Symboic+Death+and+Rebirth

__**Symbolic Death:**__ When Beowulf jumps into the lake to fight Grendel's mother, this is his symbolic death. He is swimming down to the bottom (essentially hell), and going to fight the demon (Grendel's mother). As he goes further down to hell, the physical appearance becomes worse, and the demon already knows he is coming.


 * "After these words, the prince of the Weather-Geats was impatient to be away and plunged suddenly: without more ado, he dived into the heaving depths of the lake. It was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom," (1492-1496).**

__**Symbolic Rebirth:**__ After Beowulf kills Grendel's mother, he swims back up to the surface. He is leaving the dark, demonic lair, heading towards the light. His long journey back into the real world symbolizes rebirth.


 * "Then away he swam, the one who had survived the fall of his enemies, flailing to the surface. The wide water, the waves and pools were no longer infested once the wandering fiend let go of her life and this unreliable world. The seafarers' leader made for land, resolutely swimming, delighted with his prize, the mighty load he was lugging to the surface," (1618-1625).**