Beowulf Background

Part 2: Beowulf's Character
Part 3: Evil and Goodness in Beowulf
Part4: Synthesizing Beowulf

Over the next few days, I'll be posting analaysis and thoughts about Beowulf. For now, here is the truncated and abridged version of the story.

Beowulf is the earliest known old English poem, one that captures the vital spirit of the times. The author makes use of meter and alliteration in his poetry, rather than the rhyme, favored by many later English poets.

The work is divided into three books: in the first, the reader is introduced to good King Hrothgar, a God-fearing man who rules the Danish people. There is trouble in King Hrothgar’s land. A monster called Grendel is terrorizing the country and eating anyone who tries to oppose him. Then the warrior Beowulf hears about Grendel and travels with a band of men to Hrothgar’s land to kill the monster. The king accepts Beowulf’s offer, so when Grendel comes to the king’s mead hall looking for dinner Beowulf attacks and fatally wounds the monster, though he escapes to die alone.

<>In the second book, King Hrothgar rewards Beowulf and his men, but the night after Grendel’s defeat, Grendel’s mother comes for revenge. Beowulf pursues her to her home and kills her as well. Then, loaded with treasure, he sails home and tells his adventures to his own king. Impressed, Beowulf’s lord grants him a kingdom of his own, which he rules for many years.

<>The final part of Beowulf’s story occurs fifty years after the deaths of Grendel and his mother. One of Beowulf’s subjects accidentally angers a dragon by stealing part of his hoard. The dragon becomes the scourge of Beowulf’s kingdom, so though he is old, Beowulf decides to try and kill it. With the help of a brave young knight, Beowulf succeeds, but the battle costs him his life. The story concludes as Beowulf’s people mourn the loss of their great king.