Beowulf begins with a track record of the nice Danish Queen Scyld (whose funeral are discussed on Prologue)

King Hrothgar, Scyld’s higher-grandson, try well-loved by the his anybody and you will winning inside combat. The guy builds a deluxe hallway, entitled Heorot, to accommodate their huge army, just in case the fresh hallway is fully gone, the new Danish fighters collect under its rooftop so you can commemorate.

Grendel, a beast who lifetime towards the bottom off the local simple, is actually provoked of the vocal and you will honoring away from Hrothgar’s supporters. The guy looks during the hall late one-night and you can eliminates thirty of one’s warriors within their sleep. For the next twelve many years, the fear regarding Grendel’s frustration casts a trace along side lifestyle of your own Danes. Hrothgar and his awesome advisors can be contemplate literary analysis essay writer nothing to peaceful the brand new monster’s anger.

Beowulf, prince of your own Geats, hears regarding the Hrothgar’s trouble, accumulates fourteen of bravest Geat fighters, and you may kits sail out of their domestic in southern area Sweden. The newest Geats is met by members of Hrothgar’s courtroom, and you can Beowulf has towards queen off his early in the day successes just like the a beneficial warrior, eg his achievements in fighting ocean monsters. Hrothgar embraces the new arrival of the Geats, in hopes one Beowulf tend to surpass his character. In meal one to uses Beowulf’s coming, Unferth, a great Danish thane, voices question regarding Beowulf’s earlier in the day accomplishments, and you may Beowulf, inturn, accuses Unferth regarding destroying their brothers. Before the nights ends, Hrothgar promises Beowulf great treasures if the guy match with victory facing the newest beast.

Beowulf, real in order to their keyword, wrestles the latest beast barehanded. He tears off the monster’s case from the neck, but Grendel escapes, simply to die soon afterwards at the end off his snake-infested simple. The new Danish fighters, who’ve fled the fresh new hall in the anxiety, come back vocal music for the praise of Beowulf’s success. Hrothgar perks Beowulf having an excellent shop of secrets. Shortly after yet another banquet, the fresh new fighters regarding both Geats in addition to Danes retire getting the evening.

Unknown on the fighters, not, Grendel’s mom is plotting payback (select “Grendel’s Mom’s Assault”). She finds the hallway whenever most of the warriors was sleeping and you will offers out of Aeschere, Hrothgar’s head mentor and her son’s claw. (Just click here observe the new infamous claw!) Beowulf offers to plunge towards base of your own lake, discover the monster and you may damage their. He and his men proceed with the monster’s music towards cliff overlooking new lake in which Grendel’s mother lives. It pick Aeschere’s bloody direct looking at the latest cliff. While preparing to own race, Beowulf asks Hrothgar to protect their fighters, and upload his gifts to his uncle, Queen Hygelac, if the he cannot come back securely.

Just click here observe the fight!

Before Beowulf gets into the ocean, Unferth has the benefit of your his sword, Hrunting. For the ensuing competition Grendel’s mommy sells Beowulf so you can their unique underwater domestic. Shortly after a terrible fight, Beowulf eliminates this new beast that have an awesome blade, most likely put here because of the Al-Weilder, that he discovers on the wall surface out of their unique home. He including discovers Grendel’s deceased looks, slices off the direct, and you will production so you’re able to property, where in fact the Geat and Danish fighters are prepared expectantly. Beowulf has now abolished new race away from worst monsters.

The fighters come back to Hrothgar’s courtroom, the spot where the Danes and you will Geats prepare a banquet in the occasion off this new death of this new giants. Beowulf offers farewell so you’re able to Hrothgar and you will tells the old king you to definitely in the event your Danes ever again need help he will gladly already been on the advice. Hrothgar gifts Beowulf with secrets, and embrace, mentally, including dad and you will child.

Grendel looks towards the nights the newest Geats’ arrival at Heorot

The new Geats cruise family. Shortly after recounting the story out-of his matches having Grendel and you will Grendel’s mom, Beowulf says to Queen Hygelac regarding feud anywhere between Denmark in addition to their foes, the latest Heatho-bards. The guy means the newest advised peace payment, in which Hrothgar will give his daughter Freawaru so you’re able to Ingeld, queen of one’s Heatho-bards, however, forecasts the peace does not last much time. Hygelac perks Beowulf having their bravery having house, swords, and you may houses.

The latest appointment anywhere between Hygelac and you will Beowulf scratches the conclusion the latest first a portion of the poem. Within the next region, Hygelac is deceased, and Beowulf has been king of your Geats having fifty ages. A crook steals a good jeweled glass out of a lying dragon whom avenges their loss by traveling overnight burning off households, and additionally Beowulf’s individual hall and you can throne. Beowulf visits this new cave the spot where the dragon lifestyle, vowing so you’re able to damage it unmarried-handedly. They are a vintage guy now, and then he isn’t as good when he try when he fought Grendel. From inside the race Beowulf breaks his sword up against the dragon’s side; brand new dragon, upset, engulfs Beowulf during the fire and wounds your regarding the neck. Every one of Beowulf’s followers flee except Wiglaf, exactly who rushes through the flames to help the aging warrior. Wiglaf stabs the dragon together with his blade, and you will Beowulf, inside the a final act away from courage, cuts the fresh dragon in half with his blade.

Yet the wreck is carried out. Beowulf realizes that he is passing away, which he has actually battled his history battle. He asks Wiglaf to bring him the dragon’s storehouse out-of treasures; seeing the fresh new treasures and you can silver makes your feel that new effort could have been sensible. He will teach Wiglaf to build an excellent tomb getting known as “Beowulf’s tower” toward side of the sea. Immediately after Beowulf becomes deceased, Wiglaf admonishes the fresh soldiers just who deserted their frontrunner when he try fighting contrary to the dragon. He informs all of them they’ve come false to the requirements regarding courage, courage, and loyalty one Beowulf has trained.

Wiglaf delivers good messenger so you can a nearby go camping away from Geat troops which have advice to statement the results of your competition. Wiglaf supervises the structure of your own funeral service pyre. Consistent with Beowulf’s rules, the fresh dragon’s benefits try hidden near to Beowulf’s ashes regarding the tomb. The fresh poem finishes as it began — on the funeral service away from a good warrior.