Beowulf
..."Land of the Geats," southern Sweden and Denmark; c. sixth century
Principal Characters
Beowulf, a Geat hero
Hrothgar, King of the Danes
Unferth, a Danish warrior
Wiglaf, Beowulf's nephew and loyal court noble
Story Overview
Long ago in Hrothgar's Danish kingdom lived a gruesome monster-giant named
Grendel, who nightly roamed the countryside. Rising from his marshy home, he would
stalk to the King's high hall, and there devour fifteen of Hrothgar's sleeping warriors.
Then, before departing, the monster would seize fifteen more men with his huge arms
and bear them back to his watery lair. For twelve years the slaughter continued.
Word of this terror spread across the sea to the land of the Geats, ruled by Hygelac.
Beowulf, Hygelac's principal advisor and warrior and a man of great strength and
courage, heard the tale of Grendel's murderous attacks. Straightway, he set sail to
free the Danes from the demon's depredations.
In Denmark, a coast-watcher met the weary company of fifteen seafarers. Learning of
Beowulf's intended mission, he permitted the Danes to pass.
They started out then - the spacious ship
remained behind, riding on its rope,
... Figures of boars, bright
and fire-hardened, gleamed gold-adorned
above the cheek-guards; in war the boar
helped guard those fierce men's lives ...
To Hrothgar's high hall they marched. There the King spread a banquet feast in
Beowulf's honor; the mead cup was...
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