Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

reference of Work Heroic epic poem Setting"Land of the Geats," gray Sweden and Denmark c. sixth century Principal CharactersBeowulf, a Geat heroHrothgar, King of the DanesUnferth, a Danish warriorWiglaf, Beowulfs nephew and loyal court noble Story OverviewLong ago in Hrothgars Danish kingdom lived a gruesome monster-giant namedGrendel, who nightly roamed the countryside. boost from his marshy home, he wouldstalk to the Kings high hall, and there devour 15 of Hrothgars sleeping warriors.Then, before departing, the monster would seize fifteen more(prenominal) manpower with his huge armsand bear them back to his watery lair. For twelve days the slaughter continued. Word of this terror unfold across the sea to the knock down of the Geats, ruled by Hygelac.Beowulf, Hygelacs principal advisor and warrior and a man of gigantic strength andcourage, heard the tale of Grendels murderous attacks. Straightway, he set shroud tofree the Danes from the demons depredations. In D enmark, a coast-watcher met the weary company of fifteen seafarers. acquirement ofBeowulfs intended mission, he permitted the Danes to pass. They started out then - the spacious ship remained behind, go on its rope, ... Figures of boars, b decline and fire-hardened, gleamed gold-adorned above the cheek- have gots in war the boarhelped guard those fierce mens lives ... To Hrothgars high hall they marched. There the King spread a banquet feast inBeowulfs honor the mead cup was passed around, and the self-praise began. But theDanish warrior Unferth, "drunken with wine," taunted the Geat, reminding him of afive-day swimming contest in which Beowulf was said to have been bested. The Geatanswered boldly, however, that he had not only emerged victorious in the race, buthad been forced to kill nine deadly sea-monsters during the course. After the feast, Hrothgar and his warriors went to their rest, loss Beowulf and hismen in the hall. Then came the fiendish Grendel, "with an unlovely light, like a hellishflame in his eyes." The ironbound door burst open at the touch of his fingers, and herejoiced at the rich feast of human body-build awaiting him. He seized one sleeping warrior,tore him up furiously, bit through with(predicate) muscles and sinews, and drank the blood in streams.Then he quickly consumed the entire dust "as a wolf might eat a rabbit." Hereached toward another victim, but the beast was destined to dine no more that night.Without shield or spear, Beowulf took hold of the dreaded monster, wrenching off hisright arm and the maimed Grendel fled back to his home.