The section of the poem beginning on page 72 and continuing to the end is much darker than the earlier parts of the poem. Select and discuss one event (or predicted event) that signals the decline of Beowulf and/or the Geatish clan. To what do you attribute this decline?
Beowulf's downfall is attributed to the slave's stealing of the cup from the dragon's lair. The dragon was guarding the treasure trove for more then a 100 years. The slave came and stole a cup from the dragon's treasure in order to make a plea to his lord. Once the dragon awoke, he was furious that a cup had been stolen from his treasure. He went on a rampage killing anyone in site and burning, with his fiery breath, all of the town. Then, the dragon retreated back to his den to hide during the day while the town was in flames. Beowulf's downfall is attributed to this event because it causes Beowulf to go from the well thought prince, to the impulsive, distraught prince. Beowulf becomes saddened and lines 2327-28 say "It threw the hero into a deep anguish and darkened his mood...". Beowulf was distraught over the loss of his town that he does not properly think out his battle against the dragon. Beowulf thinks he can beat the dragon easily. Beowulf thinks of his combat with Grendel and how he destroyed Grendel with only his hands. He knows that the timber and linden boards he has to stop the dragon will fail him in the end, but he thinks that his is tough enough to stop it without the help of an army. Beowulf senses his death and addresses the Geats for the last time saying “...as the king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning,” (2513-14). This shows that Beowulf knows he will not win but is going to fight the dragon in order to be able to boast that he has beaten the dragon. Beowulf is too proud to admit that he is not well prepared and is too distraught to beat the dragon causing his downfall.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this in that Beowulf’s pride consumes him. In lines 2535-2537 Beowulf states, “I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away.” He would rather die than return defeated to his people. Every hero has his folly and for Beowulf it was his vanity. The death of Beowulf seems appropriate though. He braved many battles and at the decline of his kingdom he for the first time felt grief and anguish over the destruction of his land by the hand of the dragon. His internal strife causes him to be foolish. Even a wise king, as he is described, can be tempted by the want for vengeance. As Beowulf is in the grips of the dragon he himself slays the dragon which forever immortalizes him. While it is a sad thing that Beowulf gives his life, Beowulf bests the beast and is the dragon slayer. As Beowulf reaches the twilight of his life on Earth he gives one last boast in lines 2739-2743, “All this consoles me, doomed as I am and sickening for death; because of my right ways, the Ruler of mankind need never blame me when the breath leaves my body for murder of kinsmen.” Beowulf recognizes himself as a saint to those who have come into contact with him. Though pride consumes Beowulf it does not bother him. He knows what he is, the champion of his enemies. In the end Beowulf achieved his personal goal and is forever remembered.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree somewhat with the two previous posters, Beowulf had become a bit too prideful, I believe the downfall of the Geats can be traced more readily to their cowardice. In line 2596 they broke ranks and left their lord to his horrible fate. “No help or backing was to be had then from the highborn comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran for their lives to the safety of the wood.” This not only shows cowardice but disloyalty. Beowulf had given them gold and provided for them when they needed him, and in his most dire hour they deserted their lord save one, Wiglaf. Wiglaf addressed his comrades with these words, “I remember a time when mead was flowing, how we pledged loyalty to our lord in the hall, promised our ring-giver we would be worth our price, make good the gift of the war-gear, those swords and helmets, as and when his need required it” (lines 2631-2638). Not only did they run like cowards, they took the helmets and swords given to them specifically by Beowulf with them. They did not use them to the purpose they had promised. Had they stayed behind to help their lord he might not have fallen to the dragon. This is directly shown in lines 2846-2847. They had let their lord down. This to me shows the fall of their war-like society. The word would spread fast of what had happened to Beowulf, and the Geats would be seen as cowards to all the enemies that surrounded them.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the first comment, Beowulf saw his life coming to an end. His days of battles of defeat have neared as Beowulf flashes back on his childhood (lines 2425-2434) and delivers a speech about the loss of Prince Herebeald. Beowulf is sharing this tale for a reason: he sees himself in Herebeald's place,dead. As he prepares for the fight against the dragon, he is no longer boastful nor so proud about his fighting. The lines 2516-2521 which reads, "Then he addresses each dear companion one final time, those fighters in their helmets, resolute and highborn: "I would rather not use a weapon if I knew another way to grabble with the dragon and make good my boast as I did against Grendel in days gone by," let's us readers know that he he will face defeat at the end, and that it is impossible to beat the dragon. Had Beowulf never fed into the stealing act of the cup, would he have been able to defeat the dragon? Perhaps so. However, Beowulf is of old age now and does not have the same strength and endurance as he once did in his noble,youth days. And as he saying his last few words in lines 2794-2801 he has yet again shown that he is a great leader and gives his treasures away to his people and demands that they are taken care after he is gone. Although it is a great loss for Beowulf's people, the heroic trait that was found in him will be carried on by Wiglaf.
ReplyDelete