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The Dragon In Beowulf

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The last fight Beowulf faces before his tragic death is against the “slick-skinned dragon” (2274). Although it is not mentioned that it (the dragon) is one of the “[enemies] of mankind,” its actions of terrorizing the people are out of revenge, just like Grendel and his mother (1275). Over time this dragon becomes the warden to “the heathen trove” (2217), thus claiming the treasures as his own. When a man trespasses and steals the gem-studded goblet, the dragon sees it as stealing what is rightfully its, without being replayed. Thus, “the intruder [unleashes] its fury,” starting the dragon’s reign of fury as an action to gain of justice (2280-1). The dragon never receives a repayment for his stolen property, similar to Grendel’s mother, and

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