Pg. 151 (2216-2220): He had handled and removed.....people of that country would soon discover. - It is known that the treasure was first buried by nameless nobles, who protected it with a curse referred to near the end of the poem. It was later dug up and enjoyed for a time by men who gradually died out, leaving the final survivor to deposit the treasure in a barrow by the sea, and that is how the dragon discovers it. The dragon now thinks it belongs to him and will protect it.
Pg. 161 (2369-2379): There Hygd offered him throne and authority.....as the ruler of Geatland. - Even though Beowulf fit into the characteristics of a good king I think he refused this offer because he knows he is going to have to fight the dragon and could die. This would leave the Geats with no king or a very inexperienced one. He decides to just teach Hygelac's heir, Heardred.
Pg. 165 (2584-2586)): The glittering sword,....as it never should have. - Once again Beowulf uses a sword that has never failed but does not work for him. Although later on it says he is too strong for the sword and that is why it doesn't work but it could also fit into the suggestion of Beowulf being like God. This could fit in because of the idea of not using harmful destruction and weapons.
Pg. 183 (2702-2705): Once again the king....sharpened for battle. -This represents the connection between warriors and kings. Wiglaf is the only one that goes and helps Beowulf fight the dragon. He overcomes the flames and danger to go be by Beowulf side in defeating the dragon. He strikes the dragon and could have killed him but he leaves that honor to his king, Beowulf. He lets him deliver the fatal wound that kills the dragon because he knows how important it is to Beowulf to know that he killed the dragon and gets to claim the honor.
Pg. 185 (2743-2746): Go now quickly...feast your eyes on the hoard. - Beowulf wants to see the treasure he got from the dragon before he dies so he sends Wiglaf to go retrieve it. This is ironic because Beowulf dies thinking that the treasure he has won will benefit his people but because the Geats did not burn or bury all the treasure with Beowulf and left much of it undestroyed in the burial mound they will probably be punished because of the curse.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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When Beowulf refuses the kingship it is not because he foresees the dragon (which is still 50 years in the future) it is because he doesn't think that it is his place.
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