Ln. 1992. “…well known troubles…” Hrothgar’s well-known troubles have been fixed so it’s now their well-known slaying of their troubles. Nations will be more willing to attack the Danes.
FREAWARU:
She’s a peace-pledge that failed. She’s merchandise. Heathobards and Danes couldn’t keep the peace at her wedding.
Ln. 2114. “…wintry heart…” Winter is mentioned again, but in a less deathly manner. Meaning old age this time, I think it means that winter, usually at the end of the year, refers to the end of someone’s life – old age.
Ln. 2181. “…watched and controlled his God sent strength and his outstanding natural powers…” Really? Beowulf? He flaunted it.
Ln. 2201. “…Hygelac fell and the shelter of Headred’s shield proved uselessagainst the fierce aggression of the Shylfings…the wide kingdom reverted to Beowulf…” Hygelac dies in a raid. Beowulf acts as a counsellor to Heardred (proves he's respectful because Heardred's mother wanted Beowulf to be king instead, but turned it down because Heardred was blood to the throne) until he dies when Swedish rebels kill him. Beowulf then took the throne when the king and his heir were dead.
Ln. 2209. “…for fifty winters, grew old and wise as warden of the land…” Beowulf is king for 50 years which parallels the Hrothgar who ruled for 50 years too.
Ln. 2249. “…my own people have been ruined by war…” why not him too? How could his whole race have died and have him be the only one left?
Ln. 2277. “…and so he mourned as he moved about the world, deserted and alone, lamenting his unhappiness, day and night, until death’s flood brimmed in his heart…” Backs up the theme transitory nature of life, and it can also allude to the Wanderer.
Ln. 2276. “…he is driven to hunt out hoards underground, to guard heathen gold through age-long vigils, though to little avail…” The dragon really has no reason to guard the treasure other than greed. He doesn’t do anything with it… just basks in its beauty.
Ln. 2282. "...he hurried to his lord with the gold-plated cup and made his plea to be reinstated..." A slave is the one who found the cave, stole the gold-plated cup, and tried to give it to his master to be let free.
Ln. 2299, "...but he worked himself up by imagining battle..." The dragon, angered by greed, gets excited by imagining battle.
DRAGON - BEOWULF
^ (GREED) ^
Treasure Fame
Neither of them have very good reasons to do what they do.
Freawaru name even means "merchandise" - interesting use for either the role of women or a feminist interpretation.
ReplyDeleteLn. 2249 - connect with "The Wanderer"
Wintry heart could also have other meaning - not just old age - but a closing of feelings or acknowledgement for what is right.
The dragon could be a symbol for greed, yes.