Section XXXIII

The dragon emerges from its barrow and sets fire to the surrounding land, destroying Beowulf's homestead and terrorizing the Geatish people with its fire and fury.

News of the dragon's havoc reaches Beowulf, and he learns that his greatest hall and gift-seat has been destroyed by fire.

Beowulf believes he has angered the Lord by violating ancient commandments, and this calamity is retribution for his sins.

Recognizing that wood cannot protect against dragon fire, Beowulf commands his warriors to craft a shield of iron for the coming battle.

Despite his advanced age, Beowulf disdains requesting a large war-band and determines to face the dragon with minimal fear or hesitation.

The narrator recalls how Beowulf previously cleansed Hrothgar's palace by defeating Grendel and his kinsmen in battle.

The text recounts how Beowulf demonstrated extraordinary strength and valor when King Higelac was slain in Frisian lands, swimming home with thirty sets of armor.

The Hetwars who confronted Beowulf at sea had no reason to boast, as few of their warriors returned from the encounter with the battle-knight.

After swimming home alone, Beowulf was offered the kingdom and treasure by Queen Hygd, who doubted her young son's ability to rule.

Queen Hygd feared that her son Heardred lacked the strength to defend the kingdom against foreign threats after Higelac's death.

Rather than seizing power, Beowulf graciously supported the young king with wise counsel and honor until Heardred came of age.

Wide-fleeing outlaws, the sons of Ohthere, fled the Swedish kingdom to seek aid from the Geats against their brother Eadgils.

Heardred was slain by the sword, and Beowulf subsequently took full control of the Geatish kingdom and proved to be a good ruler.