The Beginning of My Battles

I am, Beowulf, the strongest of the Geats. I have “heard how Grendel filled nights with horror” (line 197). I am traveling with fourteen of the bravest and best of the Geats I could gather to the Danish shore where I shall go to their famous king, Hrothgar. We have just arrived and they are asking who we are and why we have come, so I shall tell them. “We are Geats, men who follow Higlac. My father was a famous soldier, known far and wide as a leader of men. His name was Edgetho.” (lines 260-263) The Danish warrior told us how to reach Hrothgar. We have made it to Hrothgar and I tell him why I have come. “Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request! I have come so far, o shelter of warriors and your people’s loved friend, that this one favor you should not refuse me that I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall. I have heard, too, that the monster’s scorn of my men is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none.” (lines 430-434) Hrothgar invited my men and I to a banquet in my honor to discuss the future. I am thrilled that Hrothgar has now granted my request.

Unferth

I, along with many others, am listening to Unferth and I can tell he is jealous that my glory and fame is greater than his own. He is telling me about my swimming match against Brecca. I am confused as to why he is telling me of my match with Brecca, seeing that I was in the match for myself! I am fully aware of Brecca’s doings but I shall very kindly and calmly tell him off. “Ah! Unferth, my friend, your face is hot with ale, and your tongue has tried to tell us about Brecca’s doings. But the truth is simple: no man swims in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine.” (lines 530-534) Does he not realize that I chose to stay at his side? Brecca could not, at any point, leave me behind or swim faster than I. Brecca and I remained together for five nights and we were only separated because of a flood. After we were separated, I was the one who fought off sea monsters who seized me and took me to the bottom of the sea. It was not Brecca who fought off sea monsters as I did. Brecca’s battles have never been as bold as the battles I have fought. Hrothgar is one of the people here and seems to be pleased, after hearing me respond to Unferth’s comments, and he is now as positive as I that the monster Grendel can and shall be killed.

The Fight With Grendel

Today I shall go to Herot and fight the monster named Grendel whom has killed many men. This monster has been killing men and effecting the Danes for far too long and must be put to an end. The men that have gone to fight him have never been successful, they have all been killed by this beast. Grendel does not use any weapons nor does he fear. Since he does not use weapons during his fights and does not fear, neither shall I. “Grendel is no braver, no stronger than I am! I could kill him with my sword; I shall not” (lines 677-678) I do not want people to think less of me if I have used weapons and he did not.

I am now waiting quietly in Herot, with many other men, waiting for Grendel to arrive. I can now  see him inside Herot looking at the hall and all of the warriors it contains. He snatched the first Geat he has come to and has ripped him apart and is drinking the blood from his viens. He has now tried clutching at me with his claws but I can tell from his reaction that he is stunned he has met a man whose hands are harder than his own. Grendel has attempted to flee but I must win this battle. I have stopped him from fleeing and now shall fasten his claws until his fists crack! The monster cannot just walk away from this battle! I have seited another opportunity to hurt him once again and with a firm grip on his arm have snapped it off. Grendel has left Herot severely injured and at last the battle is over. I have won the battle against the mighty Grendel and shall receive all of the honor and fame for doing so.

Me Versus Grendel's Mother

I am going to go fight the mother of the monster whom I previously defeated. The lake that I am going through to find Grendel’s mother, who lives in a watery hell, seems to go on forever. Finally I have discovered the bottom and Grendel’s greedy mother has discovered me. She is starting to attack me by clutching at me with her claws and scratching in vain at my ring-woven mail. I do not think she has yet realized that I am not an ordinary warrior. I am getting worried because she is dragging me into her home, I cannot free my sword, and other monsters have come to see what she has. I now freed my sword but I cannot get it to slice the skin of this monster, therefore I shall have to use my bare hands. I will not give up, “So fame comes to the men who mean to win it and care about nothing else!” (lines 1534-1536) I grabbed her and threw her to the floor. I was going to leap onto her but she got up and is tearing at me. I was so startled my feet stumbled and I fell, causing me to be helpless. The mail shirt on my chest has thankfully saved me from the blade she has attempted to end me with. I need a weapon to fight back with. As I look around I see only a “sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons” (lines 1558-1559). I quickly snatch it from its scabbard and cut her head off with all of my strength. I am thoroughly rejoicing at this sight. The battle is over although deep inside my heart continues to be filled with anger. I have repaid Grendel for his visits to Herot. Grendel is lying dead in his corner but, even though he is dead, I am so outraged I shall cut off his head just as I did his mother’s. I have swam back to the top of the lake where I see the Geats are waiting my arrival. We may now all rejoice that the battles against Grendel and his mother have come to an end!

My Final Battle

At last I have been defeated. Now here I sit in the next world with God, sitting at his throne. It started off as any other battle, me against the dragon. This beast had “Murderous flames, spreading them everywhere.” (line 2582) I attempted to kill the monster by striking my sword into its scaly hide but my sword failed me. “The ancient blade broke, bit into the monster’s skin, drew blood, but cracked and failed him before it went deep enough.” (lines 2577-2579) As soon as my sword had failed me I knew I was in trouble because I was without my weapon ,the one that helped me for so long, and the monster was now more mad than before! The dragon came at me breathing fire, after I fell back, and his flames surrounded me. I was severely suffering in the flames. There was nothing I could do as the dragon continued to breathe the flames. As for my brave and noble followers, they were extremely helpful when they ran away in fear for their lives. Only one of my comrades came to my aid. His name is Wiglaf, the son of Wexstan and a good soldier. Together we, Wiglaf and I, finished off the dragon. I came to fight the dragon to seek the treasure it had been guarding for so long. Since I was injured, weak, and on my death bed, Wiglaf went inside the cave and brought some of the dragon’s treasure to show me. I was gasping for air, knowing I would die at any moment, and told Wiglaf “For this, gold, these jewels, I thank our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth-for all of this, that His grace has given me, allowed me to bring to my people while breath still come to my lips. I sold my life for this treasure, and I sold it well. Take what I leave, Wiglaf, lead my people help them; my time is gone.” ( lines 2794-2801) I gave him my golden necklace, gold-covered helmet, rings, and mail shirt, moments after I gave him these things I died. I am now writing from the next world and I have to say I was saddened to leave my people behind. I am at peace knowing that my people are in the hands of Wiglaf, I know he will do what’s in the best interest for the people.