Question

beowulf returns to _______________________ and eventually becomes ____________________ of his own people. one day, late in beowulf’s life after he rules for __________ years, a dragon leaves its cave in a rage, burning up everything in sight. beowulf and his warriors come to fight the dragon, but only one of the warriors, a brave young man named ___________, stays to help beowulf because the rest ________________. beowulf __________________ the dragon, but beowulf _________________. after his body is ____________________, beowulf is buried in ________________ on a cliff overlooking the sea, where sailors are able to see his tow the dragon’s _______________ is buried with him, rather than distributed to his people, as was beowulf’s wish in accordance with germanic and scandinavian burial practices.

Explanation:

These blanks are filled with key plot details from the epic poem Beowulf, following the canonical narrative of the hero's later life and final battle.

Answer:

Beowulf returns to Geatland and eventually becomes king of his own people. One day, late in Beowulf's life after he rules for 50 years, a dragon leaves its cave in a rage, burning up everything in sight. Beowulf and his warriors come to fight the dragon, but only one of the warriors, a brave young man named Wiglaf, stays to help Beowulf because the rest flee in fear. Beowulf kills the dragon, but Beowulf is mortally wounded by the dragon's venom. After his body is cremated on a funeral pyre, Beowulf is buried in a barrow on a cliff overlooking the sea, where sailors are able to see his tomb.
The dragon's treasure/horde is buried with him, rather than distributed to his people, as was Beowulf's wish in accordance with Germanic and Scandinavian burial practices.