Beowulf's downfall can be interpreted in various different ways. Someone once said “Beowulf is the story of a dual ordeal: an external battle with vicious opponents and an internal battle with human tendencies of pride, greed, cowardice, betrayal, and self- concern”. This quote means that along with apparent physical conflicts between demons and foes, Beowulf also faces conflicts within himself with his character traits. This quote is very accurate because Beowulf confronts physical opposition with Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon but, also he faces internal battles with pride, greed, cowardice, betrayal, and self- concern with his self image and men he relied on. There are many external battles throughout this epic where Beowulf fends off an enemy. Beowulf is first faced with Grendel, a horrible monster terrorizing Herot. He battles and kills Grendel for King Hrothgar. After Grendel's death, Beowulf is faced with another external struggle with Grendel's mother whom he also defeats. Then after this battle he is King of Geatland for 50 years where he is eventually faced with another challenge with the dragon. Lastly he defeats the external conflict of the dragon by killing it, his men were though and did not follow their leader into the battle leaving Beowulf more unlikely to succeed. In the end he loses his life in the struggle. All of these conflicts further prove how part of the dual ordeal of Beowulf is external conflicts between Beowulf and an anti- hero or his trusted men. Conflicts also aroused internally between Beowulf and himself. Beowulf is also up against conflicts internally in this epic. Beowulf's pride leads him to never ask for help or assistance. This was an issue when he faced the dragon he was by himself but he never called out for the aid of his “loyal”