Section Six – Summary and Analysis: Beowulf and the Dragon

Beowulf has ruled his kingdom ably and peacefully for fifty years when a slave steals a precious cup belonging to a dragon. The dragon is the protector of a treasure hidden by “the keeper of rings,” the lone survivor of an extinct tribe. The dragon is provoked by this theft and attacks the countryside indiscriminately. At this juncture, the keeper of rings comments that anything that is extracted from the earth returns to it. He states that no one can escape death, thereby foreshadowing Beowulf’s impending death.

The poem reveals that the dragon, having protected the treasure for centuries without incident, is deeply enraged by the theft. The dragon’s violent rampage is the first upheaval in Beowulf’s reign.

The dragon, having chanced upon the treasure long ago, had decided willy-nilly to guard it. It is indeed strange that the dragon guards the treasure even though the original owners of the treasure have been long dead. In addition, the terror it unleashes on the countryside of Geatland for the theft of an insignificant object seems excessive and unjustified. The dragon’s reaction thus is arguably a comment on the relationship between wealth and violence.

Nobody in Geatland understands the motive behind the dragon’s fury. Beowulf wonders if the dragon’s terror could be God’s way of punishing him for some misdeed. However, this does not prevent him from taking measures to protect his subjects. Beowulf’s concerns about divine punishment are another illustration of the influence of Christian theology; the Old Testament states that God can also be a punishing force.

The poem compares the ways in which King Hrothgar and Beowulf handle the crisis that befalls their kingdoms. When Hrothgar is troubled by Grendel, he realizes that old age has weakened him and waits for a heroic warrior to arrive on the scene. He continues to rule his kingdom and protect his subjects from invasions. In contrast, Beowulf decides to fight the dragon himself despite his old age. He is confident that he can defeat the dragon, a feeling that could be construed as reckless and vain.

Beowulf’s victories can be credited not only to his muscular might but also his shrewdness. He had observed Grendel before confronting him; he had attacked Grendel strategically. When he fought Grendel’s mother, he carried his sword (Hrunting) and put on his armor. This time, he carries an iron shield, instead of his usual wooden shield, to protect himself from the dragon’s fire. Nonetheless, his advanced age has rendered him incapable of fighting the dragon. He lets pride influence his decisions; a tendency Hrothgar had cautioned against. The poet forewarns that Beowulf is going to die, and his death will leave Geatland without an able ruler.

Beowulf takes eleven warriors with him; he is also accompanied by the thief, who has been forced to join them. He guides them to the dragon’s lair. When Beowulf announces to his warriors that he intends to face the dragon all by himself, they do not object. They are likely lulled into confidence by his successes in the past.

At the entrance of the dragon’s lair, Beowulf delivers a speech to his warriors expressing confidence about his triumph. Simultaneously, he leaves instructions about the way his body should be disposed of if he were to die. He also draws up an autobiographical account. One of his maternal grandfather’s sons kills his brother, and the other son becomes king, but is also killed soon. The speech indicates that human life and kingship are short-lived. Beowulf recognizes that his physical prowess has diminished with age: he traces the course of his life from acts of bravery in his youth, to his elevation as king of Geatland, and briefly admits that he is not as strong as he used to be. However, he states that armor and sword should suffice.

The entrance to the dragon’s lair is blocked by flames. Beowulf calls out to the dragon, and a fight breaks out between them. Beowulf’s sword does not harm the dragon, and his iron shield does not offer much protection against the intensity of the dragon’s fire, leaving him with burns. Sensing defeat, ten of his warriors desert him. His loyal retainer, Wiglaf, stands by him. Feeling let down by the warriors, Wiglaf reminds them that Beowulf had provided for them and even rewarded them handsomely. Wiglaf’s reprimand fails to move the warriors, and he decides to risk his life to show fidelity to his master.

Though Wiglaf is not as battle-hardened as Beowulf, he sincerely plunges into the fight with the dragon. Braving the combined attack of Beowulf and Wiglaf, the dragon bites Beowulf in the neck. Wiglaf manages to injure the dragon with his sword. Ultimately, Beowulf guts the dragon. However, the burns and the bite prove fatal for Beowulf.

Beowulf dies with only Wiglaf by his side. He sees himself as Wiglaf’s godfather and appoints him as his heir. Accompanied by Wiglaf, he goes into the dragon’s lair and is impressed to see the treasure it had been guarding, lit by a strange light. He gives Wiglaf instructions about how to take care of his deceased body. In a symbolic gesture, he hands over his kingdom to Wiglaf by presenting him his ring, armor, and torque.