Beowulf LRJ #3

Jessica Dudman
Ms. Peifer
10 IB
12-9-08
Many values in this tale are repeated and reinforced. One such values is that of personal bravery and pride. "I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away" (Heaney 2535-2537). This sort of ideal is very prevalent through out the story and shows the societies favoritism towards the overly brave. Another less prevalent one shown in this section is loyalty. "we pledged our loyalty to our lord in the hall, promised our ring-giver we would be worth our price" (2634-2626). Which is a bit odd for in many cultures loyalty to a leader is one of the most prevalent values.
This section of the story has some differences from the others. The most obvious ones are the fact that after this fight Beowulf dies, and he had assistance in defeating the monster. "he caught the hero in a rush of flame and clamped sharp fangs into his neck. Beowulf's body ran wet with his life-blood" (2690-2693). Beowulf's death befitted a hero like him. One of his kinsmen helped him defeat the dragon. "now the youth was to enter the line of battle with his lord" (2625-2626). The kinsmen made it possible for Beowulf to defeat the dragon but he had never need assistance before.
Beowulf lived his long life well by their values and he was given a death appropriate to that. "After many trials, he was destined to face the end of his days in this mortal world; as was the dragon" (2341-2343). This foreshadows that Beowulf and the dragon would kill one another which is a respectable death for a warrior with the added pride of being able to take down their foe with their last act on Earth. "for the king, this would be the last of his many labours and triumphs in the world" (2709-2711). This adds a kind of bittersweet tone but also implies that it was a good death.