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Beowulf hears of the destruction caused by Grendel across the sea and takes his mightiest men to fight.
"Beowulf
Chose the mightiest men he could find,
The bravest and best of the Geats, fourteen
In all, and led them down to their boat;
He knew the sea, would point the prow
Straight to that distant Danish shore. . . ."
Lines 119-124
Beowulf and his men crossed the sea from their home to meet with Hrothgar. When they met they spoke about hunting Grendel for years. The king throws a feast in his honor as he and his men prepare for battle against the beast.
"Beowulf arose, with his men
Around him, ordering a few to remain
With their weapons, leading the others quickly
Along under Herot’s steep roof into Hrothgar’s
Presence. Standing on that prince’s own hearth,
Helmeted, the silvery metal of his mail shirt
Gleaming with a smith’s high art, he greeted
The Danes’ great lord:
“Hail, Hrothgar!" Lines 134-142
Beowulf was about to face his greatest challenge yet. He goes into battle to defeat Grendel because he wants his reputation to be maintained as the hero.
"In the darkness, the horrible shrieks of pain
And defeat, the tears torn out of Grendel’s
Taut throat, hell’s captive caught in the arms
Of him who of all the men on earth
Was the strongest." Lines 309-314
Beowulf defeats Grendel which understandable upsets Grendel's mother. While seeking revenge she went to where the Danes lived and killed one of Hrothgar's men in attempt at seeking revenge for her sons death. Beowulf realizes he has a new challenge of killing Grendel's mother for which he was offered a reward by the king.
"As dark as the air, as black as the rain
That the heavens weep. Our only help,
Again, lies with you. Grendel’s mother
Is hidden in her terrible home, in a place
You’ve not seen. Seek it, if you dare! Save us,
Once more, and again twisted gold,
Heaped-up ancient treasure, will reward you
For the battle you win!” Lines 443-450
Grendel's mother was more of a challenge then Grendel himself because she proved to be more ferocious then her son. Beowulf fought as hard as he could, but he finally ended the battle by stabbing her, dropping his blood stained sword to the ground.
"Squatting with her weight on his stomach, she drew
A dagger, brown with dried blood, and prepared
To avenge her only son. But he was stretched
On his back, and her stabbing blade was blunted
By the woven mail shirt he wore on his chest."
Lines 502-506
By the end of the epic Beowulf had defeated both Grendel and his mother. He worked more then he had ever before and it ended his life. This story ended with him returning to the king and claiming his reward.
"At the hall, bold and warlike, and with Beowulf,
Their lord and leader, they walked on the mead-hall
Green. Then the Geats’ brave prince entered
Herot, covered with glory for the daring
Battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar
To salute him and show Grendel’s head.
He carried that terrible trophy by the hair,
Brought it straight to where the Danes sat,
Drinking, the queen among them. It was a weird
And wonderful sight, and the warriors stared. . . ."
Lines 596-605