Loss Of Grendel's Glory In Beowulf '

During Beowulf’s life, his constant arrogance and overconfidence lead him to glory. In the end however, it is a fatal flaw that proves to be his downfall. His overall cockiness leads him to an easy victory over the monster Grendel, but Grendel’s defeat could be interpreted as pure luck. Then, in Beowulf’s second battle he is almost defeated when he chases Grendel’s mother down for the sake of personal glory, and barely escapes with his life. In his third and final battle, Beowulf’s confidence finally betrays him, and his luck runs out. He slays the dragon, but dies in battle, unable to see the glory he would have received. As soon as Beowulf is introduced, an air of confidence is ushered in alongside of him. He gives a speech to Hrothgar, …show more content…
The reason why his claim is lucky, is that unbeknownst to man, Grendel had been given a charm that repelled weapons. The only way anyone could possibly defeat the monster was through hand to hand combat. “Beowulf’s warriors worked to defend their lord’s life, laying about them as best they could with their ancestral blades...There was something that could not be known at the time, that no blade on earth, no blacksmith’s art could ever damage their demon opponent.” Lines 794-802
So through his own arrogance and a little luck, Beowulf received all of the glory for defeating Grendel. After the battle, he nailed the monster’s severed arm above the dining table to boast about his victory even more. To receive more attention and fame, he vowed to hunt down Grendel’s mother as …show more content…
Beowulf formed a party of soldiers and hunted her down to a lake. After a speech to heighten the importance of the moment, he dove in by himself. “The prince of the Weather-Geats was impatient to be away and plunged in suddenly.” Lines 1492-1493 While in the depths of the lake, he nearly loses his life. If he hadn’t found the sword of a giant in his time of need, he would’ve died for fame. On his way back from the battle, he discovers the body of Grendel, and to impress people even more, cuts off the head. “Beowulf in his fury now settled that score; he saw the monster in his resting place, a war weary and wrecked, a lifeless corpse, a casualty of the battle of Heorot. The body gaped at the blow dealt to it after death: Beowulf cut the corpse’s head off.” Lines 1584-1590 The glory that Beowulf receives for his accomplishments earns him the fame and glory he desired. He is now a hero throughout the land for saving Hrothgar’s kingdom. When he returns home, king Hygelac rewards him with the best sword in all of the Geat’s armory. When Hygelac dies in battle, Beowulf is rewarded the throne, and rules into old