So the slave didn't use the treasure for his own freedom, he just wanted to be forgiven and reinstated from his master, so he wasn't greedy when he stole nor was he seeking to better his own life. https://www.shmoop.com/beowulf/lines-2101-2396-summary.html

It seems to me that Beowulf feels that he has no purpose in life until he discovers the dragon to battle, because he is recognizing his mortality and limited time.

This reminds me of part 2, where Beowulf advises against mourning people/life circumstances for Hrothgar.

Beowulf has no family/offspring to leave anything to. Almost like now he recognizes the more important thing is family or close connections in different relationships.

So the dragon was relatively peaceful and seemed to mind his own business before someone stole something from him.

Beowulf seems to re-gift some of his precious treasures (also seen with the sword being given back to Unferth), so he's clearly not greedy about keeping his treasures.

The ship is personified to be a woman.

Foreshadowing that Beowulf will become king of the Geats?

It's interesting that this is said because it seems to contradict what was said earlier; with mentions of Beowulf being impatient and warning Beowulf to not become overconfident and too prideful.

Showing excess confidence or pride. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overweening

Another reference to religion.

An unnecessary act of cruelty.

Perhaps a major flaw for a hero/warrior?

Shows that Beowulf does display kindness and cares about his men- and is loyal to them-like an idealized hero.

Interesting statement about Unferth,instead of just saying that Beowulf is a more talented swordsman, battle skills are connected to manhood/masculinity.

This is repeated several times in this story- like Beowulf's father/family gives him a more prestigious title/reputation.

Foreshadowing that this weapon will be what kills Grendel's mother?

This could be connected to the idea at that time of a glorified warrior and also tied to the belief that men should not show emotion.

I feel that you could connect this to the statement said earlier about mourning.Like "Be a man- don't spend your time being wasteful and mourning, lead and fight instead".

She takes one of Hrothgar's most beloved warriors and takes it to her lair.

It mentions the Grendel's mother is technically weaker than Grendel but still a powerful revenged filled monster- like an Amazon Warrior. "Razes the sturdy boar-ride off a helmet", signifies the cutting to the crest (the horsehair) part of the helmet. https://www.shmoop.com/beowulf/strength-skill-quotes-3.html

This is a interesting use of diction to describe Grendel's mother. They try to depict her similarly to Grendel- being a evil monster- but the use of "grief-racked" almost allows the reader to pity Grendel's mother, because its painful to imagine a mother losing her only son.

I think there's significance with Grendel's mothers having no name. Having no name helps rid her of any humanity or connection to the human world, where Grendel clearly displayed human emotions and longed for companionship.

It is Grendel who dies that night and pays from his crimes.

The man marked for death could be Beowulf (foreshadowing)? Or it could be Grendel who we already know is fatally wounded and is dying.

A torque= a tool that causes a turning motion

Connects with the common belief that the good is always rewarded and the bad is always punished.

Even after Beowulf is being celebrated by everyone, he still desired to have had Grendel's body and not have Grendel flee. It connects to Beowulf's addiction of sorts to his heroic acts, with how he preferred to have the body to prove and show he was the one who defeated Grendel.

Very descriptive imagery.

Spurned= To reject with disdain; scorn https://www.dictionary.com/browse/spurned

The mention of being "joyless" connects Beowulf to his human side with his emotions being present.

"Breast-webbing" is the chain-main/mesh-ringed armour they wore. (It's a kenning). https://emilylit.weebly.com/kennings.html

"Mail-shirts" the metal ringed armoured mesh that was commonly worn at the time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_mail

"The mightiest man on earth, High-born and powerful". Beowulf is depicted as a born leader and future king, no one tries to stop him from going on this journey and he is easily depicted as the "chosen-one" from a higher power/force.

In some parts of the text Grendel has human qualities, he's isolated and alone knowing he will never be a part of that world, and he desires friendship.companionship.However Grendel is continuously described in a way that makes him a sort of demonic unearthly demon.

Shows that Hrothgar is a fair king to his people, giving away material rewards but never someone's livelihood or own life.

The sentenced is phrased in a interesting way, "The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar", creating the idea of a divine force that decides he is the rightful king. After his army is built he begins building a mead hall (a feasting hall), which is interesting because it's a place for the common people not a superior isolated throne one usually thinks of with a king. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead_hall

It's interesting to me the burial ritual at the time. Loading the ship with gold and treasures was a honorary commemoration, but at the same time gold and treasure was the representation of wealth and economic gains. With the gold and treasure being burned the people themselves are losing their own sense of materialism/ prosperity from the king's reign.