Beowulf Dialectical Journal 2470-2910

ln2345-2348
"Yet the prince o the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague."

Tragic flaw. Pride is Beowulf's tragic law. He dies because he is to proud to use the aid of his warriors. Theme: good warrior.. and king.... he fights for honor and his country. but he also is a good king in that he is honorable, and will sacrifice himself for his country.

ln 2488
" his feud calloused hand"
The swedes had many feuds. Foreshadow to future Swedish feuds? showing the swedes as a bit of an antagonist in the story.

ln 2497-2500
"I marched ahead of him, always at the front of the line;...As long as this sword shall last. "
Theme good warrior.... also honor... when his sword does finally break his kinsman takes the lead to attempt to slay the dragon. Shows Beowulf's courage.

ln 2658-2660
" should he alone be left to fall in battle? We must bond together, shield and helmet, mail-shirt and sword."

Theme: good warrior... he won't let his king die alone. he seeks glory also. LOYALTY.

ln 2767-2769
"And he saw too a standard, entirely of gold,....it glowed with light"

The golden standard is a symbol for Beowulf's life. Glorious and golden. it illuminated glorious things for those around him and it was extremely precious and valuable.

Beowulf and the Dragon

Beowulf and the Dragon were parallel characters. The Dragon in some stories is a symbol for hate and malice and evil. However in others it is a majestic, powerful, amazing creature. if it is interpreted in the latter form then you could say it was parallel to Beowulf. They were both amazing creatures, full of power and amazing capabilities. Both could not be harmed by a blade (dragon scales and chain mail) and both died at the hands of another great being.... You could interpret the dragon as, not an evil character but a character sent by god to enforce wyrd. It is the wyrm of wyrd.