Beowulf

Beowulf Fights Grendel

Grendel

The swamp demon, Grendel, had been terrorizing the kingdom of Denmark for 12 years when a brave Geatish warrior came and said he would fight it. That warrior was Beowulf. Beowulf fought Grendel in single combat, hand to hand, when Grendel attacked Heorot, the kings royal hall. In this fight, Grendel "took mortal hurt; a mighty wound showed on his shoulder" (lines 817-818) as Beowulf, quite literally, rips his arm off, which causes Grendel to run away to "his den in the dark moor" (line 821), where he dies. This shows the great courage of Beowulf, because when Grendel had killed other men in droves, and he knew he would probably die, Beowulf still fought Grendel for the people of Denmark and for king Hrothgar.

Beowulf Fights Grendel's mother

Grendel's

Mother

Seeking vengeance for her son, Grendel's mother emerged from her lair in the swamp and killed one of king Hrothgar's most trusted advisers. Beowulf, in response to this atrocity, ventured into the swamp and into the underwater lair of Grendel's mother where he fought her. His sword was useless for it did not pierce her thick skin. He was not deterred however, and he engaged in hand to hand combat once again. After they had been fighting for many hours, Beowulf stumbled upon a sword fit for a giant and finally killed Grendel's mother. When he saw Grendel's lifeless body, he decapitated the corpse and brought the head as a gift to king Hrothgar. This shows the courage of Beowulf through the fact that Beowulf was out of his element and had a high risk of death and still decided to fight Grendel's mother.

Beowulf fights the dragon

Dragon

Beowulf left Denmark shortly after the fight with Grendel's mother. When he returned home to the land of the Geats(Southern Sweden) he gave much of the treasure that he was gifted by King Hrothgar to his King Hygelac who put him in the line of succession for it. Eventually, "Beowulf came as king this broad realm to wield, and he ruled it well fifty winters, a wise old prince, until One began in the dark of night, a Dragon," (2216-2220) burning his kingdom down. Even though Beowulf was old and not as strong as he once was, he still set out with his thanes and fought the beast. His thanes all deserted him except for one, Wiglaf, who stood by his kings side till the great beast was dead. Beowulf was mortally wounded in the encounter and died shortly after, his soul going "to seek the saints' reward." His people burned him on a pyre and placed his ashes in a great barrow overlooking the sea. This final act of courage where Beowulf, despite knowing it would probably be his last fight, nobly set out to save his people from the Dragon.

Time Period

Time period

The Epic of Beowulf was written between 800 and 1000, but the actual story took place in the time when vikings were raiding each other instead of England and the Frankish Empire (200 C.E. - 650 C.E.).

Civilization Info

The story of Beowulf largely takes place in the kingdom of Denmark and Southern Sweden. This Region was largely inhabited by the Norse people who are now commonly referred to as Vikings. These people lived in turf or wood houses and made some of the best steel in the world at the time. They didn't live off raiding and pillaging, in fact most of them had jobs like farmers, ranchers, craftsmen, or other normal civilized jobs.

Cultural Significance

Culture significance

Beowulf gives us a closer look at what the Norse culture found meaningful. Glory in life and in death, honor in battle, and loyalty to ones lord and kingdom. Beowulf is a perfect example of what every Norse warrior strove to be, but few achieved that goal. Many would die in the senseless infighting that plagued the Scandinavian peninsula and would never have the chance to live up to the accomplishments of Beowulf.