ent in this epic poem. W.P. Ker, a nineteenth-century critic, asserts the dragons are commonly fit for fables and contain more of a fantastic nature than Grendel does. He believes that Grendel is much better suited than a dragon; however, a dragon turns up in Beowulf. Dragons are more often seen as fabulous monsters because they do not exist as part of the environment (62). Dragon fights and fire-breathing dragons were prevalent in medieval literature. Too much time was spent on the details of the dragon in this epic poem (Klaeber xxi). For instance, If the dragon is the right end for Beowulf...then Grendel is an eminently suitable beginning. They are creatures [enemies of mankind] of a similar order and kindred significance. Triumph over the lesser and more nearly human is cancelled by defeat before the older and more elemental (Nicholson 86). When Beowulf has failed to kill the dragon, with all his strength, [he] smashed the gray blade into the beasts head. But then Nagling broke to pieces... (106). Then, Beowulf uses his dagger and quickly cut the beast in half, slit it apart (107). Conquering all evil, Beowulf leaves his people safely, while he dies next to Wiglaf in excruciating pain. Therefore, fantastic elements appear throughout Beowulf and serve to display the heroic qualities of the epics protagonist. Fantastic elements are supernatural or superhuman events that cannot be explained and that exist beyond nature. Beowulf is seen to be a superhero because of the feats and tasks he engages in that appears to be fantastic in nature. Analyzing Beowulfs three battles, one can easily see fantastic elements in this epic poem. The battle with Grendel, Grendels mother, and the dragon display an array of fantastic elements. The reader must remember not to ask questions about how anything described are possible. Man cannot explain any fantastic element because it is beyond natures control. Beowulfs heroic qualities ...
