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Beowulf and the Three Monsters

 

            In the book Beowulf, the hero Beowulf managed to kill three fierce monsters: Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. However, the three battles differed from each other as Beowulf had been through more, becoming older, weaker and more prudent. The last battle against the dragon led to Beowulfs death. It is a symbol of the fall of the age of hero, the spirit of facing death with bravery. .
             Unlike the battle with Grendel when Beowulf was still young and ambitious, the battle with the dragon showed Beowulfs weakness, discreetness and courage. In his fight with Grendel, Beowulf alone used his bare hands to tear off Grendels arm without hesitation. It was a victory without suspense. However, facing the dragon, which was actually weaker than Grendel, Beowulf wore arms with a huge shield and even took eleven warriors with him. He was an old man then, unable to attack impulsively and arrogantly any more. Life experience taught him prudence, and he knew his death was coming. In the battle, Beowulf even failed to use his sword, and ended with incurable wounds on himself. Time and fate were fair. He no longer owned the strength, and eventually he went through everybody had to go through death. Another difference between the two battles is the causes. For the first one with Grendel, Beowulf stood on the absolutely justified side as Grendel hurt people without reason. However, the dragon in the last battle had a justifiable reason a slave stole its gold and Beowulf decided to fight against it for protecting his citizens. As Beowulf had been through more, the event happening in his life became more complicated: it was no longer only about right or wrong, but more depending on ones own judgment. Eventually, Beowulf took control of his life, but he did have to choose between ambiguous options. .
             Although Beowulfs last battle caused his death, his spirit was eulogized everlastingly. As he knew the inevitable end of his life was coming, his sense of responsibility for his nation drove him to contend against the evil.


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