An Epic Conflict The quest for glory and fame always starts off with some type of conflict. Although it is common to hear stories about people who have reached glory and fame. It is also very popular to read about them in an epic. The Epic of Beowulf is an oral told story from the early Anglo- Saxon that was developed over the centuries. In order for Beowulf to gain glory and fame he has to overcome a few conflicts. During the life of Beowulf, he faces many conflicts: In his youth he faces two ferocious creatures; he also faces a conflict with time, and his greatest conflict he has to face is defending his honor. To begin with, During Beowulf’s youth he faces two ferocious creatures. Beowulf was not an ordinary human being. The …show more content…
The second vicious monster Beowulf goes against is Grendel’s mother. Peasants told Hrothgar wise men that they had spotted Grendel wandering with a female monster through the marshes. As Hrothgar mentions to Beowulf, “… Grendel’s mother is hidden in her terrible home in a place/ you’ve not seen. Seek it if you dare! Save us/ once more, and again twisted gold /heaped- up ancient treasure, will reward you/ for the battle you win!” (lines 443-449). Soon Beowulf gathered his stuff and went to look for Grendel’s mother. As told in lines 475-479, “…. She welcomed him in her claws/ clutched at him savagely but could not harm him/ tried to work ….” Then she drags Beowulf to what he thinks is a fighting hall. Like Grendel a sword cannot kill the water witch. Then in the corner of his eye he sees a sword forged by giants and blessed with their magic; Chopping off her head. Then Beowulf walks towards Grendel’s dead body and cuts off his head. As mentioned in Acocella, “When they get back to the mead hall, they tug it around by its hair, as a game.” Grendel’s head was considered symbol of triumph. Beowulf learns that sometimes there’s always more than one problem to