BeowulfBeowulf(c. 700-1000 A.D.)

It is an Old EnglishOld English heroic epic poem of anonymous authorship, its creation dates to between the 8th and

the 11th century, the only surviving manuscriptmanuscript dating to circa 1010 AD.

It is the longest and greatest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem; with its 3,182 lines3,182 lines, it represents about 10% of

the extant corpus of Old English poetry.

It has risen to national epic status in England.

The poem is untitleduntitled in the manuscript, but has been known as Beowulf since the early 19th century.

Hwæt! Wé Gárdena      in géardagum þéodcyninga      þrym gefrúnon· hú ðá æþelingas      ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scéfing      sceaþena þréatum monegum maégþum      meodosetla oftéah· egsode Eorle      syððan aérest wearð féasceaft funden      hé þæs frófre gebád· wéox under wolcnum·      weorðmyndum þáh oð þæt him aéghwylc      þára ymbsittendra ofer hronráde      hýran scolde, gomban gyldan·      þæt wæs gód cyning. Ðaém eafera wæs      æfter cenned geong in geardum      þone god sende folce tó frófre·      fyrenðearfe ongeat·

Hwæt! Wé Gárdena      in géardagum   Listen! We --of the Spear Danes     in the days of yore,

þéodcyninga      þrym gefrúnon·   of those clan-kings--      heard of their glory.

hú ðá æþelingas      ellen fremedon.   how those nobles      performed courageous deeds.

Oft Scyld Scéfing      sceaþena þréatum   Often Scvld Scef’s son,      from enemy hosts

monegum maégþum      meodosetla oftéah· 5 from many peoples      seized mead-benches;

egsode Eorle      syððan aérest wearð   and terrorised the fearsome Heruli      after first he was

féasceaft funden      hé þæs frófre gebád·   found helpless and destitute,      he then knew recompense for that:-

wéox under wolcnum·      weorðmyndum þáh   he waxed under the clouds,      throve in honours,

oð þæt him aéghwylc      þára ymbsittendra   until to him each      of the bordering tribes

ofer hronráde      hýran scolde, 10

beyond the whale-road      had to submit,

gomban gyldan·      þæt wæs gód cyning.   and yield tribute:-      that was a good king!

Ðaém eafera wæs      æfter cenned   To him a heir was      born then

geong in geardum      þone god sende   young in the yards,      God sent him

folce tó frófre·      fyrenðearfe ongeat·   to comfort the people;      He had seen the dire distress

The setting of the epic is the the sixth centurysixth century in what is now known as DenmarkDenmark and south-western south-western SwedenSweden.

The characters and the relationships among them

IntroductionIntroduction The poem’s narrator calls for the attention of his audience and introduces his topic with a

brief genealogy of the Scyldings (Danes), King Hrothgar’s ancestry.King Hrothgar’s ancestry.

His great-grandfather, King ScyldKing Scyld, began the Danish royal line. He defeated many populations in war,

bringing them under his reign.

King Scyld had a son, BeowBeow, King Hrothgar’s grandfather. Beow found fame among the

nations his father ruled.

He gave many gifts to these nations, ensuring their devotion to his own kingship.

The unknown author of Beowulfauthor of Beowulf knew that a generous king could win the popularity of the masses.

King ScyldKing Scyld also left specific burial instructionsburial instructions. Following Scyld’s requests, King Beow ordered his father’s body to be

placed on a ship adorned with much treasure and accoutrements of war. After the completion of this

task, the ship was set adrift on the open sea.

(---)(---)

HrothgarHrothgar grew up being a noble warrior and, eventually, a kind and generous king. He built a

mead hall where he and his men could discuss great political and

social issues and have great celebrations.

He called the hall HeorotHeorot.

At HeorotHeorot, men attended meetings and, during parties, guests enjoyed hearing scopsscops

(impromptu singers) sing about various issues, including the creation of man. Life was good then. The king’s loyal followers lived happy

lives.

Then an evil demon, GrendelGrendel, an offspring of Cain is introduced. Wallowing in his own misery, Grendel wishes to interrupt the joy at Heorot hall. He begins to scheme and “work his wickedness” (line

101)

One night, after beer-drinking and feasting, everyone in the hall went to sleep. GrendelGrendel proceeded to attack the

hall, killing thirty thanes (the king’s retainers) in their sleep.

The following morning, there is great sorrow among the king and his men. They are also surprised by the extent to which this stranger caused such damage. But GrendelGrendel is not finished with

the destruction of HeorotHeorot.

King HrothgarKing Hrothgar and his men fought GrendelGrendel for several more years. They were miserable. The king’s council often sat for

hours considering the best way to defend themselves. Times were difficult. GrendelGrendel did not want peace, nor did he compensate for his many killings (customary in this society).

His ceaseless violence kept Hrothgar’s kingdomHrothgar’s kingdom on their toes for twelve years.

The following night, he came back to the hallhall to commit more havoc and murder.

Lines 194–606Lines 194–606

Meanwhile in GeatGeat, BeowulfBeowulf, son and thane of King King EcgtheowEcgtheow, heard of the horrible attacks by Grendel at HeorotHeorot and decided to offer his assistance to the Danish kingthe Danish king. He then chose fourteen of his bravest warriors to

accompany him on his expedition.

When the time came, the warriors packed the ship

with weapons and supplies, and then set sail.

BeowulfBeowulf and his well-equipped soldiers arrived off the Danish coastDanish coast where a coastguard troop approached them.

Protected by chain mail, shields and weapons, the lone guard feared an attack by this force and immediately demanded to

know their business. BeowulfBeowulf answered they came to help the king, to counsel him on how the Danesthe Danes could defeat GrendelGrendel.

After the explanation, the Danethe Dane proceeded to escort the Geatsthe Geats to see King HrothgarHrothgar.

BeowulfBeowulf and his men marched a cobbled road to the king’s hall where they are approached by King Hrothgar’s heraldKing Hrothgar’s herald, Wulfgar the Wendel. Desperate for help against GrendelGrendel, Wulfgar practically begs the king to see

BeowulfBeowulf .

Lines 607–836Lines 607–836

King HrothgarKing Hrothgar knew of BeowulfBeowulf and impressed with his reputation for braveness and strength, the king told the herald that BeowulfBeowulf and his men were welcomed among his people,

and to invite the warrior in to speak with him.

Looking impressive in his shiny armour, BeowulfBeowulf stood before King Hrothgar as a representative of the Geats as a nation.

BeowulfBeowulf told the king his plan to “cleanse Heorot” of GrendelGrendel.

Since Grendel Grendel did not use conventional weapons, but only his hands, BeowulfBeowulf also informed the king that he would be fighting Grendel Grendel in hand-to-hand combat, so his father might take even

more pride in his son’s expedition.

BeowulfBeowulf came to help KingKing HrothgarHrothgar to repay a debt incurred by his father, EcgtheowEcgtheow, who fled GeatGeat to DenmarkDenmark, and could not

return unless damages were compensated. King Hrothgar paid to settle the feud.

HrothgarHrothgar also said how he felt humiliated by GrendelGrendel’s unstoppable power, and thethe DanesDanes’

inability to halt the threat.

HrothgarHrothgar invited BeowulfBeowulf and his men to a feast, and adjourned to the beer hall. They consumed food and drink and listened to a scopscop

sing. Like many party-goers in the hall before them, the Geatsthe Geats were happy and had a great time.

The Mead HallThe Mead Hall

Threatened by BeowulfBeowulf’s glorious reputation, UnferthUnferth, a thane of King Hrothgar’s, ridiculed BeowulfBeowulf’for a lost swimming contest,

assuming BeowulfBeowulf’to be too weak to win GrendelGrendel.

BeowulfBeowulf’defended himself. Despite losing the contest, he believed himself to be the stronger of the two competitors.

He told of a “sea-monster” that pulled him under the water where, eventually, after a long fight he

killed it with his sword.

BeowulfBeowulf explained to UnferthUnferth that he, in fact,

killed nine creatures during this contest, and this slowed him down during the race.

In Beowulf’sBeowulf’s view, UnferthUnferth has no reason to be boasting about

himself or ridiculing anyone and places blame on UnferthUnferth for the

toll GrendelGrendel has taken on HeorotHeorot, the king and his men.

BeowulfBeowulf then vowed to show GrendelGrendel the strength and

courage of the Geatsthe Geats. The king

now felt more confident than ever in Beowulf’sBeowulf’s abilities.

HrothgarHrothgar wished BeowulfBeowulf and his men good luck, and

retired for the night.

Never before did the king leave the hall in the care of someone with such trust.

BeowulfBeowulf and his men also retire for the night. All fall asleep except one: BeowulfBeowulf. Awake, and waiting for

GrendelGrendel, not one of his men doubted Beowulf’sBeowulf’s capability

to defeat this monster, and live to return to GeatGeat.

He also thought of his history and when he was young. In an unusual display, he recalled the smell of flowers when he was a child, a stark contrast to the setting he was currently in.

GrendelGrendel attacked the hall that night. He forced himself into the hall searching for prey.

Before BeowulfBeowulf could engage in a fight with the monster, GrendelGrendel devoured one sleeping warrior.

With fingers broken, GrendelGrendel tried to flee, but BeowulfBeowulf pursued.

A great fight ensued until GrendelGrendel finally succumbed to his fatal wounds.

Next, he came for BeowulfBeowulf. BeowulfBeowulf leaned up from his bed and placed a tight grip on Grendel’sGrendel’s fingers.

The creature never experienced such pain before.

At this point, GrendelGrendel's arm is torn off his body by

BeowulfBeowulf and he flees, wounded.

BeowulfBeowulf hangs the arm high in the hall as proof

that he has defeated GrendelGrendel.

[Beowulf’sBeowulf’s followers are all ready to fight, but their weapons are no match for GrendelGrendel, as even "the sharpest and hardest iron could not

scratch at his skin." (801-802)]

The warriors all went back to the battlefield and

retraced GrendelGrendel's footsteps to ensure that he was indeed dead.

They felt no regret for his

suffering.

Then they went back to HeorotHeorot. As morning slid past and was gone,

everyone returned and began to celebrate Grendel’sGrendel’s defeat.

Hrothgar then offers BeowulfBeowulf and his men

gifts, but BeowulfBeowulf declines for he fought for honour and

not for the treasures. With this,

UnferthUnferth was left speechless because

BeowulfBeowulf has killed the great beast, GrendelGrendel with his bare hands.

Lines 837–1062Lines 837–1062HrothgarHrothgar enters the hall staring at Grendel’sGrendel’s arm

thanking God that he was finally defeated.

Lines 1063–1250Lines 1063–1250

As the celebration continues within HeorotHeorot, Hrothgar’sHrothgar’s scop honors BeowulfBeowulf with a story of another DanishDanish victory, the Finnsburh

episode.

On the night following GrendelGrendel ’s death, the warriors sleep easy in HeorotHeorot for

the first time in years, confident that the terror of the ogre is behind them. They don’t realize that GrendelGrendel has a

living mothermother intent on revenge. She ascends from her mere and raids the hall, retrieving Grendel’sGrendel’s claw and murderously

abducting one of the thanes.

Before dawn, BeowulfBeowulf and his men report to HrothgarHrothgar.

The Geat heroThe Geat hero agrees to pursue Grendel’s motherGrendel’s mother.

Lines 1251–1491Lines 1251–1491

HrothgarHrothgar promises more rewards and greater fame for BeowulfBeowulf.

Accompanied by warriors, Hrothgar leads BeowulfBeowulf to the mere that harbours the

vengeful mothermother.

It is a dark and evil place. Huge serpents and water-beasts

inhabit the lake.

BeowulfBeowulf dresses for battle and prepares to search the lake for the enemy.

UnferthUnferth humbles himself by presenting BeowulfBeowulf with his great sword, Hrunting.

The Geat heroThe Geat hero speaks what may be his

final words.

Lines 1492–1650Lines 1492–1650

BeowulfBeowulf dives into the mere wearing his mail-shirt and carrying HruntingHrunting in its scabbard. Deep in the lake, the mothermother grasps him tightly with her

claws so that he cannot draw his sword.

The mail-shirt protects him even though various water-beasts thrust at him as the mothermother

carries BeowulfBeowulf to an underwater cave, which is dry and lighted by

“glaring flames” (1517). Once there, BeowulfBeowulf manages to mount an attack, but HruntingHrunting is

ineffective against the ogre’s tough hide.

BeowulfBeowulf then tries to wrestle her, but he fails to gain the kind of death grip that defeated GrendelGrendel. - Although she is

knocked down, the mothermother immediately counters Beowulf’sBeowulf’s attack and soon is sitting on him.

She pulls her knife, but it cannot pierce his mail-shirt. Again on his feet, BeowulfBeowulf spots a huge sword made by giants. Although he can barely

lift it, he manages a mighty blow that severs the mother’s spine at the

neck, killing her.

A blessed light suddenly illuminates the cavern, revealing Grendel’sGrendel’s corpse. BeowulfBeowulf lops off the head to replace the

trophy of the claw that the mothermother retrieved. Amazingly, the giant sword melts except for the hilt, which BeowulfBeowulf carries along with Grendel’s head as he returns to

the surface of the mere.

Only his GeatsGeats await him.

Thinking him dead, HrothgarHrothgar and the Danesthe Danes have returned to HeorotHeorot.

Lines 1651–1887Lines 1651–1887

BeowulfBeowulf presents GrendelGrendel’s head to HrothgarHrothgar and briefly recounts his battle with the mother. Assuring the king of

HeorotHeorot ’s safety, he places the gold hilt of the giant sword in HrothgarHrothgar ’s hand. The king examines the hilt and then speaks to BeowulfBeowulf , giving a sermon on the dangers of fame and success and the vicissitudes of life. HrothgarHrothgar notes that he himself had great fortune as a young man

and ruled successfully for 50 years until GrendelGrendel brought him down. Now he thanks God for Beowulf’sBeowulf’s victory.

The warriors feast and sleep safely.

In the morning, BeowulfBeowulf returns HruntingHrunting to UnferthUnferth and receives numerous gifts before he and his men exchange

farewells with the Danesthe Danes and sail for home.

Lines 1888–2199 Lines 1888–2199

BeowulfBeowulf and his men return to their ship and set sail for GeatlandGeatland.

The poet interrupts his report on Beowulf’s Beowulf’s return to discuss the Geats’ Queen HygdQueen Hygd and the qualities of a virtuous queen as contrasted to a wicked ruler like Queen Modthrytho. After this interlude, the narrator returns to Beowulf’sBeowulf’s arrival at King HygelacKing Hygelac’s splendid hall.

HygdHygd passes among the thanes serving mead, reminiscent of WealhtheowWealhtheow ’s

admirable hospitality at HeorotHeorot. HygelacHygelac asks about Beowulf’sBeowulf’s journey,

and the young champion recounts his visit to the Scyldingsthe Scyldings, digressing to consider

Hrothgar’s attempt to make peace with the Heathobardsthe Heathobards. -

Returning to his own story, BeowulfBeowulf briefly reports on his victory over GrendelGrendel, the surprise attack by

Grendel’sGrendel’s mothermother, and his triumph at the cave beneath the mere. gave him.

BeowulfBeowulf presents various treasures to HygelacHygelac and HygdHygd,

most notably presenting the queen with the magnificent gold

necklace that WealhtheowWealhtheow