Within lines 2510-2820, Beowulf's final battle against the dragon takes place. I found it interesting that there is minimal description of the actual fight between the two. The poem mentions that Beowulf's sword is no longer infallible (ln 2585) and continues on to say that Beowulf's comrades failed to rush to his aid. However, unlike the battle between Beowulf and Grendel, as well as the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother, we don't receive many specific details. Instead, we have two formal boasts made by Beowulf. Although he knows that his end is at hand, Beowulf still pauses to take time to regale his men with prideful words. Mayhap if Beowulf were not so prideful and went in with the help of his men, instead of specifically telling his companions to stay behind (ln 2531-2537). Beowulf comments that he must win the battle by his own courage or die trying. It is Beowulf's belief that the battle against the dragon is his alone. I believe he thinks so because the dragon attacked his own home, as well as the homes of his tribe. In true form to Anglo-Saxon culture, he would exact the revenge upon the dragon for his crimes. This way of thinking would be his downfall. Although he did kill the dragon, therefore revenging his own home and those of his people, Beowulf paid a price with his own life.
Why, after all this time, would Beowulf's sword fail him? Also, in line 2729-2732, Beowulf states that he "...would have wanted to bestow this armor on my own son, had it been my fortune to have fathered an heir...". Wouldn't a son have been a source of pride for Beowulf, especially as a king? Why would he not have fathered a child?
Great analysis Jessica, and very interesting questions. I like that you incorporate specific line numbers into your post, and I think you could go further by incorporating some quotes and then reflecting on their significance. The dragon is fascinating and certainly alters the "game" that Beo seems to be playing. To address your questions, the sword constantly fails Beowulf, and it might be useful to ask why that is (perhaps his strength is more rooted in Christ than his weapons)? And to my knowledge Beo is simply unable to Father a son, which happened (ask Henry VIII).
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