Beowulf

is an Old English epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It is one of the most important
and most often translated works of Old English literature. The date of composition is a matter of
contention among scholars; the only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced
between 975 and 1025.[3] Scholars call the anonymous author the "Beowulf poet".[4] The story is
set in pagan Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid
of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the
monster Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then
defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland (Götaland in modern Sweden) and
becomes king of the Geats. Fifty years later, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is mortally wounded
in the battle. After his death, his attendants cremate his body and erect a tower on a headland in
his memory.

Beowulf is the first surviving epic written in the English language. The single existing copy of
the manuscript dates from the late tenth century, although some scholars believe it dates from the
first part of the eleventh century. It is found in a large volume that features stories involving
mythical creatures and people. Two different scribes copied the poem, most likely using an
existing copy. Between 1066 and the Reformation, the whole volume remained in a monastic
library until Sir Robert Cotton gained possession of it for his own extensive library. A fire
consumed much of his library, and the volume containing Beowulf became badly charred. Today
the manuscript still exists, though it is falling apart rapidly due to the charring in the fire.

We do not have any definite knowledge about the poet--indeed, we do not even know the date of
the poem's composition. Through the study of Old English verse, most scholars believe that the
poem was composed much earlier than the Cotton manuscript, between 650 and 800. Some
words in Beowulf do not adhere to the scansion of Old English verse; however, using the older
forms of the words, dating from the period given, causes the lines to scan correctly. Yet
accurately dating the poem is a difficult enterprise since the poem has such a derivative quality. It
is evident that the Beowulf poet wished to place his work within an even more ancient tradition.
Beowulf directly uses many ancient stories that have been preserved in later texts, such as the
legend of Sigemund and the account of the war at Finnesburh. In addition, the poem is written
with the traditional epic diction, with whole phrases taken from the other bards who sang the
legends incorporated.

Despite his borrowing from other sources, perhaps in large quantities, the Beowulf poet
nonetheless manages to add his own specialized view of his characters' world. First and
foremost, Beowulf's author is a Christian, and he makes the Christian world extremely visible.
He alludes to Cain and the Flood; he shows the Christian God's influence upon the pagan world
of the Danes. Yet he is obviously aware of his culture's pagan past and attempts to describe it in
great detail through rituals, such as the elaborate Germanic sea-burials and the grand feasts in the
mead-halls, and the ever-present belief in fate. Thus Beowulf's poet tries to recreate the past of
his people for his people, almost with a nostalgic feeling for the bygone pagan days.
Personaje

Beowulf
The protagonist of the epic, Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s
mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf’s boasts and encounters reveal him to be the
strongest, ablest warrior around. In his youth, he personifies all of the best values of the heroic
culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler.

King Hrothgar

The king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes
his realm. A wise and aged ruler, Hrothgar represents a different kind of leadership from that
exhibited by the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a father figure to Beowulf and a model for the
kind of king that Beowulf becomes.

Grendel
A demon descended from Cain, Grendel preys on Hrothgar’s warriors in the king’s mead-hall,
Heorot. Because his ruthless and miserable existence is part of the retribution exacted by God for
Cain’s murder of Abel, Grendel fits solidly within the ethos of vengeance that governs the world
of the poem.

Grendel’s mother
An unnamed swamp-hag, Grendel’s mother seems to possess fewer human qualities than
Grendel, although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for vengeance—a human
motivation.

The dragon
An ancient, powerful serpent, the dragon guards a horde of treasure in a hidden mound.
Beowulf’s fight with the dragon constitutes the third and final part of the epic.

Shield Sheafson
The legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar is descended, Shield Sheafson is the mythical
founder who inaugurates a long line of Danish rulers and embodies the Danish tribe’s highest
values of heroism and leadership. The poem opens with a brief account of his rise from orphan to
warrior-king, concluding, “That was one good king” (11).

Beow
The second king listed in the genealogy of Danish rulers with which the poem begins. Beow is
the son of Shield Sheafson and father of Halfdane. The narrator presents Beow as a gift from
God to a people in need of a leader. He exemplifies the maxim, “Behavior that’s admired / is the
path to power among people everywhere” (24–25).
Halfdane
The father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter who married a king of the
Swedes, Halfdane succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.

Wealhtheow
Hrothgar’s wife, the gracious queen of the Danes.

Unferth
A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf, Unferth is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel,
thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf.

Hrethric
Hrothgar’s elder son, Hrethric stands to inherit the Danish throne, but Hrethric’s older cousin
Hrothulf will prevent him from doing so. Beowulf offers to support the youngster’s prospect of
becoming king by hosting him in Geatland and giving him guidance.

Hrothmund
The second son of Hrothgar.

Hrothulf
Hrothgar’s nephew, Hrothulf betrays and usurps his cousin, Hrethic, the rightful heir to the
Danish throne. Hrothulf’s treachery contrasts with Beowulf’s loyalty to Hygelac in helping his
son to the throne.

Aeschere
Hrothgar’s trusted adviser.

Hygelac
Beowulf’s uncle, king of the Geats, and husband of Hygd. Hygelac heartily welcomes Beowulf
back from Denmark.

Hygd
Hygelac’s wife, the young, beautiful, and intelligent queen of the Geats. Hygd is contrasted with
Queen Modthryth.

Wiglaf
A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all
of the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic code better than Beowulf’s other
retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf.
Ecgtheow
Beowulf’s father, Hygelac’s brother-in-law, and Hrothgar’s friend. Ecgtheow is dead by the time
the story begins, but he lives on through the noble reputation that he made for himself during his
life and in his dutiful son’s remembrances.

King Hrethel
The Geatish king who took Beowulf in as a ward after the death of Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father.

Breca
Beowulf’s childhood friend, whom he defeated in a swimming match. Unferth alludes to the
story of their contest, and Beowulf then relates it in detail.

Sigemund
A figure from Norse mythology, famous for slaying a dragon. Sigemund’s story is told in praise
of Beowulf and foreshadows Beowulf’s encounter with the dragon.

King Heremod
An evil king of legend. The scop, or bard, at Heorot discusses King Heremod as a figure who
contrasts greatly with Beowulf.

Queen Modthryth
A wicked queen of legend who punishes anyone who looks at her the wrong way. Modthryth’s
story is told in order to contrast her cruelty with Hygd’s gentle and reasonable behavior.