How Does Beowulf Show Dominance

The Struggle for Dominance
The struggle for dominance is an ever present factor in the epic poem, Beowulf. The character of Beowulf is the arrogant hero who constantly struggles to overpower everyone who challenges him. Anyone who decides to challenge the mighty hero meets a brutal end. Beowulf decides to prove his dominance over the foul beast Grendel in search of fame and glory. Beowulf has encountered many great foes and bested all of them, however; Beowulf proves his dominance over any foe after defeating the great ogre, Grendel. The author uses Beowulf’s struggle for dominance to move the action of the poem. Beowulf’s constant need to prove his power is the force that moves the story forward. Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar when he hears of the monstrous ogre Grendel who terrorises the people of Heorot. Upon his arrival, he proudly lists his vast accomplishments as a great hero. He declares that he has “battled and bound five beasts, Raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea …show more content…
Beowulf believes that he is a match for any foe, including one which is the demon descendant of Cain. Neither Beowulf nor his men believe that “he would ever see His homeland again or get back To his native place and the people who reared him,” (lines 691-693), but Beowulf wants the glory of proving his dominance over the undefeatable monster in order to add to the already impressive reputation which he has created for himself. Should he prove his might over that of Grendel, Beowulf would gain the glory he so greatly