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