How does Beowulf defeat the dragon?
Beowulf defeats the dragon in the most heroic and the most Christian manner possible: by sacrificing himself for his people. Unlike Hrothgar at the beginning of the poem, Beowulf has no younger hero to send out to fight the creature on his behalf. Although Wiglaf wounds the dragon so severely that Beowulf is able to kill it with his knife, it is by no means clear that Wiglaf alone would have been able to accomplish this feat.
The bard's song in Part I of the poem foreshadows Beowulf's death, as does his own sense of foreboding at the approach of the dragon. As a king and a hero, however, he goes willingly to his death to protect his people and does not linger on as king when he is too weak to protect them. It is this selfless courage that allows Beowulf to kill the dragon. The hero has conquered...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the most basic animal instinct—that of self-preservation—and replaced it with a sense of duty.
In his old age, Beowulf faces one final challenge in fighting the dragon that has been attacking the Geats. Upon witnessing the dragon, all of Beowulf's companions abandon him except for Wiglaf. The two men must face the dragon alone.
Immediately, Beowulf's magical sword, Naegling, proves useless, as it merely shatters over the dragon's skull. When that happens, the dragon delivers a fatal poisonous bite to the hero. If it were not for Wiglaf, who slices the dragon's belly, thus reducing its power and strength, Beowulf would not have been able to finally slay the dragon by stabbing it in the side with his knife. Soon after this, Beowulf succumbs to the dragon's poison and dies.
In many ways, the dragon symbolizes Beowulf's fate. Even though the great hero is able to slay the beast, it is not without consequences and ends in his own death. This end was foreshadowed earlier in the epic by the song of the bard in Heorot. As Beowulf approaches the dragon's lair, he feels his own impending doom, and even though he dreads it, he continues to do the dangerous deed.
In Beowulf, how do Beowulf and Wiglaf work together to slay the dragon?
As an old man, Beowulf goes to battle the dragon. When faced with the terrible beast, all of Beowulf's companions flee in terror except for his most trusted companion, Wiglaf the Geat. It is here that Wiglaf proves his loyalty, bravery, and resourcefulness in battle.
First, Wiglaf shouts insults at his retreating companions. He tells them that they owe loyalty to Beowulf, their king. What better time to show their loyalty than now? With that, Wiglaf jumps into the fray, offering his king further words of encouragement. The dragon responds by breathing fire directly at Wiglaf, destroying his shield and burning him badly.
Beowulf is in a tough spot. His sword, Naegling, has broken against the dragon's impenetrable scaly armor. Without his weapon, Beowulf is defenseless and is badly bitten by the monster on his neck. Wiglaf then attacks and stabs the beast in its soft underbelly with his knife. This wound proves fatal to the dragon. However, the bite that Beowulf suffered was full of the dragon's poison and proves to be fatal to the old Dane.
Together, the two warriors kill the dragon. If Wiglaf had not come to his king's aid, then the dragon would surely have triumphed. This battle gives the old king the opportunity to have an honorable death and provides his most faithful servant a chance to do right by his sovereign.