2250 "my own people have been ruined by war"
Parallels Hermod beowulf frets how he has wasted the lives of his warriors.


"A newly constructed Barrow stood waiting"
Beowulf knows he will die, he has already constructed his tomb when he hears of the dragon. This shows the escalation of monsters and the rise and fall of a man. With Grendel and his mother beowulf was confident, whereas with the dragon he is afraid he will die. If looking at the progression of three monsters Beowulf's confidence is again in question.

"he had scant regard for the dragon as a threat"
Extreme confidence yet he knows he is going to die, perhaps this means that beowulf is more scared of loosing his 100% record. He is scared that he will not be able to kill the dragon as well as dying.

"He befriended Eadgils when Eadgils was friendless the feud was ended in a comfortless campaign when he killed Onela"
Beowulf foolishly decides to become involved in a swedish blood. Although a truce is called due to Wyrgild, the Geats can not get of easily. The Swedes are honor bound to retaliate and destroy the Geats as in the end they do. This shows how beowulf is more committed to his own honor than to the success of his nation.

"I shall fight like that for as long as I live"-
Declares himself again as a warrior before a king. Beowulf leaves no clear heir to take care of the country.

"I shall pursue this fight... face me in the open"
Beowulf's final epic boast. Unlike the others in which he is sure of himself he wavers and claims he can only beat the dragon if he leaves its hoard. This not only shows Beowulf's wavering confidence, it shows the rise and fall of a warrior, with Beowulf

"keen-edged sword, an ancient thing"
This time beowulf brings his own ancient sword, again progression of three monsters, Grendel he fights bare handed, His mother he fights with Hrunting, and THe dragon he fights with an ancient sword. All of these weapons fail him.

"then there one known for goodness... unbuckled his helmet."
Similar to baptism prepared beowulf for death symbolic cleansing of soul. Clearley states unequal for goodnesss with his own deads, suggesting that beowulf is not known for goodness as a king.