Dragon Symbolism in Epic Literature: Beowulf and the Saga of the Volsungs

Authors

  • Carla Buratti Universidad del Salvador

Keywords:

Dragon, Germanic mythology, Anglo-Saxon literature, heroism, medieval symbolism, paganism and Christianity, treasure, sacrifice

Abstract

This work analyzes the figure of the dragon in both Beowulf and The Volsung Saga, exploring how this mythical motif acquires different meanings depending on the cultural tradition that frames it. A mythological contextualization of the dragon in Germanic and Anglo-Saxon cultures will be offered first, considering its iconographic and symbolic evolution from its links with the serpent and biblical imagery to its medieval consolidation as an ambivalent creature, associated with both destruction and heroic trials. Thus, this work will examine the two dragons, whose mythical roots are alike, yet their set of values differ: Anglo-Saxon heroic ethics privilege collective sacrifice and acceptance of fate, whereas Germanic tradition focuses on the overcoming of desire and individual conquest.

Author Biography

Carla Buratti, Universidad del Salvador

Alumna de cuarto año de la carrera de Letras de la Universidad del Salvador.

References

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Díaz Vera J. E. (2019). La Saga de los Volsungos. Alianza.

Elvira, M. Á. (1997). Los orígenes iconográficos del dragón medieval. Antigüedad y cristianismo, (14), 419-434. https://revistas.um.es/ayc/article/view/66031

Gutiérrez Montoya, A. J. & Ramírez Esquivel, C. Y. (2014). El imponente dragón. Una visión oriente vs. Occidente. Folklore y tradición oral en arqueología, 2. Centro de Estudios Sociales y Universitarios Americanos, Morelos.

Lerate, L. & Lerate, J. (2017). Beowulf y otros poemas anglosajones (ss. VII-X). Alianza.

Lozano Alonso, E. A. (2018). Regum Britaniae y La Saga de los Volsungos. Metáforas al aire, 0, 77-86.

Malaxecheverría, I. (1986). Bestiario Medieval. Ediciones Siruela.

Venegas Lagüéns, M. L. (1988). El elemento fantástico en Beowulf: Estructura y significado. Philologia Hispalensis.

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Published

2026-06-02

How to Cite

Buratti, C. (2026). Dragon Symbolism in Epic Literature: Beowulf and the Saga of the Volsungs. Gramma , 37(76). Retrieved from https://p3.usal.edu.ar/index.php/gramma/article/view/7637

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 76 (2026)

Section

TRABAJOS DE CÁTEDRA

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