BEOWULF :What a hero man
... to the evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat Grendel or die in the process. "Let me live in greatness...and courage," he says, "or here in this hall welcome...my death." Beowulf awaits the arrival of Grendel then goes on to defeat him and sends him back to the "fen" to die. Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf is more than an expression of thanks. For he states: "Let me take you to my heart" and "make you my son too..." When a heroic deed is done such as Beowulf has done, it is common practice for them to accept you into their family. Once again, the influence of Christianity shows in Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf. It was the "Almighty" who sent Beowulf and it was "with the Lord's help" that Beowulf was able to defeat Grendel. Hrothgar wants to make it known throughout the world that Beowulf is the strongest man alive and is a proven hero. It is the characteristics of agelessness and dedication that sets him apart from the other warriors, and makes him a truly heroic individual. Beowulf may have defeated Grendel, but his fighting days are not yet over. For Grendel's Mother is about to seek revenge. Another one of Beowulf's heroic deeds of kindness is seen when he goes after Grendel's mother even though that was not a part of the original "deal." Hrothgar is beside himself. "Anguish has descended on the Danes." (36) The king begs Beowulf to help him once again. Hrothgar is extremely upset by the death of his friend Aeschere. His speech to Beowulf shows how hurt he is. "...the grey-haired warrior, was sad at heart when he knew that his chief thane lay lifeless, that his dearest retainer was dead". (36) Beowulf's heroic reputation is more evident than ever when he consoles Hrothgar on the death of his friend. He offers his "services" once again by offering to kill Grendel's mother. Hrothgar, Grendel, and a few warriors set out and follow the monster's tracks until they reach the lake where the monsters live. "...they encountered Aeschere's head on the waterside cliff." (38) There, floating on the water, they see the remains of their friend, Aeschere. Beowulf prepares to go in and look for Grendel's mother. He tells Hrothgar that if he dies in the lake, he is to take care of his men and send his treasures to King Higlac, his "hometown" king. Here Beowulf once again shows the traits that makes him a true hero. That is, the consideration of others, generosity, and although seemingly impossible, his own mortality. Unlike past battles, there is no mention of God's help. Beowulf, in this battle, is relying on his own courage. When Grendel's mother appears to have they key to Beowulf's death, God interrupts the battle. It seems as if He was watching all along, as He does, waiting for the right moment to show whose side He is on. Following the feasts of celebration of the death of Grendel's mother, Beowulf and his troops set sail for their homeland. Beowulf is greeted with feasts and great displays of gratitude once he arrives back home to the Geats. Beowulf presents Higlac with the treasures he earned while fighting for Hrothgar. After Higlac dies and his son Herdred is killed in battle, Beowulf is given the throne and would rule over the Geats for the next fifty years. As Beowulf's rule nears an end, he will have to fight heroically for his country one more time. Once more Beowulf will prove his heroicalness when he fights a dragon even though he knows there is little chance that he will be victorious. As Grendel threatened the people of Hrothgar's kingdom, so does the dragon show his anger while Beowulf is king. Like Grendel, the dragon only strikes at night, burning down all the houses so that nothing is spared, not even Beowulf's hall or throne. Because of his character, When Beowulf finds out that his house has been destroyed, his first thought is that he did something to anger God, and he feels guilty. As Beowulf prepares to fight the dragon, he looks back at his youth and his battles against Grendel and Grendel's mother. "He who caused the trouble to begin with, a downcast captive, was the thirteenth man in the troop: he had to show hem the place humbly." (63) The thief who stole the dragon's cup leads Beowulf and his men to the dragon's cave. As Beowulf run's the battle through his mind, he once again looks back on his heroic life. He realizes that he's not as strong as he ...