Example research essay topic: The Great Battles Of Beowulf - 801 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

In the Epic Poem, Beowulf, we read about the famous warrior Beowulf and his many battles. We first read of his battle with Grendal and how Beowulf triumphed. Next we read of his battle with Grendal's mother and how he overturned an almost certain defeat into a victory. Last we read of Beowulf's battle against the dragon where he meets is ultimate death. So please, just sit back and relax as I compare and contrast these three battles. First, lets see how these battles are similar.

Now you may be asking yourself, All these battles are totally different. How could they possibly be similar? . Well here is your answer. During the 1 st two battles Beowulf is dealing with Grendal in some form or another.

The 1 st battle he fought the treacherous Grendal, but in the 2 nd battle he fought Grendal's mother who took her revenge on Beowulf and the Gets by killing King Hrothgars closest friend. Another example of how they are connected is that Beowulf was unable to defeat his enemies with mortal weapons. When he fought Grendal, his men tried to strike him with their weapons but Grendal could not be harmed. Beowulf was forced to destroy him with his own hands. While he fought Grendal's mother, his sword, a mortal weapon, did nothing to her. He was able, though, to use a sword that had been created and blessed by the giants.

Finally during his battle with the dragon his shield melted from the fire and smoke and his sword broke when he struck the dragon. Yet another example is that Beowulf is fighting something evil or dark. He fights Grendal who is hideously gruesome monster that preyed on the Danes and fed himself with their bodies night after night. He battles Grendal's mother who exacts her revenge by killing the kings closest friend, and the dragon was guarding a sacred treasure and killing any man who dared to try and pass. The last similarity is that for the most part Beowulf fights each battle alone.

When Beowulf fought Grendal, his men held him back and kept him from leaving, but it was Beowulf who actually fought him and tore his arm off. When he fought Grendal's mother, he went alone. He was in the bottom of the lake in a great battle hall. Also when he fought the dragon, his comrades deserted him and forced him to fight this losing battle all by himself. As we can see, the battles of Beowulf are very similar, and there are plenty more to mention. Now we must move on to the differences.

You might now be wondering how they are different. Well, in the 1 st battle, Beowulf, with his comrades, travels to Denmark, home of King Hrothgar, to help them defeat Grendal. In this battle Beowulf's comrades attack Grendal, after he has killed one Get, and stops him from escaping. Beowulf then fights Grendal and tears off his arm, sending him back to his swampy home to die.

In the 2 nd battle, Beowulf battles Grendal's mother. Unlike the other battles Beowulf is alone and at the bottom of a lake. During the battle, Grendal's mother almost claims victory of Beowulf, but Beowulf was able to regain his strength and defeat her. Also unlike the other battles, he doesnt stop after killing the enemy. Still filled with anger and hatred he searches around the great battle hall in search of Grendal. He soon finds Grendal dead in a corner and with the sword he used to kill Grendal's mother he chops of Grendal's head.

Finally, in the 3 rd battle, Beowulf battles the dragon. The difference in this battle and the others is that Beowulf is unsuccessful. He doesnt defeat the dragon, in fact, he is fatally wounded and dies. Unfortunately, during this battle his comrades desert him and he has to fight this battle alone.

Another difference is that during this battle Beowulf if king of the Gets and not just a warrior. He is also much older in this battle than in the other two. As we have seen, Beowulf fought his hardest until his final days when his hardest was no longer good enough. During his life, Beowulf was seen as great warrior, not only to his men, but to people all over the world. He fought many battles, each with its own distinct story and personality, but also connected to each other in one way or another.

If a person can learn anything from this story it will probably be that these battle are truly alike in the fact that it will always be good versus evil, and that good doesnt always prevail. No matter who wins the battle sacrifices, including human, are always made along the way to victory.

Research essay sample on The Great Battles Of Beowulf