The Transformation of BeowulfThroughout the length of the poem, Beowulf goes from abandoned child to valiant warrior to king. This transformation, expressed in the tone and content of the poem, shows the importance of the relationship between lord and thane and expresses the ultimate value of this connection. From the difference between the battle scenes and Beowulf's speeches, it is clear that he transformed from a somewhat self-loving hero to a selfless king. As part of this change, he also moves from serving a lord to becoming a lord, and in this way the poem shows us the importance of both sides of the relationship. Initially, Beowulf is said to flee from Grendel because "he could not bear or accept the fact / that anyone living under heaven / could enjoy greater esteem than he" (43). Ultimately, he fights the dragon more for the sake of his people than for his own pride; he dies relieved because “[he] was allowed to leave [his] people / so well endowed” (2796). The battle scenes themselves are also a clue....