The dragon itself acts as a mock "gold-king"; one who sees attacking Beowulf's kingdom as suitable retribution for the theft of just a single cup. Whose funerals are they? What happens to the treasure in Beowulf? Ruler's favor God's preference. He tells us that the stewards sleep who once burnished battle-masks. The tribe's fortunes have turned. Critics cant even agree on what the first line of the poem means. (Immunity to swords evidently runs in the family.) They wish each other luck in the fight that will follow, and Beowulf has a premonition of his own death. They took the metals from the earth, and the Keeper now returns the treasures to it. He is the protector of his people and almost immediately begins preparations to fight the dragon. Courageous and determined, if not quite the man he once was, the old warrior sets off. The problem is that Beowulf was a young man during those glorious battles. Beowulf and his men spend the night at Heorot and wait for Grendel to turn up. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. 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. 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. WebWhat happens with the dragon's treasure at the end of the story, and what could this symbolize? The unknown ancestor who buries the treasure, for example, behaves as mournfully as if he were actually burying his deceased kinsmenor, indeed, himself. You can view our. . In a parallel that cannot be missed, the dragon does the same, in a slightly different way, to Beowulf. Can he still save the day, when everything he tries seems to be of no avail? The hero takes it upon himself to save the kingdom at immense personal risk to himself. Hygelac fell while Beowulf survived thanks to his great strength and swimming ability. 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 Already a member? He believes that he has somehow offended God. The defeat of his people had left the treasures to deteriorate. He remembers victories against Grendel and Grendel's mother, as well as a heroic escape from Frisia after Hygelac was killed. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. 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. Now, ready to face one last adversary, Beowulf gathers eleven men to investigate the area. The throne comes to Beowulf, who PDF downloads of all 1725 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. He ignores the vast treasure in the cave, instead choosing to carry the magnificent, huge head as symbolic of his victory over both ogres. Were here to offer a brief overview of the plot ofBeowulf, along with some interpretations of the poem. However, in order to be recognized as heroic hero, Beowulf must participate in society in some meaningful way. [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. Dickerson and O'Hara further elaborated that through its dragon, Beowulf turned the "notion of having a monstrous evil (and not mere human foes) as the enemy" into "a hallmark of modern fantasy" present in C. S. Lewis' Narnia books, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea books, and the Thomas Covenant series by Stephen Donaldson. The lengthy passages of recapitulation and reminiscence fill in the details of Beowulfs political biography. But the poem doesnt begin with Beowulf. He even burns the house of Beowulf, which houses the throne. 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.". PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 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. xxiii-xxxvii. Complete your free account to request a guide. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1725 titles we cover. Much of this section is retrospective and nostalgic, as Beowulf, sensing that his end is near, feels compelled to rehearse the story of his distinguished life. 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. Filled with grief and rage, she retrieves the arm from Heorot and kills another Scylding in the process. . 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. When the monster appears, Beowulf and his men attack the troll-like monster with their swords. WebThe dragon is the final test for Beowulf, a test of his wisdom as well as his courage. Renews May 8, 2023 TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. He begins to plot his revenge. eNotes Editorial, 16 Sep. 2016, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-happens-dragons-hoard-330006. Beowulf is indeed a fascinating work and I always look forward to introducing my students to this foundation of hero motifs. "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 discover the thief who stole the dragons goblet and press him to take them to the barrow. WebThe Danes bury the treasure because this was one of Beowulf's last commands before dying after fighting the dragon. 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. All are mentioned, probably because the poet borrowed from various influences in creating the poem. 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). And anyone whos a Tolkien fan should read his essay. So he does what lesser men would fear to do: he wrestles the monster with his bare hands, eventually tearing off one of its arms. $24.99 When Grendel's mother is able to fight Beowulf in the cave, she has a distinct advantage; his victory is all the more significant. What happens in Beowulf, the jewel in the crown of Anglo-Saxon poetry? 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). Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Sometimes God and wyrd are virtually interchangeable in the poem, possibly the result of Christian substitution. [6] Beowulf preserves existing medieval dragon-lore, most notably in the extended digression recounting the Sigurd/Fafnir tale. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Time is out of joint as the poet reveals the events leading up to Beowulf's becoming king. The hall is also symbolic in that it is the setting of Beowulf's first great battle, the defeat of Grendel. It is only as a means of creating bonds in society that treasure has value. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The gables are shaped like horns of the hart. Major Symbols in. creating and saving your own notes as you read. the language of the Angles and Saxons from north Germany)wasOld English (the two terms are used synonymously), and at the very latest the poem was written down some time in the early eleventh century, before 1066 and the Norman invasion, which would bring many French words into English and would pave the way for Middle English (or the English of the Middle Ages).