Beowulf starts with a reputation the good Danish King Scyld (whoever funeral is explained regarding Prologue)
King Hrothgar, Scyld’s high-grandson, try well-loved by his people and you can profitable in war. The guy makes a luxurious hallway, called Heorot, to accommodate their vast armed forces, if in case the brand new hall is gone, the newest Danish fighters assemble lower than the rooftop to enjoy.
Grendel, a beast which life at the end of the regional mere, was provoked from the vocal and honoring out-of Hrothgar’s followers. The guy seems at hallway later one night and you can eliminates thirty of the warriors inside their bed. For another several years, the fear out-of Grendel’s frustration casts a trace along the lives of Danes. Hrothgar along with his advisors is also think of nothing to peaceful the newest monster’s anger.
Beowulf, prince of one’s Geats, hears from the Hrothgar’s troubles, accumulates fourteen of the bravest Geat fighters, and you may sets cruise out-of their house in the south Sweden. The brand new Geats is actually welcomed from the members of Hrothgar’s court, and you will Beowulf boasts with the queen regarding their prior successes as good warrior, such as for instance their achievements in fighting water beasts. Hrothgar welcomes the newest coming of the Geats, hoping you to Beowulf usually live up to his reputation. Into the meal that observe Beowulf’s arrival, Unferth, an excellent Danish thane, voices doubt about Beowulf’s earlier accomplishments, and you may Beowulf, inturn, accuses Unferth regarding killing their brothers. Before nights ends, Hrothgar pledges Beowulf higher treasures if the he meets with profits facing the latest monster.
Beowulf, correct to help you their term, wrestles the new beast barehanded. The guy tears off the monster’s arm at shoulder, however, Grendel escapes, merely to perish in the future afterward towards the bottom away from their serpent-plagued mere. The newest Danish fighters, that fled the latest hallway in worry, come back singing audio inside the praise of Beowulf’s achievements. Hrothgar rewards Beowulf with a beneficial store away from gifts. Immediately after an alternative feast, the fresh warriors out of both Geats and the Danes retire to have the evening.
Unknown on the warriors, however, Grendel’s mommy is actually plotting revenge (come across “Grendel’s Mother’s Attack”). She finds the hall when all warriors is actually sleeping and you can carries out-of Aeschere, Hrothgar’s head coach and her son’s claw. (Click here to see this new notorious claw!) Beowulf offers to diving to your base of the lake, find the monster and you can wreck their own. He and his awesome men proceed with the monster’s tracks on cliff disregarding new lake in which Grendel’s mom lifestyle. It look for Aeschere’s bloody direct standing on brand new cliff. When preparing having race, Beowulf requires Hrothgar to protect his fighters, and also to send his gifts so you can their brother, Queen Hygelac, if the guy doesn’t go back properly.
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Ahead of Beowulf goes into the sea, Unferth has the benefit of your his blade, Hrunting. Within the ensuing race Grendel’s mom sells Beowulf so you can their under water family. Just after a bad endeavor, Beowulf eliminates the new beast with a magical sword, probably place there of the Al-Weilder, which he finds towards wall structure out of their own house. The guy along with discovers Grendel’s dead muscles, cuts off the lead, and you may returns to house, where the Geat and you can Danish fighters try prepared expectantly. Beowulf has abolished the latest battle away from worst giants.
The fresh fighters go back to Hrothgar’s court, where the Danes and you may Geats prepare a banquet within the event out of the fresh new death of the new creatures. Beowulf offers goodbye so you’re able to Hrothgar and you will says to the existing queen you to if your Danes again need assistance he’s going to joyfully started on the recommendations. Hrothgar presents Beowulf with additional secrets, as well as accept, emotionally, eg dad and you will child.
Grendel looks for the nights the new Geats’ coming at Heorot
The fresh Geats sail household. Once recounting the storyline out-of his fights which have Grendel and you will Grendel’s mother, Beowulf informs Queen Hygelac regarding conflict ranging from Denmark in addition to their opponents, new Heatho-bards. The guy means the newest advised tranquility payment, in which Hrothgar deliver their daughter Freawaru so you’re able to Ingeld, queen of your Heatho-bards, however, predicts that comfort doesn’t history a lot of time. Hygelac benefits Beowulf for his bravery that have homes, swords, and you may domiciles.
New meeting between Hygelac and you proposal writing service will Beowulf marks the end of brand new first part of the poem. Next part, Hygelac are lifeless, and you can Beowulf might have been queen of the Geats to have 50 many years. A crook steals a good jeweled mug regarding a lying dragon just who avenges his losses of the traveling at night burning down houses, including Beowulf’s own hallway and you will throne. Beowulf goes toward the brand new cave where dragon life, vowing so you’re able to destroy they single-handedly. He or she is an old man now, and he is not as solid when he is as he battled Grendel. When you look at the battle Beowulf getaways their sword from the dragon’s top; the fresh dragon, mad, engulfs Beowulf into the flames and you may injuries your throughout the shoulder. Each one of Beowulf’s followers flee but Wiglaf, just who rushes from flame to assist the maturing warrior. Wiglaf stabs the new dragon together with blade, and Beowulf, in the a final operate off courage, incisions the fresh new dragon in half along with his blade.
Yet the damage is completed. Beowulf knows that he is perishing, which he enjoys fought his last race. He requires Wiglaf to bring your brand new dragon’s storehouse away from secrets; enjoying the jewels and silver could make your feel that the newest efforts could have been useful. The guy instructs Wiglaf to construct good tomb as also known as “Beowulf’s tower” on edge of the ocean. After Beowulf dies, Wiglaf admonishes new soldiers just who discontinued their leader as he is assaulting against the dragon. He says to them they’ve come false with the requirements away from bravery, courage, and respect one to Beowulf enjoys coached.
Wiglaf sends a beneficial messenger so you can a nearby camp regarding Geat soldiers with instructions so you can declaration the outcomes of your battle. Wiglaf supervises this building of one’s funeral pyre. Consistent with Beowulf’s advice, the new dragon’s treasure is buried alongside Beowulf’s ashes on the tomb. The fresh new poem concludes as it began — into funeral service away from a warrior.
