Beowulf’s Three Epic Battles

(Rebekah)Beowulf is stated to be the “mightiest man on earth” (197) in the Anglo-Saxon region during this time period. He was not only a prince, but a great warrior and hero. Beowulf had three significant battles in his life, all of which were fought to protect his people as well as others, with, of course, the added benefit of the glory and fame that comes with such great triumphs. After hearing of the torment King Hrothgar and his people had endured for twelve years at the hands of a monster known as Grendel, he set out on his journey to leave his home in Geats and travel to the land of Heorot and King Hrothgar’s aid. This is Beowulf’s first great battle. This battle takes place in the great hall of King Hrothgar. Beowulf and his men lay and waited for Grendel’s imminent strike. When Grendel attacked, Beowulf did too. Unfortunately, his men were unable to help him due to the fact that swords could not slice the creature’s skin. Grendel was able to retreat, but not before Beowulf twisted his arm, ripping it from his body. Grendel succumb to his fatal injury, but not before reaching his lair. This is where Grendel’s mother found him. The discovery of her son’s body stirred her rage and spurred her desire for vengeance, which leads to Beowulf’s second battle. Grendel’s mother, determined to reclaim her son’s missing limb and destroy those who have taken her child’s life, attacks the Danes inside the hall, killing Hrothgar’s trusted counselor and retrieved her son’s limb. Beowulf, once again, comes to Hrothgar’s aid. This second battle takes place in the mires near Heorot, in the lake where Grendel’s mother dwelt. This time, Beowulf fights with full armor. While he quickly realizes that his sword is useless against the she demon, his chainmail prevents him from being shredded by her claws and those of the other lake creatures. Fortunately, Beowulf grasp an ancient sword that rested in the lake demon’s collection and swung it at her, severing her neck and killing her instantly. Her poisonous blood melted the sword, leaving only the hilt in Beowulf’s hand. So, in true heroic fashion, Beowulf returned wielding the ancient sword hilt to present to king Hrothgar and the Grendel’s head to display in the great hall (1639).

            Beowulf’s last and final battle takes place fifty years later in his homeland of Geats, where he now sits as king. A dragon, woken and enraged by a would-be thief trying to steal the its gold, has wreaked havoc on the land with fire. Beowulf’s pride is still unyielding, and motivates him to face the “sky-plague” alone (2345-2347). Only one of Beowulf’s faithful men, Wiglaf, came to his aid. The length of this battle was longer that the other two and would prove to be Beowulf’s final act as a warrior. While Beowulf did strike the final blow, eviscerating the fiery serpent, he was ultimately consumed by the poison from the dragons claws that had dug in deep to his back.

            These three epic battles of Beowulf proclaim his bravery as a warrior and a king, but was ultimately his downfall. His desire for glory came only second to his efforts to rid the lands of ‘demons’ and to provide safety to his people.

Works Cited:

Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. 2000

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