Beowulf - Hero of the age
By zteve t evans
Beowulf is an epic poem originally written in Old English about a mythical warrior who epitomised the perfect warrior qualities of courage, honesty, loyalty and strength. This work is a brief synopsis of the poem.
The building of the king's hall
The story begins with the funeral of the great King Scyld of Denmark and ends with his own. King Scyld's great-grandson and successor King Hrothgar builds a great and luxurious hall for his warriors to live in and he names it Heorot. When the hall has been completed King Hrothgar hosts a great and lavish feast and all his warriors gather there to celebrate.
The building of the king's hall
The story begins with the funeral of the great King Scyld of Denmark and ends with his own. King Scyld's great-grandson and successor King Hrothgar builds a great and luxurious hall for his warriors to live in and he names it Heorot. When the hall has been completed King Hrothgar hosts a great and lavish feast and all his warriors gather there to celebrate.
Grendel - Marshall, Henrietta Elizabeth (1908) Stories of Beowulf, T.C. & E.C. Jack - Public Domain
Grendel
Unknown to the king or his warriors the noise of their celebrations has awoken Grendel, a monster whose lair is at the bottom of a nearby lake. Grendel raids the hall one night killing thirty of the king's best warriors while they sleep. Each time the hall is used for feasting over the next 12 years Grendel appears and kills great number of warriors. King Hrothgar and his best advisors can find no way of ridding themselves of Grendel or a way to assuage his anger.
Beowulf, Prince of the Geats
Beowulf, a prince of the Geats of Sweden, and greatest warrior of the age, hears of King Hrothgar's problems he vows to help rid the Danes of Grendel. Gathering 14 of his most trusted and bravest warriors to him he sails to Denmark to the court of King Hrothgar to offer his help.
When Beowulf and his band of warriors arrive in Denmark they are welcomed by King Hrothgar and a banquet is given in their honour. with the ale and wine flowing Beowulf boasts about his past exploits and how he fought and defeated sea monsters. Although many of the king's thanes were thrilled by his boasting some were openly skeptical and full of resentment openly and loudly doubting the feats that he boasted of. Such a one was a man called Unferth who publicly challenged and threw scorn on Beowulf's claims. Stung by Unferth's rebukes Beowulf accuses him of being responsible for the killing of his two brothers. Nevertheless, Hrothgar is sufficiently impressed or desperate enough, to offer Beowulf great riches if he rids him of Grendel.
Beowulf kills Grendel
The noise of the feasting awakens Grendel who raids the great hall that night. This time he is met by Beowulf who wrestles with him with his bare hands ripping off one of his claw-like arms from the shoulder. Mortally wounded, Grendel escapes returning to his lair underneath the lake. His severed arm is left behind in the great hall and becomes evidence and a trophy of Beowulf's victory.
Hrothgar and his Danish warriors who had fled the hall now return heaping great praise upon Beowulf and his victory over Grendel. The king gives Beowulf great riches from his treasure trove as he had promised and orders a great victory feast for that evening. There is great feasting and drinking and finally the Geats and the Danes go to their beds to sleep off the excesses.
Unknown to the king or his warriors the noise of their celebrations has awoken Grendel, a monster whose lair is at the bottom of a nearby lake. Grendel raids the hall one night killing thirty of the king's best warriors while they sleep. Each time the hall is used for feasting over the next 12 years Grendel appears and kills great number of warriors. King Hrothgar and his best advisors can find no way of ridding themselves of Grendel or a way to assuage his anger.
Beowulf, Prince of the Geats
Beowulf, a prince of the Geats of Sweden, and greatest warrior of the age, hears of King Hrothgar's problems he vows to help rid the Danes of Grendel. Gathering 14 of his most trusted and bravest warriors to him he sails to Denmark to the court of King Hrothgar to offer his help.
When Beowulf and his band of warriors arrive in Denmark they are welcomed by King Hrothgar and a banquet is given in their honour. with the ale and wine flowing Beowulf boasts about his past exploits and how he fought and defeated sea monsters. Although many of the king's thanes were thrilled by his boasting some were openly skeptical and full of resentment openly and loudly doubting the feats that he boasted of. Such a one was a man called Unferth who publicly challenged and threw scorn on Beowulf's claims. Stung by Unferth's rebukes Beowulf accuses him of being responsible for the killing of his two brothers. Nevertheless, Hrothgar is sufficiently impressed or desperate enough, to offer Beowulf great riches if he rids him of Grendel.
Beowulf kills Grendel
The noise of the feasting awakens Grendel who raids the great hall that night. This time he is met by Beowulf who wrestles with him with his bare hands ripping off one of his claw-like arms from the shoulder. Mortally wounded, Grendel escapes returning to his lair underneath the lake. His severed arm is left behind in the great hall and becomes evidence and a trophy of Beowulf's victory.
Hrothgar and his Danish warriors who had fled the hall now return heaping great praise upon Beowulf and his victory over Grendel. The king gives Beowulf great riches from his treasure trove as he had promised and orders a great victory feast for that evening. There is great feasting and drinking and finally the Geats and the Danes go to their beds to sleep off the excesses.
Grendel's mother
What they did not know was that Grendel's mother had found her dying son and was now plotting vengence. Both Grendel and his mother were the monstrous descendants of Cain and the last of their kind on earth.
As Beowulf and the warriors sleep in the great hall Grendel's mother attacks killing many men and taking the king's advisor, Aeschere prisoner carrying him and Grendel's torn arm back to her lair at the bottom of the lake.
King Hrothgar and the Danes were distraught at the loss of Aeschere and fearful because they believed Grendel's mother would start another reign of terror. Beowulf offers to hunt down and kill Grendel's mother. Hrothgar gratefully takes up the offer promising even greater treasure as a reward to Beowulf should he succeed.
Beowulf and his warrior band along with King Hrothgar and his warriors track the monster back to the lake where her lair is. Set on the edge of a cliff they find the blood covered head of Aeschere. Beowulf tells the king that he would dive to the bottom of the lake to the lair and kill Grendel's mother. He asks the king to protect his band of warriors if he should fail to return and send his reward for killing Grendel to King Hygelac.
Beowulf fights Grendel's mother
As Beowulf isnpreparing to enter the lake to do battle with him he is approached by Unferth, the Danish thane who mocked and berated him. Unferth, having seen how Beowulf defeated Grendel is repentant of his behaviour, apologising and offers him his sword which is named Hrunting. Beowulf accepts both sword and apologies and dives into the lake in full armour to fight with Grendel's mother.
As soon as Beowulf enters the water Grendel's mother senses his presence and attacks. Beowulf hues at her body with Hrunting but cannot cut or scratch her skin. She in turn attacks Beowulf trying to bite him with her monstrous teeth and clawing at him with taloned hands but she cannot piece his armour. Realising she cannot kill him like that she takes hold of him and and carries him off to her lair at the bottom of the lake which is a huge cave. Inside the cave lies the body of Grendel. Grasping Beowulf around the throat she begins to throttle him. Though Beowulf resists fiercely he is almost overcome but sees a sword that has been placed in the cave. Unknown to Beowulf the sword has magical properties but he manages to grasp it and swing it with his last ounce of strength and cutting her head off killing her. He cuts the head off the dead body of Grendel and returns to the surface of the lake. The king and the warriors are all delighted to find him still alive and to have succeeded in killing the last of the brood of Cain to haunt the earth.
What they did not know was that Grendel's mother had found her dying son and was now plotting vengence. Both Grendel and his mother were the monstrous descendants of Cain and the last of their kind on earth.
As Beowulf and the warriors sleep in the great hall Grendel's mother attacks killing many men and taking the king's advisor, Aeschere prisoner carrying him and Grendel's torn arm back to her lair at the bottom of the lake.
King Hrothgar and the Danes were distraught at the loss of Aeschere and fearful because they believed Grendel's mother would start another reign of terror. Beowulf offers to hunt down and kill Grendel's mother. Hrothgar gratefully takes up the offer promising even greater treasure as a reward to Beowulf should he succeed.
Beowulf and his warrior band along with King Hrothgar and his warriors track the monster back to the lake where her lair is. Set on the edge of a cliff they find the blood covered head of Aeschere. Beowulf tells the king that he would dive to the bottom of the lake to the lair and kill Grendel's mother. He asks the king to protect his band of warriors if he should fail to return and send his reward for killing Grendel to King Hygelac.
Beowulf fights Grendel's mother
As Beowulf isnpreparing to enter the lake to do battle with him he is approached by Unferth, the Danish thane who mocked and berated him. Unferth, having seen how Beowulf defeated Grendel is repentant of his behaviour, apologising and offers him his sword which is named Hrunting. Beowulf accepts both sword and apologies and dives into the lake in full armour to fight with Grendel's mother.
As soon as Beowulf enters the water Grendel's mother senses his presence and attacks. Beowulf hues at her body with Hrunting but cannot cut or scratch her skin. She in turn attacks Beowulf trying to bite him with her monstrous teeth and clawing at him with taloned hands but she cannot piece his armour. Realising she cannot kill him like that she takes hold of him and and carries him off to her lair at the bottom of the lake which is a huge cave. Inside the cave lies the body of Grendel. Grasping Beowulf around the throat she begins to throttle him. Though Beowulf resists fiercely he is almost overcome but sees a sword that has been placed in the cave. Unknown to Beowulf the sword has magical properties but he manages to grasp it and swing it with his last ounce of strength and cutting her head off killing her. He cuts the head off the dead body of Grendel and returns to the surface of the lake. The king and the warriors are all delighted to find him still alive and to have succeeded in killing the last of the brood of Cain to haunt the earth.
Beowulf's farewell
Beowulf, King Hrothgar and the warriors return to the king's hall where Hrothgar orders a great celebration banquet in honour of Beowulf and to celebrate the death of the monsters. Hrothgar bestows great treasures on to Beowulf in gratitude of his mighty deed and the pair embrace like father and son. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that it is time for him to sail for home and that should the king ever need him then he would always be ready to return and give aid.
Beowulf returns home triumphant
Beowulf and his small band of warriors return to their home in Geatland where their return is greatly welcomed. Beowulf tells King Hygelac how he killed Grendel and his mother. For his courage and prowess Hygelac awards Beowulf with weapons, properties and land.
Beowulf, King of the Geats
Beowulf has been King of the Geats for 50 years governing and leading his people wisely. Things change when a thief steals a precious cup from a sleeping dragon. On awakening and finding the cup gone the dragon rages with anger and flying up into the night sky sets fire to houses, towns and even Beowulf's royal hall and throne.
Beowulf although now an old man and has lost much if his strength decides he will fight the dragon to save his people and determines to kill it. With many of his warriors he goes to the dragon's lair but decides to fight it alone. Beowulf meets the dragon and the fight begins.
Although Beowulf strikes mightily to the dragon's body he cannot deliver a killer blow and only succeeds in provoking the beast to greater rage. With flames billowing from its mouth and nostrils the dragon launches a terrifying attack severely wounding Beowulf. All Beowulf could do was shelter behind his shield.
Meanwhile the warriors who followed him to the dragon's lair cower outside not daring to enter the lair to help him. At last a warrior named Wiglaf feels ashamed of his cowardice and vows to help Beowulf. Rushing into the lair while the dragon is pre-occupied with Beowulf he attacks and catching it unawares manages to stab it in the neck with his sword. As the dragon's attention shifts to Wiglaf, Beowulf renews his attack and with the last of his strength and courage splits the dragon in half with his knife,
Beowulf dies
The dragon is killed but Beowulf is mortally wounded. As he lays dying he tells Wiglaf to bring to him all the treasures of the dragon so that he may see it before he dies. Wiglaf does as Beowulf bids and the dragon's hoard is placed before him for him to look upon. Beowulf then tells Wiglaf to build a great cairn for his tomb that looks out over the sea which is now called Beowulf's tower.
Beowulf dies and in fury Wiglaf turns on the warriors who deserted Beowulf in his hour of need pouring scorn on their honesty, loyalty and courage the virtues that Beowulf exemplified. Questioning their right to be called warriors he told them they were disgraced for ever.
The funeral of Beowulf
Wiglaf sends messages to the rest of the Geatland army and people telling them the outcome of the battle with the dragon. He ensures that Beowulf's instructions are followed and the funeral pyre is built. After the fire Beowulf and the dragon's hoard are buried alongside him in his tomb. The story end as it had finished with the funeral of a great warrior who exemplified ideals of the warrior cult.
© 19/01/2015 zteve t evans
Beowulf, King Hrothgar and the warriors return to the king's hall where Hrothgar orders a great celebration banquet in honour of Beowulf and to celebrate the death of the monsters. Hrothgar bestows great treasures on to Beowulf in gratitude of his mighty deed and the pair embrace like father and son. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that it is time for him to sail for home and that should the king ever need him then he would always be ready to return and give aid.
Beowulf returns home triumphant
Beowulf and his small band of warriors return to their home in Geatland where their return is greatly welcomed. Beowulf tells King Hygelac how he killed Grendel and his mother. For his courage and prowess Hygelac awards Beowulf with weapons, properties and land.
Beowulf, King of the Geats
Beowulf has been King of the Geats for 50 years governing and leading his people wisely. Things change when a thief steals a precious cup from a sleeping dragon. On awakening and finding the cup gone the dragon rages with anger and flying up into the night sky sets fire to houses, towns and even Beowulf's royal hall and throne.
Beowulf although now an old man and has lost much if his strength decides he will fight the dragon to save his people and determines to kill it. With many of his warriors he goes to the dragon's lair but decides to fight it alone. Beowulf meets the dragon and the fight begins.
Although Beowulf strikes mightily to the dragon's body he cannot deliver a killer blow and only succeeds in provoking the beast to greater rage. With flames billowing from its mouth and nostrils the dragon launches a terrifying attack severely wounding Beowulf. All Beowulf could do was shelter behind his shield.
Meanwhile the warriors who followed him to the dragon's lair cower outside not daring to enter the lair to help him. At last a warrior named Wiglaf feels ashamed of his cowardice and vows to help Beowulf. Rushing into the lair while the dragon is pre-occupied with Beowulf he attacks and catching it unawares manages to stab it in the neck with his sword. As the dragon's attention shifts to Wiglaf, Beowulf renews his attack and with the last of his strength and courage splits the dragon in half with his knife,
Beowulf dies
The dragon is killed but Beowulf is mortally wounded. As he lays dying he tells Wiglaf to bring to him all the treasures of the dragon so that he may see it before he dies. Wiglaf does as Beowulf bids and the dragon's hoard is placed before him for him to look upon. Beowulf then tells Wiglaf to build a great cairn for his tomb that looks out over the sea which is now called Beowulf's tower.
Beowulf dies and in fury Wiglaf turns on the warriors who deserted Beowulf in his hour of need pouring scorn on their honesty, loyalty and courage the virtues that Beowulf exemplified. Questioning their right to be called warriors he told them they were disgraced for ever.
The funeral of Beowulf
Wiglaf sends messages to the rest of the Geatland army and people telling them the outcome of the battle with the dragon. He ensures that Beowulf's instructions are followed and the funeral pyre is built. After the fire Beowulf and the dragon's hoard are buried alongside him in his tomb. The story end as it had finished with the funeral of a great warrior who exemplified ideals of the warrior cult.
© 19/01/2015 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright January 19th, 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright January 19th, 2015 zteve t evans
- Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem - Project Gutenberg
- Beowulf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Beowulf - British Library
