Beowulf is an epic poem centered on the hero Beowulf, a Geat from Sweden who crosses the sea to Denmark on a heroic quest to save King Hrothgar, king of the Danes and builder . of Herot, and his men from the demonic monster Grendel who kills and feasts on Hrothgar's warriors. Beowulf's adventure does not end when he defeats Grendel, he also has to kill Grendel's mother because she seeks revenge for her son's death. After Beowulf kills Grendel's mother, he returns home and soon becomes king. However, his last adventure in old age leads to his death. He fights and kills a vicious dragon with the help of a great warrior named Wiglaf. Beowulf pays a heavy price for his last victory since he dies from the serious wounds inflicted on him by the dragon. Throughout these three central battles of the poem, pagan and Christian themes and concepts are intertwined. Beowulf is an oral art. This poem, originally pagan, was passed from one minstrel to another with many Christian changes and embellishments leading to the mixing of the two religions. Scholars and critics have long debated whether the poem is truly pagan or truly Christian. The poem as a whole is ultimately pagan with Christian elements sprinkled throughout. Beowulf is a hero whose ultimate goal is simply to succeed and who is pushed and guided to achieve such success by forces beyond his control: he is destined to be a hero. When Beowulf hears of Hrothgar's suffering, he immediately decides to help the king. by traveling to Herot and killing Grendel. An important factor that encourages Beowulf's journey is the pagan belief that "the omens were good and they invited adventure" (3 118-119). Beowulf wants to achieve success, glory and fame...... middle of paper ...... his battle since he is mortally wounded. In his last breath, Beowulf says to Wiglaf: "'I have sold my life for this treasure, and I have sold it well'" (16 806-807). Beowulf wants a large tomb built for himself and tells Wiglaf that "when the funeral flames have burned me, build the tomb here by the water, high on this spit of land, so that the sailors can see this tower and remember my name. , and call it Beowulf's tower, and the ships in darkness and mist, crossing the sea, will know it'” (16 811-816). Beowulf wants his name to live on forever. He wants eternal glory and fame. He also tells Wiglaf that “you are the last of all our extended family. Fate swept across our race, took the warriors in their strength and led them to the death that awaited them. And now I follow them” (16 821-824). Fate is against Beowulf and he tells him that it is time for him to leave..