What is the plot summary of Beowulf?
Summary. With loyalty and heroism in mind, Beowulf comes to the rescue of the Danes and King Hrothgar. They have suffered at the hands of an evil monster, Grendel, who has pillaged their kingdom for more than 12 years and killed many men. Beowulf, nephew to the king of the Geats, sails across the seas to try to defeat the beast.
Who is the hero in Beowulf?
The protagonist of the epic, Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf’s boasts and encounters reveal him to be the strongest, ablest warrior around. In his youth, he personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.
What is the full story of Beowulf?
• the story of beowulf • i. and first of the kindred of hrothgar. ii. concerning hrothgar, and how he built the house called hart. also grendel is told of. • • iii. how grendel fell upon hart and wasted it. iv. now comes beowulf ecgtheow's son to the land of the danes, and the
Who are the women in Beowulf?
Western Michigan University
- I. Wealhtheow and Hygd: Woman as Hostess. First, let us examine Wealhtheow and Hygd, their actions, and how the poet describes them. ...
- II. Hildeburh and Freawaru: Woman as Peaceweaver. Let us now move from a discussion of relations within a group to that of relations between groups. ...
- III. Grendel's Mother and Thryth: Woman as Monster. ...
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Who are the 3 main characters of Beowulf?
Beowulf - The hero and main character of this epic poem. ... Wiglaf - The trusty sidekick to Beowulf. ... Danish King Hrothgar - King of the Danes before Beowulf. ... Grendel - Also known as the monster or Beowulf monster. ... Grendel's Mother - Mother of Grendel and a far more powerful monster.
Who are the two main villains of Beowulf?
Grendel - one of three antagonists (along with Grendel's Mother and the dragon). Grendel's mother - one of three antagonists (along with Grendel and the dragon). Sometimes referred to as Hag. Guðlaf - a warrior in Hnæf's retinue.
Who is the main monster in Beowulf?
Grendel, fictional character, a monstrous creature defeated by Beowulf in the Old English poem Beowulf (composed between 700 and 750 ce). Descended from the biblical Cain, Grendel is an outcast, doomed to wander the face of the earth.
Who are the two heroes in Beowulf?
Beowulf and Judith: Two Heroes - 9780761808251.
Who is Beowulf's main antagonist?
GrendelGrendel. Grendel is the first antagonist we meet in Beowulf, but he's not the last, nor the mightiest. In fact, he's just the first of a cycle of three tests.
Who is the main antagonist of the epic Beowulf?
Grendel is one of the main antagonists the hero Beowulf encounters and fights. He is the spawn of Cain, the brother who slew Abel in the book of Genesis. He is a vial monster and terrorizes Herot and King Hrothgar's warriors.
Why is Grendel the antagonist?
Some readers have seen them as symbols of different flaws in the pagan Northern European warrior code. To these readers, Grendel represents the envy and resentment of defeated peoples, his mother represents the endless cycle of blood-vengeance, and the dragon represents greed for treasure.
Why is Grendel a villain in Beowulf?
Grendel's doomed to a life of suffering and loneliness because of the supposed actions of some wicked ancestor. In Beowulf, that little tidbit of information makes Grendel pure, 100% villain—he is a monster, and he is evil by nature.
Is Grendel good or evil?
Grendel is evil because he is a demon from hell and thus a “foe of mankind.” His mother's evil is more ambiguous, because killing for vengeance was allowed in the warrior culture of Beowulf's time.
How many heroes are there in Beowulf?
two heroesIn this respect, the poem itself may be rediscovered as being a unique heroic poem in having two heroes, one of whom is a woman. Thus, by recognizing this hitherto undiscovered heroic quality in Grendel's Mother, we may be acknowledged as giving the “devil” her due.
Who killed Beowulf?
the dragonSensing his own death approaching, Beowulf goes to fight the dragon. With the aid of Wiglaf, he succeeds in killing the beast, but at a heavy cost. The dragon bites Beowulf in the neck, and its fiery venom kills him moments after their encounter.
Is the dragon Beowulf's son?
The Dragon appears as the secondary antagonist in the 2007 film adaptation of the same name. He is also known as the Golden Man and is the son of Beowulf and Grendel's Mother.
Who is Beowulf's father?
The hero of Beowulf, Beowulf is a Geatish warrior loyal to his king, Hygelac. Beowulf's father was the warrior Ecgtheow, and his mother is a sister of Hygelac. Despite his noble lineage… read analysis of Beowulf
What is Grendel in Beowulf?
Grendel. A man-eating monster descended from the Biblical Cain. Grendel is described as a "walker in darkness," who is "wearing God's anger" and "lacking in joy" because he has inherited the curse the Biblical Cain… read analysis of Grendel. Get the entire Beowulf LitChart as a printable PDF.
What are some examples of bad queens?
An example of a bad queen. In her youth she caused people to be killed merely for looking at her. She is said to have improved, becoming generous, after her marriage to the king of the Angles.
Who is Unferth in Beowulf?
Unferth. A Dane, the son of Ecglaf, and a follower of Hrothgar. Unferth is presented as contrast to Beowulf, providing a glimpse of a poor warrior in contrast to Beowulf's good warrior. Unferth… read analysis of Unferth.
Who was Cain's brother?
Cain. The Old Testament of the Bible, in the Book of Genesis, tells the story of how Cain killed his brother Abel. Cain was marked by God, so others would know him and cast him out of society. The giants, Grendel and Grendel's Mother, are descended from Cain.
Who is Wiglaf in Beowulf?
Wiglaf. The son of Weohstan the Scylfing, and a relative of Beowulf, as well as his most loyal warrior. In the battle against the dragon, he proves to be the only Geatish warrior with… read analysis of Wiglaf.
Who is the king of the Danes?
Hrothgar. The King of the Danes, the son of Healfdene, the brother of Heorogar and Halga, and the brother-in-law of Onela the Swede. He is also the father of young sons Hrethric, Hrothmund … read analysis of Hrothgar.
Who is the main character in Beowulf?
Beowulf Character Analysis. Beowulf is the main character of the poem. He comes to help king Hrothgar, whose army was being terrorized by Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel, and then kills Grendel’s mother—who came after Beowulf to avenge her son.
What is Beowulf's character trait?
When speaking about his character traits, first and foremost, Beowulf is associated with bravery. There are numerous occasions to which he shows how fearless he is in fights against beasts and mysterious creatures. In the text we come across such narrative that portrays his bravery: Which of us wins.
Why did Beowulf give Hrothgar gold?
This is when Beowulf came along to save Hrothgar, his family and the army from the terrible beast. Hrothgar showed his gratitude in regards to Beowulf’s loyalty by gifting him armor, horses, gold, and many other gifts. The author trivializes Hrothgar role, for he was a great king unable to face the monster.
Why did Unferth give his sword to Beowulf?
He had a poor moral judgement; he was jealous of Beowulf and his strength. Although after Beowulf had defeated Grendel, Unferth gave his sword to Beowulf to go kill Grendel’s mother. This act by Unferth showcases that he changed his mind and, after all, he was not all that bad.
How did Beowulf help Hrothgar?
When Beowulf found out about Hrothgar’s trouble with Grendel, he decided to help Hrothgar by staying true to his father’s oath and to fulfill it even after his death. Beowulf spoke of his father as a “noble battle-beater” (line 263), and showed his respect and in loving memory.
What does Beowulf say about the dragon?
Here Beowulf says that his “heart is firm”, which alludes that he is ready to face the dragon and stand up against him no matter how strong the dragon might be. This suggests that Beowulf is fearless, even though he knew that on his own he did not stand a chance against the dragon.
How did Beowulf kill Grendel?
He killed Grendel by ripping his arm out of his socket with the strength of 30 men. Besides being a brave and strong warrior, Beowulf is also characterized as a very wise and righteous king who ruled over Geatland. He managed to free his land and kingdom from wars and conflicts with other tribes.
Who is Beowulf's son?
Beowulf - son of Ecgtheow, and the eponymous hero of the Anglo-Saxon poem. Breca - Beowulf 's childhood friend who competed with him in a swimming match. Cain - biblical character described as an ancestor of Grendel who is infamous for killing his brother Abel, the first murder.
What tribe did Beowulf belong to?
Gifðas - the Gepids , a tribe which had migrated to the Balkans by the time of Beowulf. They are mentioned in connection with Swedes and Danes, and it has been suggested that Beowulf refers to the people of Östergötland. Heathobards, or Heaðo-beardnas, a clan or tribe at war with the Danes.
What happened to Herebeald in the Scylding clan?
Beowulf was his nephew. Herebeald was killed with an arrow by his brother Hæþcyn in a hunting accident, which caused their father Hreðel to die from grief.
How many lines are there in Beowulf?
Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem. Its creation dates to between the 8th and the 11th centuries, the only surviving manuscript dating to circa 1010. At 3183 lines, it is notable for its length. It has reached national epic status in England (although its setting is Scandinavia, not the British Isles).
What is the greatest sin in Anglo-Saxon culture?
Killing your kin was the greatest sin in Anglo-Saxon culture. Dæghrefn - a Frankish warrior killed by Beowulf. The Dragon - beast (Old English, wyrm) that ravages Beowulf's kingdom and which Beowulf must slay at the end of the poem. It is the cause of Beowulf's death.
Where is Beowulf set?
It has reached national epic status in England (although its setting is Scandinavia, not the British Isles). There are a great many characters in Beowulf ranging from historical people such as Hygelac to purely mythological dragons .
Who is Halga in Beowulf?
Halga - Hroðgar 's brother. He is hardly mentioned in Beowulf but he is a prominent character in Norse tradition. Hæþcyn - the son of the Geatish king Hreðel. Hæreð - the father of Hygd, queen of the Geats. Heaðolaf - Wulfing killed by Beowulf's father Ecgþeow.
Who is Beowulf loyal to?
Beowulf is loyal to her and her young son, Heardred, when Hygelac dies. Heardred Despite Beowulf's support, the young king, son of Hygelac and Hygd, is killed in a feud. Beowulf then becomes king of the Geats. Grendel A descendant of the biblical Cain, the enormous ogre despises mankind's joy.
Who is the only thane to stand with Beowulf against the dragon?
Wiglaf The only thane to stand with Beowulf against the dragon, he is the Geats' future king and a symbol of loyalty within the social/political structure of the comitatus. Hygelac King of the Geats and uncle to Beowulf, his death in battle (c. 520) is recorded historically, unlike most of the events in the poem.
What does the hilt mean in Beowulf?
Grendel sees it as a symbol of mankind's joy and delights in raiding and capturing it nightly. Previous About Beowulf.
What was the battle between Beowulf and Breca?
His raids throughout the countryside lead to a battle with Beowulf, the king's last. Two Men, Three Swords, and a Great Mead-Hall. Breca A royal member of the Brondings, he and Beowulf engaged in a swimming contest against each other as adolescents, which Unferth claims Beowulf lost.
What is the significance of Beowulf's ship funeral?
His ship funeral early in the poem is a significant ritual. Hrothgar The aging king of the Danes welcomes Beowulf's assistance in facing the menace of Grendel. His sermon to Beowulf before the Geat champion's departure is thematically important; his great mead-hall, Heorot, symbolizes the kingdom's success, civilization, and joy.
What is the sword that Beowulf uses to kill Grendel's mother?
Naegling Beowulf's own mighty sword is ineffective in the fight with the fiery dragon. Magical Giant Sword Beowulf miraculously finds this wonderful weapon in the underwater cave and uses it to kill Grendel's mother. It melts down to the hilt after Beowulf uses it to decapitate Grendel's corpse.
Where does Grendel's mother live?
Grendel's mother Although not as powerful as her son, she is a formidable foe. She and her son live in a cave beneath a swampy lake (or mere) where she battles Beowulf. Dragon Guarding a treasure-trove in Geatland, he is angered when a fugitive steals a single gold-plated flagon.
Who are the main characters in Beowulf?
Beowulf Characters. T he main characters in Beowulf are Beowulf, Hrothgar, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, Wiglaf, Wealhtheow, and Unferth. Beowulf is a Geatish hero who becomes king after defeating Grendel in battle. Hrothgar is the King of the Danes who accepts Beowulf's help in defeating Grendel. Grendel is the fiend who devours the men ...
Who is Beowulf in the book?
Beowulf (bay-eh-woolf), the nephew and thane of King Hygelac of the Geats. A warrior who proves his superhuman strength and endurance in his struggle with the monster Grendel, he exemplifies the ideal lord and vassal, rewarding his own men generously and accomplishing glorious deeds to honor his king, while he fulfills all the forms of courtesy at Hrothgar’s court.
What did Beowulf win over to the Geat?
He is won over by Beowulf’s victory against Grendel and lends the hero his sword, Hrunting, for the undersea battle against Grendel’s mother.
Why does Onela not dispute Beowulf's control of the Geat Kingdom?
This would explain why the Swedish king, Onela, does not dispute Beowulf's control of the Geat kingdom after Beowulf's cousin Heardred dies in battle with the Swedes. Ecgtheow was involved in a feud so violent that only Hrothgar would shelter him. Hrothgar was able to settle the feud. Freawaru.
How many sea monsters did Beowulf kill?
Beowulf comes ashore after killing nine sea monsters who tried to eat him. The champion of the Franks. Beowulf defeats him in single combat before the armies of the Geats and the Franks, crushing him in a bear hug. As late as the sixteenth century, writers assumed that dragons still existed in out-of-the-way places.
What is Beowulf's action?
Therefore, Beowulf's actions stem from bonds of blood and bonds of loyalty. When Beowulf duels verbally with Unferth, the courtier of Hrothgar who accuses him of cowardice in a swimming match with Breca, he essentially states in rebuttal: "I could have won that race if I hadn't been attacked by sea monsters.
What happened after Beowulf killed the dragon?
After killing the dragon, Beowulf earns a magnificent funeral and numerous physical and verbal tributes from his subjects. That ending marks the culmination of a heroic life lived strictly according to a code of honor, and it speaks volumes about the character of this "gracious and fair-minded" king. Grendel.
Beowulf
Beowulf is the eponymous character of the Old English epic poem Beowulf. Hailing from Geatland in Sweden, he proceeds to Denmark to help Hrothgar, the king of Denmark, who is attacked in his mead hall by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf slays Grendel and his mother, a notably powerful woman.
Hrothgar
Hrothgar, or King Hrothgar, is the King of Denmark in the poem Beowulf. He has a Heorot, a mead hall, which is the seat of his rule and the site where his warriors assemble for evening revelry. Awakened by the revelry, Grendel, a monster, attacks Hrothgar’s Heorot.
Wealhtheow
Wealhtheow is the Queen of Denmark by virtue of being Hrothgar’s wife.
Grendel
Grendel, the monster terrorizing Denmark, is the poem’s chief antagonist and is said to be a descendent of the Biblical character Cain. Unable to tolerate the ruckus caused by the revelry in King Hrothgar’s Heorot, he attacks the place every night for twelve years. He kills Hrothgar’s warriors and devours them.
The Dragon
The Dragon is the third antagonist in Beowulf. It is the first example of a fire-breathing dragon in English literature. Unlike the other two antagonists, the Dragon is not a descendant of Cain. Beowulf’s rule of Geatland is peaceful and prosperous for fifty years, before a thief steals a cup from the Dragon’s lair.
Shield Sheafson
King Shield Sheafson is the founder of a long line of highly regarded Danish kings. King Hrothgar is a descendent of King Sheafson. Sheafson was orphaned and abandoned as a child before becoming a warrior-king. The Danes accord him mythical status.
Halfdane
Halfdane succeeds Beow as the king of Denmark. He is also Hrothgar’s father.