Beowulf's challenge would finally come, and would soon find out that heroism has a price. Beowulf had just become king. The days of Geatland had been smooth for the last fifty years, but one day things changed. A dragon had begun to jeopardize the security of the kingdom. Our overly prideful and pompous king considered the threats of the dragon somewhat of a personal challenge, as he had prided himself in maintaining the considerable comfort in the kingdom for the last half century. So it seems that Beowulf decided to attempt to slay the dragon. I was appalled at this decision, considering his age. Beowulf stated "I am old, now, but I will fight again, seek fame still. If the dragon hiding in his tower dares to face me. I'd use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be killed without it, crushed to death like Grendel, gripped in my hands and torn limb from limb.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf is written in al...
An illustration of Grendel by J.R. Skelton from St...
English: An illustration of Beowulf fighting the d...But this breath will be burning hot; poison will pour from his tongue. I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armor, against this monster: when he comes to me I mean to stand, not run from his shooting flames, stand till fate decided which of us wins. My heart is firm, my hands calm: I need no hot words. Wait for me close by, my friends. We shall see, soon, who will survive this bloody battle, stand when the fighting is done. No one else could do what I mean to, here, no man but me could hope to defeat this monster. No one could try. And this dragon's treasure, his gold and everything hidden in that tower, will be mine or war will sweep me to a bitter death!" What a fool he was! This washed-up, has been, conceited...