Beowulf Summary
Beowulf is an Old English poem about a Geatish hero who comes to Denmark to kill a monster.
- Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar, king of the Danes, to fight the monster Grendel. Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm, killing him.
- Grendel’s mother seeks revenge on Beowulf. She attacks the Danes and flees to her cave, where Beowulf confronts and kills her.
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Years later, Beowulf is king of Geatland. When a dragon awakens, Beowulf goes to face the creature. Beowulf defeats the dragon but is wounded and soon dies.
Summary
Beowulf Overview
Beowulf is an epic poem written in Old English between the seventh and tenth centuries by an unknown author. It tells the story of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero, and his battles against three formidable foes: Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon. Set in the sixth century, the poem provides a glimpse into the lives of Danish, Swedish, and Germanic peoples. Beowulf’s heroic deeds, strength, and leadership make him a revered figure among his people, though his ultimate battle costs him his life. Themes of fate, honor, and the responsibilities of leadership permeate the tale.
Beowulf Plot Summary
Grendel’s Attack
Hrothgar, king of the Danes, builds Heorot Hall as a grand gathering place for feasts and celebrations. However, the joyous atmosphere is destroyed by Grendel, a monstrous creature who terrorizes the hall nightly, killing thirty men at a time. The Danes live in fear, unable to stop the attacks.
Beowulf Arrives
Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland and nephew to King Hygelac, hears of Hrothgar’s plight and sails to Denmark with his men to help. Known for his unmatched strength, Beowulf vows to defeat Grendel in hand-to-hand combat. That night, Grendel attacks Heorot. Beowulf confronts him, tearing off his arm, and the wounded Grendel retreats to his marshy lair, where he dies. The Danes celebrate Beowulf’s victory, but their relief is short-lived.
The Battle with Grendel’s Mother
Grendel’s mother, seeking revenge, attacks Heorot, killing Hrothgar’s trusted adviser and reclaiming her son’s severed arm. Hrothgar begs Beowulf to confront her, offering great rewards. Beowulf agrees and journeys to her underwater lair, equipped with Hrunting, a sword given to him by the previously skeptical Unferth.
During the battle, Hrunting proves ineffective, but Beowulf discovers a giant’s sword in the lair. With this weapon, he kills Grendel’s mother and beheads Grendel’s corpse. Beowulf returns to Heorot with Grendel’s head, earning further praise and rewards from Hrothgar, who warns him about the dangers of pride and greed.
Beowulf’s Return and Rise to Kingship
Beowulf returns to Geatland, where he is warmly welcomed by King Hygelac and Queen Hygd. For his heroic deeds, Hygelac grants Beowulf land and a throne. After Hygelac’s death in battle, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats, ruling wisely and ensuring fifty years of peace for his people.
The Dragon Awakens
Peace ends when a dragon guarding a treasure hoard is disturbed by a thief who steals a goblet. Enraged, the dragon begins attacking Geatland, burning villages and Beowulf’s throne room. Despite sensing his own doom, Beowulf resolves to fight the dragon and protect his people.
Beowulf’s Final Battle
Beowulf leads a small group of warriors to the dragon’s lair, but all except Wiglaf abandon him in fear. Beowulf and Wiglaf face the dragon together. Wiglaf wounds the dragon, allowing Beowulf to deliver the final blow, but not before suffering a fatal bite. As he dies, Beowulf reflects on his life and asks Wiglaf to bring him some of the dragon’s treasure as a final comfort.
Beowulf’s Death and Legacy
Beowulf succumbs to the dragon’s venom, instructing Wiglaf to build a barrow in his memory. Wiglaf rebukes the other warriors for their cowardice and oversees the retrieval of the dragon’s treasure. Beowulf’s funeral is marked by deep mourning. His people lament the loss of their great king, fearing future invasions and hardships without his protection. The treasure is buried with Beowulf, symbolizing the ultimate cost of heroism and leadership.
Expert Q&A
What is the central idea of the epic poem Beowulf?
The central idea of "Beowulf" revolves around the heroic code, which emphasizes virtues such as bravery, loyalty, and generosity. The poem explores selfless heroism through Beowulf's battles with Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a dragon, demonstrating the costs and sacrifices of heroism. Themes of identity and leadership are also present, illustrating how lineage defines one's place in society and contrasting youthful valor with seasoned leadership through characters like Beowulf and King Hrothgar.
Did the monks alter Beowulf to align with Christian views?
Monks, who acted as scribes during the time Beowulf was recorded, likely altered the text to align with Christian views. As religious figures, they modified or omitted content they deemed inappropriate or unworthy, such as vulgar jokes or common elements, to suit their values. Thus, the surviving written literature may have been significantly changed from its original oral form to reflect Christian perspectives.
Is Beowulf a true story?
Beowulf combines both true and fictional elements. Many of the figure and events referenced are based on historical fact, but the central narrative is fiction.
How were poems composed and transmitted in Anglo-Saxon Britain?
In Anglo-Saxon Britain, poems were composed and transmitted orally through a process known as oral-formulaic composition. Poets, or "singers of tales," learned narratives by listening to others and utilized traditional elements like standard scenes and formulaic phrases to create poems during performances. This method ensured that no two performances were identical, as poets adjusted their storytelling in response to the audience and context, similar to variations in musical performances.
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