... also belongs to a separate realm from civilization, as we'll see in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Beowulf's battle with the dragon is an interesting counterpart to these two. The dragon guarded a treasure, yes, but that treasure was actually the last remnant of a dead civilization. The poet describes the last survivor of ... and to appreciate the music from their instruments. Somehow, when you have the items without the people, that's where the dragon comes in. The dragon is the antithesis of civilization because he hoards the items that he cannot even use. Beowulf goes into the figh...

• Word Count: 3189
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 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 ...

• Word Count: 2920
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... pagan idols (36). Beowulf would fight with magical swords, underwater, surrounded by monsters against Grendel's evil mother. Later, when he is older, Beowulf would fight a dragon, a normally pagan creature (79). Though, Christianity does tacitly recognize the dragon since the patron saint of England is St. George, "the Dragonslayer." Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the work of an anonymous author from ... ...

• Word Count: 2583
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School