What Is Significant about the Last Battle in Beowulf?
Beowulf is a hero of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, which is known for his bravery, love for his people and willingness to die for it. In his time it was considered worthy to die in battle than to live a long and happy life. Therefore, Beowulf as a true leader and warrior fights every time for life and death.
Beowulf entered into mortal combat with the evil three times. It is evil, not just an enemy, which is equal in strength, status, and endurance. His enemy was evil in various guises: Grendel and his mother, and the dragon. The courage and strength helped Beowulf to overcome Grendel and his mother, and protect his people. But the battle with the dragon caught the main character in the twilight of his valiant and glorious life when Beowulf was ready to leave this world in battle and earn Valhalla. The dragon was a worthy opponent. Beowulf fought to the last breath, despite the broken sword, deadly wound, and betrayal of his people (Abraham, 1993). His struggle can be considered as a feat in order to save and protect his people.
The last battle is significant in many respects. Despite the fact that the warriors were afraid of the dragon, and left their leader, Beowulf felt responsible for their lives and lives of his people. This heroic act deserves immense respect and glory. Also, this battle helped to understand and determine who in fact could become a worthy successor of Beowulf. After all, only Wiglaf remained faithful to his leader and helped him in battle. In addition, the dragon is also the embodiment of universal evil, with Beowulf has to fight. This distinguishes him from the rest of the warriors and raises to the rank of the hero (Lawson, 2016). In general, the final battle is a prime example of good and evil struggle in which, no matter what, the good wins.
Works Cited
Abraham, L. (1993). The Decorum of ‘Beowulf.’. Philological Quarterly, 72(3), 267. Retrieved from https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-15411924/the-decorum-of-beowulf
Beowulf (modern English translation) by Anonymous : The Poetry Foundation. (2016).
Poetryfoundation.org. Retrieved 7 April 2016, from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/180445
Lawson, R. (2016). Exclusive Medieval Articles – Beowulf: Recognizing the Past. Shadowedrealm.com. Retrieved 7 April 2016, from http://www.shadowedrealm.com/medieval-articles/exclusive/beowulf_recognizing_the_past
