After finishing and discussing Beowulf in class today I had a question concerning the treasure troves of both Grendel’s mother and the dragon. When Beowulf slayed Grendel’s mother, the treasure just dissolved and disappeared, along with the sword he used to slay her. When Beowulf and Wiglaf slay the dragon, Beowulf asks Wiglaf to view the treasure room. Wiglaf returns to him with priceless weapons and jewels and afterwards Beowulf dies.
I had a chance to speak to Doug after class about the importance of this. He was able to tell me that the trove in Grendel’s mother’s lair was possibly cursed; because to the Anglo-Saxons horded treasure is not a good thing, that the kings, or ring-givers, should reward those who deserve it and give it away. Therefore, treasure should not be horded but should change hands through the generations.
As for the dragon’s treasure horde, the text also stated there was a curse on this as well; that no man may take it for themselves. I believe that since Beowulf did not claim the treasure out of selfishness but instead claimed it for his people as his last gift to them before he died he lifted the curse which allowed Wiglaf to take the treasure.
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