Beowulf and Dragon Fight - Essay Example

In the dragon fight, Beowulf does hold the fate of his kingdom in his hands. Beowulf does not think he will survive the battle. Both Beowulf and Roland anticipate death in their final battle. The difference was Beowulf knew he had to kill the dragon before he died, whereas Roland went into battle with a more stubborn attitude. Beowulf knew he was the last defense against the dragon, but Roland knew that he was fighting in only one of Charlemagne’s regiment. These factors did create a change in attitude for both men. Beowulf had a more serious attitude than Roland going into the fight with the dragon. Beowulf had faced evil before. An example is: Standing against the face of evil, Beowulf protects the united community of man and does not allow the division and emptiness that are born from the soul of the vile beast Grendel to ravage the halls of Heorot any longer. Resisting Grendel’s savage attack on human solidarity, Beowulf takes up the defense of Heorot and the case of every nation whose name was so poignantly placed upon the high walls of this great hall of men. (Young 2006) The defense of Heorot was successful. Beowulf has fought tremendous battles before. He understood what fighting and death consisted of. This might have had an impression on Beowulf as he went to face the dragon. Roland also went into his battle as an experienced soldier. Roland knew he could beat the Muslims. In fact, Roland’s overconfidence causes his death. Oliver counsels Roland to blow his oliphant horn, to call back Charlemagnes main force, but Roland refuses. The Franks fight valiantly, but in the end they are killed to the man. Roland blows his oliphant so that Charlemagne will return and avenge them. (Borey 2006) If Roland would have blown his horn, relief could have come in time. However, his pride and arrogance caused his death. Another aspect concerning the attitudes of Beowulf and Roland is the reason behind the last battles. Beowulf had to fight a dragon that was going to destroy his kingdom. This evil would not stop unless Beowulf stopped it. The dragon was: The poet calls the dragon alternately “se g Read More