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Beowulf – Parts 12 through 17. English IV Ms. Beauchamp’s Class. The Monster’s Mother. Beowulf leaps into the lake and, after several hours of sinking to the bottom, he finally sees the mud of the bottom.
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Beowulf – Parts 12 through 17 English IV Ms. Beauchamp’s Class
The Monster’s Mother • Beowulf leaps into the lake and, after several hours of sinking to the bottom, he finally sees the mud of the bottom. • Grendel’s mother sees him too, and clutches at him. She tears at him, but is unable to get through the mail shirt. • She carries him, armor and all, to her home at the bottom of the lake.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother • Beowulf tries to draw his sword, but cannot. • Other monsters are drawn by the struggle, and they too try to stab and tear at him. • Beowulf then realizes that he is underwater in a heat-resistant structure with a high-arching roof. • He sees the “mighty water witch” and tries to kill her with his sword, Hrunting (which belongs to Unferth).
The Battle (cont’d.) • Grendel’s mother tears and claws at Beowulf, biting holes in his helmet. • Since his sword is useless, he decides to use his bare hands against her. • He throws her to the floor, and she retaliates by tearing at him again. • She pins him to the floor and tries to stab him with a dagger; however, his mail shirt again protects him.
The Battle (cont’d.) • Beowulf knows that he would have died had it not been for his mail shirt and Holy God. • He sees a heavy magic sword hanging on the wall and lifts it high over his head. He cuts through her neck, bone and all, killing her. • A brilliant light shines, and Beowulf begins to look for Grendel. • He finds Grendel dead, lying in the corner, armless.
After The Battle • Beowulf cuts off Grendel’s head as revenge for the men he has killed, and carries it to King Hrothgar. • He then returns to his homeland, with all the treasure Hrothgar has given him.
The Final Battle • Beowulf becomes king of the Geats, and after 50 years, must face his final battle – with a dragon. • The dragon is angry because a thief has stolen a jeweled cup from his hoard of gold, and he is attacking the Geats in return.
The Final Battle • Beowulf and 11 warriors are guided to the dragon’s lair by the thief who stole the cup. • Beowulf says that he would not use a sword or shield if the dragon could be killed without them. However, he knows he will need these weapons. • He intends to stand firm against the dragon and not run from the flames.
The Final Battle (cont’d.) • He says that only he can defeat the dragon and, if he is successful, the dragon’s treasure will be his. • Beowulf then strides confidently toward the tower to meet the dragon. • He lowers a sword and roars out a battle cry. • The dragon hears him and knows a man has come to challenge him.
The Final Battle (cont’d.) • Beowulf unsheaths his sword and swings his shield into place in front of him at the entrance. • The dragon’s flames beat at the iron shield, which holds for a time, then begins to melt. • Beowulf knows his time has come to be defeated, but he strikes at the dragon and his blade breaks.
The Final Battle (cont’d.) • Beowulf stares at death as the dragon comes toward him. • The flames surround him and his warriors all flee, except for his faithful friend, Wiglaf. • Wiglaf draws his sword to help Beowulf kill the dragon and tells his comrades that they swore an oath to protect one another.
The Final Battle (cont’d.) • Wiglaf says that he would rather burn himself than to see the flames swirling around Beowulf. • Together, Beowulf and Wiglaf slay the dragon, but the king is mortally wounded. • He asks to see the dragon’s treasure. • Wiglaf enters the dragon’s lair and sees a vast priceless hoard of jewels and gold.
After the Final Battle • Wiglaf returns to Beowulf’s side and finds him gasping for breath. • The king’s dying words are for Wiglaf to have the Geats build a tower as a tomb for him. • He wants it to be called Beowulf’s Tower, so that all men will remember him and his deeds. • Beowulf gives his necklace, helmet, rings, and mail shirt to Wiglaf and tells him to use them well.
After the Final Battle (cont’d.) • Wiglaf speaks harshly to the faithless warriors who did not help Beowulf. • The Geats cremate the body of Beowulf and place his ashes in the tower by the sea, as requested byBeowulf. • The dragon’s treasure is buried there with him. • 12 of the bravest Geats ride around the tower, mourning their beloved leader, saying that no one else is so deserving of praise.