Beowulf Summary

Introducing old Denmark . You find, Queen Hrothgar , the fresh new queen of your own Danes , is actually stressed because of the rampages away from a demon named Grendel. A night, Grendel episodes King Hrothgar ‘s the reason wealthy mead-hall , Heorot , killing Danish warriors or dinner them.

Hrothgar was an excellent warrior inside the day, nevertheless now he could be a vintage queen and can’t appear to manage their someone. Thankfully, an earlier warrior entitled Beowulf turns up. Beowulf , a warrior out-of an alternative Germanic tribe called the Geats , has journeyed so you’re able to Heorot Hallway away from his or her own places overseas inside the Geatland (modern-date Sweden ). He could be observed the newest monster Grendel , and you will he could be here to help you give a helping hand-actually.

Beowulf demonstrates to you that he owes Hrothgar a benefit due to the fact Hrothgar aided away Beowulf’s dad Ecgtheow . Beowulf up coming proposes to challenge Grendel himself. Queen Hrothgar gratefully welcomes his render. Then, the Danes place another type of big meal, and you can Beowulf trading catchy comebacks that have a great slimy nothing man named Unferth that jealous out of your.

Next time Grendel attacks Heorot Hallway, Beowulf is actually awaiting him. Deciding to fight Grendel together with exposed hands with no armour, Beowulf wrestles the latest devil on the submission and in the end rips out-of Grendel’s sleeve within neck. Mortally wounded, Grendel flees on the wasteland and becomes deceased. Beowulf provides Grendel’s case as an excellent trophy, because the remaining an excellent monster’s case is simply the kind of issue you are doing when you’re an effective mythical 6th century warrior.

Beowulf , Hrothgar , in addition to their followers throw an untamed class regarding great hall to commemorate. Hrothgar and his wife Wealhtheow plus promote Beowulf many gifts and you can secrets so you can prize him getting his courageous beat of one’s devil.

Regrettably, Grendel’s mommy is pretty crazy concerning whole material-hello, beasts provides mom, too! She decides to avenge Grendel’s dying, and we’ll leave you one to suppose precisely how she chooses to do so. If you’re all the warriors was sleeping from the cluster, she attacks Heorot Hallway , destroying the newest Danish queen ‘s smart counselor, Aeschere . But when the warriors wake up, she panics and flees back once again to their unique lair, a cavern the underside the regional lake.

Beowulf , their Geatish warriors, and lots of of Hrothgar is the reason Danish fighters tune their unique here. Beowulf dives towards the lake and you can finds this new cavern, in which he plays Grendel’s mother an additional that-on-that battle. Overtaking your local blade out of Grendel’s mommy ‘s the reason stash out of value, he slays their own, in the event write my apa paper for me her dangerous devil bloodstream melts brand new knife. When Beowulf productivity to the epidermis, holding the blade hilt and Grendel’s severed head, the latest Danish fighters possess given him upwards having lifeless, but his personal Geatish followers remain prepared patiently. Whenever everyone observes that Beowulf features survived so it 2nd problem, there can be a lot more hanging out and present-offering.

Fundamentally, the brand new Geats just take its log off of the Danes . Beowulf states good-bye in order to King Hrothgar and you will sails back into Geatland , where he could be an effective lord on the legal off Queen Hygelac . Ultimately, Hygelac and all their family relations are slain in different blood-feuds, and you will Beowulf gets the fresh Queen of the Geats . Beowulf reigns while the a beneficial queen to possess fifty many years, securing the fresh new Geats of all the tribes as much as them, particularly the Swedes. He’s an honorable and you may brave warrior-queen, rewarding his dedicated thanes (warrior lords) and you will looking after his anyone.

From the Unfamiliar

But one day, Beowulf eventually suits their fits. A great dragon, woken because of the a thief stealing a cup from the benefits hoard , initiate attacking new Geats , consuming villages and you may slaughtering people. Beowulf takes a small grouping of 11 reliable fighters, as well as the burglar you never know in which the dragon’s lair was, to the barrow to possess a last showdown towards monster. After they comprehend the dragon, all but one of your own warriors flee in terror. Just one people, Wiglaf , stays at the Beowulf ‘s the reason front.

That have Wiglaf ‘s assist and you can reassurance, Beowulf could probably overcome the fresh dragon, however, he could be mortally wounded in the act. Wiglaf lies that have Beowulf when he passes away and you will shows him certain of the super value that they got on dragon’s hoard . Whenever Beowulf ultimately expires, Wiglaf and some other Geats proper care that since their king are deceased, they’ll certainly be vulnerable to intruders off their people.

Once Beowulf’s death , brand new Geats build a giant funeral pyre getting him, heaped which have treasures. As pyre provides burned off, it purchase 10 weeks building a massive barrow (a large mound of earth full of treasure) while the a monument on the missing king.