This paper describes how the small stories incorporated within Beowulf act as a sort of foretelling to what may happen later on in the poem.

The Foretelling That Fools There are many digressions in Beowulf that are truly notable enough to be discussed. Not only are these digressions a form of character development but also serve as a foreshadowing toward other events that happen later in the text. Several of the digressions link Beowulf to many historical figures. These digressions help the reader to prepare for what may come. The tale of Sigemund and the dragon greatly reflects Beowulf's character …

…plans. Although he died in a very heroic act it was too noble of him. It was not part of his responsibility. This scops story defines who Beowulf really is and how he views himself and his relationship with his thanes. Works Cited Anonymous."Beowulf."The Longman Anthology of British Literature, volume 1A, 2nd edition.Damrosch.New York:Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, 2003. 27-91. Rauer, Christine.Beowulf and the Dragon: Parallels and Analogues.Boydell And Brewer, 2000.148-210.