Sarah LockettEnglish 401Dr. DzonBeowulfBeowulf was written around 700 AD by an Anglo-Saxon poet whose identity is unknown. It is part Christian and part Anglo-Saxon pagan because many Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity in the late 500s AD The epic poem is divided into three parts, each of which centers on a monster that Beowulf must fight. First Grendel, second Grendel's mother and third the dragon. The Anglo-Saxons had the rule of three, and this is represented in Beowulf. Anglo-Saxon men have a heroic code and believe that only through great acts of honor, courage and strength will they be able to live forever because they will still be talked about. even after death. They believe in fate, wyrd. They are patriarchal and patrilineal and place importance on who their father was. Beowulf, for example, goes to the Danes to help Hrothgar because his father owed Hrothgar a debt. Men in their culture are the sons of their fathers. Male characters dominate Beowulf. On the other hand, there are only six major female characters in the epic, and they can be grouped as three sets of two, another rule of three. The first group, Wealhtheow and Hygd, are queens and hostesses and distribute cups of mead to their respective kings and warriors. They have no real political power, but they can attempt to advance their interests through words, and their wishes may or may not be granted. The second group, Hildeburh and Freawaru, are peacemakers, meaning their job is to create peace by being a link between two peoples through marriage. Being married furthers the interests of their people. The third group, Grendel's Mother and Thryth, are monstrous women and contrast... center of sheet... owulf returns to Geatland where his uncle, Hygelac, is king. Once his uncle and his uncle's son die, Beowulf becomes king. After Beowulf has reigned for fifty years, a thief disturbs a dragon in his mound. Incensed, the dragon begins raining fire on the Geats. Wanting to protect his people, Beowulf and Wiglaf fight the dragon. All the other warriors run away. Beowulf kills the dragon, his third monster, but not before the dragon bites Beowulf's neck and kills him with its venom. Beowulf transforms from a good fighter to a wise leader. Young Beowulf just wants to make a name for himself. Old Beowulf parallels Hrothgar in that they both desire to protect their people. However, the ending questions Beowulf's actions as a good warrior or good king. He protects his people from the dragon, but his death leaves them vulnerable to enemy attacks.