All throughout history, mankind has been telling stories, myths, and legends. One of the main story plots was wherein a hero would save the kingdom by vanquishing the evil beast; be it blood thirsty Minotaur, clever Sphinx, or raging Dragon. However, were all of these creatures truly the threat on their on; or had they been provoked by some other dark force. Literature makes dragons out to be evil beings, but this is an unfair portrayal since humans have proven far worse.
It is true that dragons aren’t the best beings. They have treasure hoards and they are thoroughly malicious. As said in the story of the hero Sigurd and Fáfnir the dragon, “...the dragon, who dwelt in the cold dank caves of which he was a part guarding his stolen treasure hoard.” (Ruth M. Stein 1). Fáfnir was greedy and wanted gold and jewels, but he did not kill for them. Another dragon is merely known as ‘the Fire-Eater’ and he appears in the story of Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon epic. Fire-Eater is described as “...thoroughly malicious…” and “...has been characterized as the Devil, internal evil, personifying malice, greed, and destruction.” (Ruth M. Stein 1 and 2). These quotes make Fire-Eater seem like a really…show more content… While they may desire gold and jewels, not all dragons are blood thirsty tyrants. In Fáfnir’s story, after being slain, the poor dragon goes on to try and protect his killer. “Before dying, though, Fáfnir warned Sigurd of the evil the treasure would bring.” (Ruth M. Stein 1). Even after being killed by this man, Fáfnir still tried to help him. His advice was, of course, ignored. The Fire-Eater was usually a very calm, relaxed dragon. In fact the only reason he lashed out was because of a human. “He went on his rampage only when a slave pilfered a golden cup from the hoard which the serpent had been guarding for 300 years.” (Ruth M. Stein 1) If someone stole something that a person had been keeping for 3 centuries, they would be angry
