In Beowulf , the reader is first introduced to him as he disembarks from his ship, having just arrived in the land of the Danes. He is an impressive-looking man, huge and strong. When he arrives in Hrothgar's kingdom, the hero of the epic is still a very young man. He is out to establish a name for himself. Beowulf once killed a tribe of giants and has driven enemies from his homeland. He already has a favorable reputation, but he is eager for more achievements that will add to his good name. In the world of Beowulf, a man's good name is his key to immortality. It is all that remains after death. The confrontation with Grendel clearly demonstrates Beowulf's great strength, but it also illustrates his sense of fair play and his cool reasoning regarding tactics. Beowulf refuses to use weapons against the monster because Grendel is not schooled in human warfare and will use no weapons himself. To defeat him, Beowulf must be superior in hand-to-claw combat. When the ogre reaches for his next victim, he receives the shock of his life. Beowulf, with the hand-grip of 30 men, grabs hold and won't let go. The battle ends with a victory for Beowulf. He rips Grendel's right claw from its shoulder socket, mortally wounding the beast. Beowulf's defeat of Grendel's mother demonstrates remarkable courage and perseverance. Seeking to avenge the death of her son and recover his claw, the mother attacks Heorot the next night, surprising everyone. In the morning, Beowulf tracks her to a cave where she and her son live. There Beowulf defeats her with the help of a magic giant sword and returns with the sword's hilt and Grendel's head. A fire dragon terrifies the countryside because a fugitive has stolen a golden flagon from the dragon's treasure-trove. Beowulf insists on fighting the dragon alone. Led by the fugitive and accompanied by eleven of his warriors, Beowulf seeks out the dragon. But Beowulf is no match for the monster. Seeing his king in trouble, Wiglaf goes to assist Beowulf while the others flee to the woods. Together, Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon, but the mighty king is seriously wounded. Some critics feel that pride and age have brought down the epic hero. Others point out that Beowulf did not have long to rule anyway and deserved the right to choose a warrior's death.