1. The Fifty-First Dragon by Heywood Broun
... example, in the epic "Beowulf", Christianity is seen in the theme of good vs. evil. Beowulf, the good heroic figure battles three evil monsters, Grendel, the troll wife, and the dragon. Grendel, the monster, can also be a symbol of Christianity. He is said to be a descendent of Cain, a biblical figure, signifying fall from virtue. Beowulf himself can be seen as a Christ ... characteristic of this era is pagan beliefs. In "Beowulf", pagan elements can be seen in the three mythical creatures. Grendel and the troll-wife both exhibit superhuman powers. Also, the dragon is a common mythical ...
... revenge for the death of her son. Beowulf finally defeats Grendel's mother. In the third battle Beowulf has to fight a dragon that has wreaked havoc on the Geats society due to a servant that had stolen a golden goblet from his home. The dragon was defeated with the help of a young kinsman, Wiglaf, but not before biting Beowulf in the neck and eventually destroying ... wanted for killing Grendel, which was treasure but that in fact he gave all his treasure to the soldiers that did not even come to help him when fighting the dragon. This shows that he was not greedy in taking all the tre...
... revenge for the death of her son. Beowulf finally defeats Grendel's mother. In the third battle Beowulf has to fight a dragon that has wreaked havoc on the Geats society due to a servant that had stolen a golden goblet from his home. The dragon was defeated with the help of a young kinsman, Wiglaf, but not before biting Beowulf in the neck and eventually destroying ... wanted for killing Grendel, which was treasure but that in fact he gave all his treasure to the soldiers that did not even come to help him when fighting the dragon. This shows that he was not greedy in taking all the tre...
... be matched by any other at his time, for he was willing to fight even when he knew it would cost him his own life. When fighting the fire-breathing dragon, the dragon ". . . Caught the hero in a rush of flames and clamped sharp fangs into his neck. Beowulf's body ran wet with his life-blood: it came welling out." (89). Even after ... Beowulf is mortally wounded by the dragon, he keeps fighting and is able to bring down the dragon with a blow from his dagger. Beowulf's bravery, strength, and confidence are what made him a hero in his time. However, over time the concepts of heroes ... ...
... Knight with the Lion is the last story we read in Arthurian romances. It again tells the story of loyalty and adventure. Yvian saves the lion from the fire breathing dragon and the lion remains loyal to him for the rest of the story because of it. Yvian is a kind, generous knight, as most of them are, who encounters many events ... during his journey such as the fire breathing dragon, the knight at the spring, the demons, and the giant of the mountain. Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, is his faithful companion for most of the journey. Laudine ends ... of the three in Arthurian Romanc...
... and that is one reason they are considered heroes in medieval literature. Another quality that Beowulf, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lucan share is bravery. Before Beowulf's final battle with the dragon he is aware that he is no longer the same fierce, young warrior that he once been, but he remains brave and determined to slay the beast. In Beowulf's final ... boast he said, "I've known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now, but I will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me". Even though Sir Gawain's character shows qualities of wea...
... are directed by a power outside of their control. These pagans believe in a type of uncertain destiny that is ruled by fate alone. When Beowulf prepares for his fight with the dragon he displays this belief. Also when Beowulf fights Grendel's mother, it is not the strength of god that aids him in the fight, but rather a sword in her armory, an ... ...