Editing Beowulf (section)

=== Final battle: The dragon ===

{{Main|The dragon (Beowulf)}}

[[File:Beowulf death.png|thumb|upright|[[Wiglaf]] is the single warrior to return and witness Beowulf's death. Illustration by [[J. R. Skelton]], 1908]]

Beowulf returns home and eventually becomes king of his own people. One day, fifty years after Beowulf's battle with Grendel's mother, a [[slave]] steals a golden cup from the lair of a dragon at Earnanæs. When the dragon sees that the cup has been stolen, it leaves its cave in a rage, burning everything in sight. Beowulf and his warriors come to fight the dragon, but Beowulf tells his men that he will fight the dragon alone and that they should wait on the barrow. Beowulf descends to do battle with the dragon, but finds himself outmatched. His men, upon seeing this and fearing for their lives, retreat into the woods. However, one of his men, Wiglaf, in great distress at Beowulf's plight, comes to his aid. The two slay the dragon, but Beowulf is mortally wounded. After Beowulf dies, Wiglaf remains by his side, grief-stricken. When the rest of the men finally return, Wiglaf bitterly admonishes them, blaming their cowardice for Beowulf's death. Beowulf is ritually burned on a great pyre in Geatland while his people wail and mourn him, fearing that without him, the Geats are defenceless against attacks from surrounding tribes. Afterwards, a barrow, visible from the sea, is built in his memory.<ref>''Beowulf'' lines 2712–3182</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Beowulf |publisher=MU |location=South Africa |url=https://faculty.mu.edu.sa/public/uploads/1348946962.7014beowulf.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324051854/https://faculty.mu.edu.sa/public/uploads/1348946962.7014beowulf.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 March 2014}}</ref>