Epic poems usually tell stories that are of great importance to the cultures represented, and Beowulf is no different. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. Beowulf is challenged by Unferth, one of Hrothgar's warriors who doubts him. All those who see the way he carries himself immediately assume, quite correctly, that he must be noble, strong, and wise. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. The poem offers a nod to the power of cooperation as the two together defeat the dragon, although Beowulf is fatally wounded., The poem ends with Beowulf's burial in Geatland. As with other stories related to leadership, discussions of the Beowulf narrative, in our opinion, exemplifies well what Colvin (2003), in his endorsement of leadership studies in liberal education, calls the symbiotic relationship between liberal education and leadership studies (p. 34). Who is Beowulf and what is Beowulf about? Print. Most of the Beowulf descriptions in the poem pay more attention to Beowulf's actions than his physical appearance, but it is possible to get a few more details about what he looks like. Then there is Grendel's mom who is stronger, wiser, and repellant to Beowulf's sword. He is absolutely fearless and supremely confident in his own abilities. In Beowulf he has to face many monsters that have huge potential to kill the ordinary person. He displays courage and loyalty in helping Beowulf defeat the dragon, which is why he is named the next leader. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. Such characters are usually found in epic poetry and they tend to have various shared traits. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. It spared her and failed the man in need (Heaney 1522-1525). The case in Beowulf is quite different, however, in that nobody is claiming nor is likely to claim the throne. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgors people. A funeral pyre is built, and as Beowulf and the dragons treasure are consumed by the flames, an old woman bewails their loss and looks gloomily into the future, for surely, now the Geatish people will suffer invasion, enslavement, debasement, and death. For instance, Virgils Aeneid tells the story of Romes legendary founder Aeneas in order to examine the limitations of Although Beowulfs thanes attempt to subdue the monster, their efforts are useless. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.oclc.org/research/top1000/complete.htm. What Are the Good & Evil Forces in "The Epic of Gilgamesh"? succeed. Although Beowulf wounds the dragon, he is himself mortally wounded. Conger, J. Cartwright, S. (2002). What Is the Resolution of the Poem "Beowulf"? In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. He meets unnatural phenomena. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. In a heroic epic, the warrior protagonist sets a moral example: through his story, the value and meaning of a societys ethical code can be examined. Before dying, Beowulf told Wiglaf his last remaining wishes., There is one soldier that decides to stay and be loyal to Beowulf. | 3 Author of Beowulf History & Theories | Who Wrote Beowulf? By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. The dragon was gold, beautiful, at that moment he knew he had just killed his son. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. Beowulf demonstrates his selflessness by risking his life for people who were complete strangers but needed his help. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://anyassignment.com/philosophy/ethics-and-beowulf-assignment-29265/, Murder in the cathedral as a poetic drama Assignment, Why Beowulf is a Work of Christian Propaganda Assignment, Operation Technology Management Assignment, Staircase to Strategic Management Assignment. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the idea of a fatal flaw implies that the person who has the flaw will ultimately be punished for it or will learn from their mistakes. The hero is valiant, strong, noble, and mighty, a legend in his own time and loyal to his leader Hygelac. Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 5. Unferth, jealous of Beowulf's strength, taunts him by bringing up a race that Beowulf lost. Getting revenge vs. mourning B. In the poem Beowulf ,the character, Beowulf, is an example of a true epic hero, who fights with a powerful monster and saves Horthgors people. However, the grim fate of the Geatish people at the demise of their king invites questions about relying upon charismatic leaders such as Beowulf as models of leadership. Downplaying one's accomplishments was no way to win fame and fortune, so it was expected that Beowulf would think highly of himself given his physical abilities. By continuing well assume you Although the heroic epic Beowulf was composed in Old English, it deals not with native Englishmen for whom the poem was written but with their Germanic ancestors of around the sixth century. To put this battles together you see all the different contrastment through both sources., The Decline of Moral Ethics Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, eternal rewards. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. Presently we are at the confluence of major cultural currents that bring the elements of the Beowulf story to the forefront of popular appeal. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Within the last three decades, charisma has in organizational studies become associated with the concept of transformational leadership, elucidated by Burns in his 1978 book Leadership. As the fight with the dragon got tougher for Beowulf to fight by himself. Second, as mentioned above, Anglo-Saxon readers would not have seen Beowulf's arrogance as a flaw at all. What Is the Setting of the Poem "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways"? Lucky Wiglaf stayed loyal and tried to fight the dragon by stabbing him, in turn the dragon takes Wiglaf 's hand. In the modern organization, the question of who or what will take the place of the charismatic leader should be on the minds of all those responsible for seeing the organization live long and prosper, especially if relying upon leaders Increasingly over time, Beowulf was influenced by Christianity to include Gods help in order to remain moral and win battles of good vs. evil. However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. The popularity of the Beowulf story in particular is evident in light of its numerous translations, editions, audio renditions, and films over the past several decades. Hrothgar recalls, Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance (472). In the mead hall of Heorot on the first night, after introductions, drinking, and boasting, the Danish King Hrothgar and his retainers go to their bedchambers while the visiting warriors bed down in the mead hall. Luckily, FreeBookSummary offers study guides on over 1000 top books from students curricula! The moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. 8 chapters | Would Google be able to survive the loss of either Larry Page or Sergei Brin, or both of them? He explains that he and Breca were attacked by sea creatures and that it was Beowulf who fought them off to keep Breca safe, at great risk to his own life and in a show of extraordinary battle prowess. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(2), 146-165. The moral presented in the epic poem Beowulf is the recognition that human destiny is controlled by God. (Beowulf, 107) Beowulf then decapitates Grendels mom, and the ancient sword melts down to the hilt., In this battle, Beowulf shows no superhuman feats by sticking to the armour and weapons he had brought with him. All of Beowulfs actions are clearly motivated by loyalty, starting with his decision to help the Danes. This kills Grendel, and the monster's mother attacks the hall in revenge; she is also killed by Beowulf in her lair beneath the marsh. Grendel, the monster, is represented as being larger than a man and stronger than a dozen men. Then suddenly Beowulf speckled a magical giant sword he decided to use it to cut through the mother spine killing her. The work deals with events of the early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some scholars believe that it was written in the 8th century. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. With several of his thanes he goes to draw it out and kill it. At the victory celebration that evening in Heorot, King Hrothgar gives fabulous gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. The death of Beowulf is shown in his final success against a monster during battle, as a result of this, his time is ending. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. Beowulf Hero Characteristics | What Makes Beowulf a Hero? Only one of his warriors, named Wiglaf, stays behind to help, a scene that stresses loyalty and friendship. Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulfs death. Beowulf is ethical in the way he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel. Beowulf is an epic that came out of a warrior culture and was used not solely to entertain but also to teach the moral thinking of this culture (Chickering 86). ? OCLC Research (2005) OCLC top 1000: Complete list 2005. Setting in Beowulf | Where Does Beowulf Take Place? In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. Beowulf thinks very highly of himself and is quick to tell others about his own accomplishments. Napierkowski, T. (2005). Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. Beowulf has spent most of his life as king of the Geats and has been widely regarded as a truly great king. In addition to being tall, Beowulf is prodigiously strong. Every tribe is centered around a king, who is also called a "ring-giver." Beowulfs father once started a feud, which Hrothgar helped to end. Beowulf immediately counters Unferth's accusations, saying, ''The truth is this: / When the going was heavy in those high waves, / I was the strongest swimmer of all.'' Dissolution of an unsuccessful group often meant very unpleasant outcomes for the individual members. At the beginning of the poem we met a young arrogant Beowulf who, at the end of the poem, became a great king who perished for his people. The next morning, Beowulf, who had not slept at Heorot the previous night, vows to avenge the death. His sword provided by Unferth fails him. Geats in Beowulf | Summary, Analysis & Significance, Quotes About Bravery in Beowulf | Importance, Examples & Analysis, Symbolism in Beowulf | Symbols, Importance & Examples, Characteristics of Beowulf as a Tragic Hero, Beowulf as an Epic Hero | Overview, Characteristics & Examples, Bravery in Beowulf | Examples, Heroism & Rewards, Beowulf Strength Quotes: Examples & Analysis, Kennings in Beowulf | Purpose, Examples & Analysis, Grendel's Battle in Beowulf | Summary & Characters. Mitchell, Bruce. In the end he is able to kill the most powerful monster. It is an Anglo-Saxon work that was written in Old English. Beowulf tears Grendel's arm from its socket with his bare hands, leaving the monster to limp away to his death. Critical Paper Sydney Grimes English 2322 Prof. Blomberg Dec. 9, 2012 Outline THESIS: The themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story. God is associated with good C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Sydney Grimes Prof. Evert Blomberg English 2322 9 December 2012 Critical Paper The battle of good vs. evil has been one of the most recognizable themes of literature throughout time. This shows the aging and oncoming weakness. WebBeowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. It is also part of the broader tradition of heroic poetry. WebBeowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to a heroic tradition grounded in Germanic religion and mythology. This is ethically twisted because in todays society, it is not considered morally correct to take an eye for an eye. freebooksummary.com 2016 2022 All Rights Reserved, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Ironically, however, as the synopsis above indicates, the essential social and psychological bond between King Beowulf and his thanes ultimately breaks down when the dragon appears. Beowulf defeats Grendel with ease and utilized his pure strength. Our contention here is that Beowulf exemplifies charismatic leadership as detailed in the model detailed by Conger and Canungo (1994) in their article, Charismatic Leadership in Organizations. Beowulf is an epic that came out of a warrior culture and was used not solely to entertain but also to teach the moral thinking of this culture(Chickering 86). Beowulf has several very important character traits that provide insight into the culture that spawned Beowulf. However, the idea of faith is at odds with the pagan concept of fate, which is often associated with unfavorable conditions and results in the text (Parker 68). However, in the time of the poem this was the norm. Beowulf is, above all, a story about one man's life. Stories form the basis of numerous popular culture artifacts, written and visual media emanating from popular culture, recommended by Callahan et al. The incident with the dragon occurs because a Geat slave steals a golden cup from its lair, which teaches the evils of greed. Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Beowulf: Story, Characters, and Old English, Who Was Beowulf? A brief summary of their main points is presented below. Throughout the story of Beowulf we see Beowulfs character progress within each battle from foolish to more wise. Print Parker, Mary A. Beowulf and Christianity. Beowulf demonstrates his selflessness by risking his life for people who were complete strangers but needed his help. Create your account. The sword Beowulf uses against Grendels mother proves useless; it did not penetrate through the skin and bone. Beowulf. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. Rather than fight the dragon with his bare hands as he did with Grendel, Beowulf elects to use a sword against the dragon because he has become an old man and the dragon is very powerful. However, it was actually a trait that was expected of heroes in Anglo-Saxon culture; humility was not considered appropriate. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. For a brief while your strength is in bloom but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow illness. Wiglaf with his sword managed to stab the dragon on its flank and then Beowulf got the chance to stab it in the heart with his sword., she attacks and tows the great warrior but Beowulf matches back once in the cavern he didnt yet use the great sword he fails the attempt to get the ogres. Beowulf was able to use his dagger to stab the dragon and kill it. Beowulf is ethical in the way he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel. The Journal of Leadership Education is the outlet for scholarship for the. Its numerous manifestations in print, audio, and visual media attest to its staying power in its own right, and it fits well in the current cultural context of ubiquitous monsters and the leaders mythical and legendary who attempt to vanquish them. Double-loop learning: A concept and process for leadership educators. Beowulf is also very arrogant, which is sometimes seen as his fatal flaw. It is also part of the broader tradition of heroic poetry. Beowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. Beowulf's character traits provide great insight into the values of the Anglo-Saxons. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge the mourning (Beowulf 61). Beowulf is the main character of the epic poem Beowulf. Notes and Queries, 52(3), 267-81. He said, Now Grendel and I are called together, and Ive come, grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from the hall (Beowulf 18). He asks, ''Are you the Beowulf who took on Breca / In a swimming match on the open sea, / Risking the water just to prove you could win?'' Beowulf never makes any attempt to alter his arrogant ways and he also lives a long and honorable life, dying in battle to protect his people. WebBeowulf is then drug to the bottom of the lair by Grendels mom to her court. The comitatus relationship was based primarily upon mutual trust and respect (Bazelmans, p. 15). After seeing the sword break and Beowulf struggle to beat the dragon, the remaining soldier, Wiglaf, steps in to help distract. Given the enormous popular interest in large, menacing beasts that terrorize and devour humans, such as the ones that inhabit the film Jurassic Park, Dragonslayer, Lord of the Rings, Reign of Fire, Godzilla, and many others, the story of Beowulf should appeal to modern audiences. Throughout the poem, we see Beowulfs bravery and courage again and again, together Heroic Identity in the World of Beowulf. The unwanted child grows up to become a violent and feared man known as the scourge of many tribes, wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes, and a terror (Beowulf. Wiglaf, who becomes Beowulfs successor, also embodies these traits. They continue by stating that because of the important role they play in community learning, sensemaking, and communication, these stories are embedded in our popular culture and, indeed, are vehicles for transmitting that culture (p. 153). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? Ethical- talking about how he did the right thing by helping Beowulf and telling them that they should have helped also Strength- standing up to his own men taking charge and acting as a king Why is it so important that Beowulf does NOT defeat the dragon alone? Beowulf fights bravely and kills the dragon, but is mortally wounded in the process. (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. Much of the beginning of Beowulf is dedicated to sketching out Beowulf's noble lineage and placing him in the same context as other Anglo-Saxon kings and heroes. (1999). By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. Garden City, NY: Anchor, 1977. For instance, he has many of the characteristics of an epic hero, including noble birth, courage, honesty, and battle skills. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. Though only a man, Beowulf pits his strength against giants, demons and mythological beasts. He supposedly has ''the strength of thirty / In the grip of each hand'' (Heaney). Beowulf is the protagonist of the epic poem, Beowulf, which was most likely written between 700 and 1000 CE. Because of their potency, charismatic leaders often occupy positions of authority, trust, and respect. genre Alliterative verse; elegy; resembles heroic epic, though smaller in scope than most classical epics. Both of these fights essentially allow Beowulf to prove himself both to the Danes and to the Geats, establishing his reputation. Christianity throughout England at the time of Beowulf is associated Witt g C. Characters look to praise God when good things happen Proof. Beowulf and Ethics in a Heroic Society. Partly to fill that gap in our knowledge of this important work and to further an understanding of leadership in general, the authors (a) review the historical and cultural indicators of the period as they relate to leadership in the poem; (b) recap the three major episodes of the poem; (c) summarize the Conger-Kanungo model of charismatic leadership; (d) examine the character of Beowulf for elements of charismatic leadership; and, (e) explore the risks to organizations of an overreliance upon charismatic leaders. She also serve as the vice president and philanthropy chair for Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Johnson, C. (2003). In the course, the instructor uses a process similar to what Cartwright (2002) (citing Chris Argyris and Donald Schon) recommends that attempts to get underneath the starting perceptions about leading and managing (p. 70). When all of the other soldiers abandon Beowulf in his fatal battle against the dragon, Wiglaf does not. Beowulf. He is the only person who can fight with monsters. First, the idea of a fatal flaw is one that is most readily found in the Christian literary canon, not something that exists regardless of culture and throughout history. When Beowulf and the dragon hit rock bottom, he noticed something about the dragon. Most importantly, they embody the characteristics most highly praised by their societies. In his article Beowulf: The Heroic, The Monstrous, and Anglo-Saxon Concepts of Leadership, Napierkowski (2005) describes Beowulf as a premier example of literature as a form of leadership instruction (p. 503). Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In the corporate world, as in Beowulf, the over reliance on a charismatic leader unfortunately can result in a problem of succession because no future leaders have been groomed to take the place of the departed one. Beowulf is what is known as an ''epic hero.'' To bring this point into a present context, what is likely to happen with a company such as Apple when Steve Jobs finally decides to give up the reins? This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. Dont waste your time! Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you However, these two very broad themes can be broken down into smaller categories demonstrated in the epic poem Beowulf; the themes of morality and ethics play a crucial role in the story, as well as the underlying theme of Christianity. Underlying theme of Christianity . (Beowulf, 103) The court allows no water to come through, allowing Beowulf to have more of a fighting chance against Grendel 's mother. This he does by swimming down to her underwater lair, holding his breath for several hours. This epic is also greatly influenced by Christianity. He is ethical because he asked permission to kill Grendel. Grendel then attempts to seize Beowulfs arm, but the warrior instead grabs him, and in the ensuing struggle Beowulf wrenches Grendels arm off as the monster escapes. One major similarity between the charismatic and transformational leaders is their ability to empower employees to exceed normal expectations of achievement. "Beowulf" is an epic poem because it traces the heroic deeds of its main character over the course of his adult life. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division As such, certain Christian ideas and themes are easily recognized throughout the text. One of Beowulf's traits that gets a lot of scrutiny is his arrogance. Beowulfs narcissism of strength and old age lead to his death, as he failed to heed Hrothgars words of wisdom and paid the ultimate. After the celebration, however, Grendels mother sneaks into the hall, grabs one of Hrothgars most worthy retainers, retrieves the arm of her son Grendel, and retreats to her foul den across the moors. Turning to the scholarly efforts devoted to the epic poem, numerous research articles cover nearly every aspect of the poems word choice, origin, thematic elements, history, literature parallels, weaponry, versification, and religious influences. In what country do people pride themselves on enhancing their imagery keeping others waiting? He goes into the underworld on a dangerous journey. Callahan, J., Whitener, J., & Sandlin, J. Many incidents, such as the tearing-off of the monsters arm and the heros descent into the mere, are familiar motifs from folklore. It is Unferth, however, who gives Beowulf a sword with which to fight Grendel's mother, in order to make amends. The poem's hero, Beowulf, represents a tribe called the Geats. Although we can view these three encounters as expressions of the heroic code, there is perhaps a clearer division between Beowulfs youthful Beowulf spots a mighty sword in the armory of the creature only he could wield, due to the size and weight of the ancient weapon. he did not take the treasure he went back to the lakes surfaces ringing hilt., The Battles Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. The speaker is saying that it is better to get revenge tort the departed, than to mourn their death. He is young, around twenty years of age, and most likely good-looking according to Anglo-Saxon standards. Idea of pride is a downfall C. Example of it in the bible IV. Episode 2 treats the second night in Heorot during which there is great feasting and giving of gifts and praise to Beowulf and his companions. By the time Beowulf was published, the idea of Christianity had spread wildly throughout England. You have grendel who can eat a man whole and not even give a second thought about it. Order your assignment! Another ways is when he instead of winning the swimming match with Brecca, Beowulf fight the sea monsters and cleans out the seas. Meg has taught language arts in middle school, high school and college. flashcard sets. He does so with a sword instead of with his bare hands because he is in his seventies and is no longer as strong as he once was. With greedy motives, Beowulf tries to steal the Dragon 's treasure and is bitten by the Dragon, poisoning Beowulf and ultimately killing him. Thus, from an organizational perspective, given the obvious high risk involved in their enterprises, the warriors came to depend upon the others in the group for their lives, livelihood, and sense of honor. He is never punished in any way for any perceived flaw. Beowulf is ethical in the way he went to Hrothgar and asked for permission to kill Grendel. International Journal of Public Administration, 28, 503-516. The poem includes many histories of various warriors: their ancestry, deeds of valor and debts they owe or have paid. The "Beowulf" story is laced with moral lessons of forgiveness, camaraderie, and heroism which are still resonating with readers today. Beowulf. Back ground of Beowulf A. This is demonstrated in the Hoarders Sermon where Warthogs says, Do not give way to pride. Another major current involves the large number of popular accounts of legendary and mythical heroes, many of whom display their heroism in struggles with monsters. Is the Beowulf-type problem of succession common in companies with charismatic leaders? Advancing the scholarship and practice of Leadership Education. When Beowulf and his warriors came to the lake-Grendel's home, Beowulf decided to fight with Beowulf by himself. The process of moving from one open window to another is called what? Ly@2_lCAeK*;(46mE4%rC!*H$]sL9L=u5voM{{} w];&I#1z. Lastly, Beowulf and Wiglaf both show outstanding loyalty throughout the piece. ($K^($N8p}Ut~-WUY;W NA/2!, wPdg,L| (b{PAJ;~Km=[uCW j,8`/3C16q |Ek3LXoi|Ms(zB=l-^v/s *jJih,X#,}x6)CHhz3s v_xw``r5\VAnWJ= 6nP"Re>rb0(yW1~)Z6 Nn!-& ]Q1`fZ>Z%GCX{76.M?fK,kZY=vc0XW/;:2Os+.-{=8ype >2v=q80~65 Wxc]);*}(,Tt_~3lI`+2 67 R $DIHa,8"Gp"s#p63Dg: 49X[&|2@ >F3vI'r; Yl1Iam`s~9~2I5,Yb'^SMT9\0"3pgR/l}oT2b6K-AD2n{=HNyn#U?n} M[& #R>09v Or, according to Maria Dahvana Headley's more irreverent translation, the same lines read, ''And, also, who's the giant? / What weapons does he hold? However, as a hero of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf was expected to be arrogant and this was not seen as a flaw. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phasesyouth and ageand through three separate and increasingly difficult conflictswith Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon. Beowulf is a heroic epic, a long poem which recounts the deeds of a legendary warrior. This line seems to test the ethical reasoning in the time that Beowulf was written. Beowulf exemplifies the traits of the perfect hero. He said, Now Grendel and I are called together, and Ive come, grant me, then, Lord and protector of this noble place, a single request That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from the hall (Beowulf 18). In his three contests with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon, respectively, Beowulf is portrayed as the very model of the warrior hero. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then defeated. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. She deals deadly slashes and blows to Beowulf he would have been killed by normally without the aid of his chainmail. An error occurred trying to load this video.