Beowulf (up to the defeat of Grendel) - Summary

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[PROLOGUE] Beowulf begins with the description of the genealogy of the Danes. Scyld arrives in Denmark alone on a treasure ship as a young child. He goes on to become a great king. He is given a splendid burial in a ship filled with treasure. He has a son Beow who is also a glorious king. Beow has a son Healfdene who is a great warrior who has four children amongst whom are Heorogar, Hrothgar and Helga.

[BEOWULF AND GRENDEL]

[THE HALL HEOROT IS ATTACHKED BY GRENDEL] Hrothgar is king, and has a huge hall built called Heorot. He is successful in ruling and battle, until his hall and the kingdom is attacked repeatedly by the monster Grendel, a descendent of Cain's, to complete wreckage. They pray to the Devil, as heathens do but they ought to have prayed to god.

[THE COMING OF BEOWULF TO HEOROT] Beowulf, the bravest of the Geats, heard of Grendel's deeds. He organized a team of good soldiers and crosses the ocean to Hrothgar's kingdom. Thanks to their splendid war gear, the team is welcomed into Hrothgar's presence. Beowulf relates tales of his heroic victories from home, and asks that he might come to try and defeat Grendel. He will do so without weapons. Hrothgar accepts Beowulf's proposal and the Danes and Geats sit to a feast.

[THE FEAST AT HEOROT] Unferth, a soldier under Hrothgar, vexed at the prospect of Beowulf gaining more glory than he, taunts Beowulf for having once lost a swimming competition. Beowulf responds braggingly that while swimming he defeated nine monsters and that if Unferth were as brave as he claims to be he would have defeated Grendel.

Hrothgar's wife, Wealhtheow, serves drinks according to the hierarchy of the diners: first to her husband, then the Danish soldiers, and finally Beowulf. Finally they retire, Hrothgar bidding good luck to Beowulf, the first man ever entrusted with Heorot's fate. He promises to give him whatever he wished if he is victorious.

[THE FIGHT WITH GRENDEL] Beowulf boasts of his greatness and expresses trust that God will direct the results of the battle. In the night Grendel tears into Heorot, convinced of victory. He slaughters one man. Then he assaults the sleeping Beowulf, who grabs him strongly, bringing immediate fear into his heart. Warriors who try to use weapons find them useless. After a struggle Beowulf defeats Grendel barehanded.

[CELEBRATION AT HEOROT] Leaders from all across the land come to rejoice over Grendel's defeat. Even though it wasn't Hrothgar who defeated Grendel his people consider him a good king. Beowulf's tale is spread far and wide by reciters of stories. These reciters tell of another mythological Norse hero, Sigemund. Hrothgar thanks God for the defeat of Grendel and Blesses Beowulf. Beowulf brags some, retelling his defeat of Grendel, and Grendel's hand is hung over the roof of the hall.

An additional feast is prepared to celebrate. Grendel and his men are given many gifts as a sign of gratitude. Then a funeral is held for all those who died fighting Grendel. They are burned at the pyre together, their expensive war gear intact.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-43045874
Beowulf. Illustration source

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