In the book Beowulf, the main character Beowulf had to overcome many different challenges that include: Fighting Grendel in the Mead Hall, fighting Grendel's mother, and the Dragon. In the process of all these battles, Beowulf was trying to prove how he is the greatest warrior to ever live. When Beowulf fights Grendel he is proving to the king of the Danes, Hrothgar, that he is a greater warrior than Hrothgar. When Beowulf fights Grendel's mom he is going to get the men back that she took because they killed Grendel. Beowulf then dives into the lake not knowing what is down there, and not being able to breathe, so there is a high possibility that he could die. However, when he reaches the bottom of the lake there is a protective dome that he is able to breathe in. Beowulf tries to kill Grendel's mom but he cannot because there is a spell that protects her from the human swords. When he is fighting her he finds a Giants sword and he kills her with it, after he goes and cuts off Grendel's head. When he gets back he becomes the king of the Geats. Beowulf is then king for 50 winters. When Beowulf is about 90 years old he fights a dragon. While he is fighting that dragon he is bitten in the neck and badly injured, one of his men, Wiglaf, comes to his aid. Wiglaf's hand is badly burned, but when the dragon comes at Beowulf and Wilglaf, Beowulf pulls out his war knife and Wiglaf takes what is left of his sword and they stab the dragon and kill it.