Beowulf
"Beowulf" is an epic poem originating from Anglo-Saxon literature that narrates the heroic exploits of its titular character, Beowulf. Set in Scandinavia, the story begins in the kingdom of Hrothgar, where a monstrous creature named Grendel terrorizes the land by attacking the king's mead hall and devouring warriors. Beowulf, a noble warrior from the land of the Geats, hears of Hrothgar's plight and travels to Denmark with a band of men to confront Grendel. He successfully defeats the monster in a fierce battle, tearing off its arm, which leads to Grendel's retreat.
The tale progresses as Grendel's mother seeks vengeance, prompting Beowulf to descend into her underwater lair, where he ultimately kills her as well. After achieving glory and returning to his homeland, Beowulf eventually becomes king of the Geats. In his later years, he faces a dragon that threatens his kingdom, leading to a final confrontation that results in his death, though he succeeds in slaying the dragon with the aid of his loyal warrior, Wiglaf. The poem concludes with a poignant mourning of Beowulf, reflecting on his legacy as a brave and noble hero.
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Beowulf
First transcribed: CE 1000
Type of work: Poetry
Type of plot: Epic
Time of plot: Sixth century
Locale: Denmark and southern Sweden
Principal Characters
Beowulf , a Geat heroHrothgar , the king of the DanesUnferth , a Danish warriorWiglaf , a loyal noble of Beowulf’s court
The Poem
Once, long ago in Hrothgar’s kingdom, a monster named Grendel roamed the countryside at night. Rising from his marshy home, Grendel would stalk to the hall of the king, where he would seize fifteen of Hrothgar’s sleeping warriors and devour them. Departing, he would gather fifteen more into his huge arms and carry them back to his watery lair. For twelve years this slaughter continues.
Word of the terror spreads. In the land of the Geats, ruled over by Hygelac, lives Beowulf, a man of great strength and bravery. When he hears the tale of Hrothgar’s distress, he sets sail for Denmark to rid the land of its fear. With a company of fourteen men he comes ashore and asks a coast watcher to lead him to Hrothgar’s high hall. There he is feasted in great honor while the mead cup goes around the table. Unferth reminds Beowulf of a swimming contest that Beowulf was said to have lost. Beowulf says only that he has more strength and that he also slaughtered many deadly monsters in the sea. At the close of the feast, Hrothgar and his warriors go to their rest, leaving Beowulf and his band in the hall. Then the awful Grendel comes to the hall and seizes one of the sleeping warriors. He is fated to kill no more that night, for Beowulf without shield or spear seizes the dreaded monster and wrenches off his right arm. Thus maimed, Grendel flees to his marshland home. His bloody arm is hung in Hrothgar’s hall.
The next night Grendel’s mother comes to avenge her son. Bursting into the great hall, she seizes one of the warriors, Aeschere, Hrothgar’s chief counselor, and flees with him into the night. She also takes with her the prized arm of Grendel. Beowulf is asleep in a house removed from the hall and not until morning does he learn of the monster’s visit. Then, with Hrothgar leading the way, a mournful procession approaches the dire marsh. At its edge they see the head of the ill-fated Aeschere and see the stain of blood on the water. Beowulf prepares for a descent to the home of the foe. Unferth offers Beowulf the finest sword in the kingdom and thus forfeits his own chance of brave deeds.
As Beowulf sinks beneath the waters of the marsh, he is beset on every hand by prodigious monsters. After a long swim he comes to the lair of Grendel’s mother. Failing to wound her with Unferth’s sword, he seizes the monster by the shoulder and throws her to the ground. During a grim hand-to-hand battle, in which Beowulf is being worsted, he sights a famous old sword of the giants, which he seizes and thrusts at Grendel’s mother, who falls in helpless death throes. Then Beowulf turns and sees Grendel lying weak and maimed on the floor of the lair. Quickly he swings the sword and severs Grendel’s head from his body. As he begins to swim back up to the surface of the marsh, the sword with which he has killed his enemies melts until only the head and hilt are left. On his return, the Danes rejoice and fete him with another high feast. He presents the sword hilt to Hrothgar and returns Unferth’s sword without telling that it failed him.
The time comes for Beowulf’s return to his homeland. He leaves Denmark in great glory and sails toward the land of the Geats. Once more at the court of his lord Hygelac, he is held in high esteem and is rewarded with riches and position. After many years, Beowulf himself becomes the king of the Geats. One of the Geats accidentally discovers an ancient hoard of treasure and, while its guardian dragon sleeps, carries away a golden goblet that he presents to Beowulf. The discovery of the loss causes the dragon to rise in fury and to devastate the land. Old man that he is, Beowulf determines to rid his kingdom of the dragon’s scourge. Daring the flames of the dragon’s nostrils, he smites his foe with his sword, but without effect. Once more Beowulf is forced to rely on the grip of his mighty hands. Of all his warriors only Wiglaf stands by his king; the others flee. The dragon rushes at Beowulf and sinks its teeth deeply into his neck, but Wiglaf smites the dragon with his sword, and Beowulf with his war-knife gives the dragon its deathblow.
Weak from loss of blood, the old hero is dying. His last act is to give Wiglaf a king’s collar of gold. The other warriors now come out of hiding and burn with pagan rites the body of their dead king. From the dragon’s lair they take the treasure hoard and bury it in the great mound they build over Beowulf’s ashes. Then with due ceremony they mourn the passing of the great and dauntless Beowulf.
Bibliography
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