Beowulf Story Summary
Beowulf is, at it's core, a story about good versus evil. In the beginning, the mead-hall Herot is described. It is the greatest mead-hall in all the world. a veritable paradise. Herot belongs to the Danes, who are ruled by Hrothgar, a mighty and just king. Tragedy strikes when a monster, Grendel, attacks Herot in the dead of night, slaying many of Hrothgar's men, and gorging and himself on their corpses. The Danes are forced to abandon the hall every night, for Grendel returns each night to feast on those who dare return. Word soons spread of the Danes abandonment of Herot. When Beowulf hears of the Danes plight, he sails with the bravest and best of the Geats, his people. Upon arrival, he is greeted by Wulfgar, one of Hrothgar's men, who tells them to leave their weapons outside the hall and that Hrothgar wishes to speak with him. Beowulf claims that he can defeat Grendel when no other man could, and that he would do so with no weapon other than his fists. Hrothgar is happy to let Beowulf have his try at Grendel, as nothing else so far has worked, including attempting to bribe the monster with gold and land. Beowulf decides to ambush the beast in Herot, and acts as though asleep when the monster comes. In order to catch the monster off guard, Beowulf allows the monster to feast on one of his men, but when Grendel tries to swipe at Beowulf with his great claws, Beowulf catches his arm in his fist, and they begin their struggle. The Geats attempt the help, but their weapons were bewitched by Grendel, dulling the blades and not allowing them to cut the monstrosity. After a long struggle, Beowulf tears off Grendel's arm and hangs it from the rafter, while Grendel runs back to his hellish home, under a boiling lake. Beowulf is celebrated for his victory, and has songs woven about him. Grendel dies in his lake home, but his mother avenges his death. She takes only one of Hrothgar's man the next night, but it is his best friend and a glorious soldier. Heartbroken, Hrothgar urges Beowulf to fight Grendel's Mother. Beowulf jumps into the boiling lake, and, for hours, swims down into it's depths. He is attacked by great sea monsters, but his chain mail protects him. Finally, Grendel's Mother takes notice of Beowulf and tries to attack him while he is swimming. She bites his helmet, but can not pierce it enough to hurt Beowulf. Finally, she brings him to her home to fight him properly. His sword can not hurt her, and his fists, even with their near supernatural strength, seem impotent. He notices a sword of gigantic proportions, that no man can lift due to it's weight. Beowulf, being stronger than any man, lifts the sword and cuts off Grendel's mother's head. Beowulf returns to the surface of the lake, where his men were waiting, refusing to leave until Beowulf returned. Beowulf produced the head, and was once again, given a hero's welcome.
50 years later, and Beowulf is ruling the Geats. By this time, he is an old man, but a new danger is threatening his people. A thief stole from a huge dragon, and the dragon is now rampaging around Beowulf's kingdom, causing untold amounts of destruction. Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, with his men, sword, and shield. When the dragon comes out to face Beowulf, Beowulf's men run away in fear. Only Wiglaf, Beowulf's cousin, goes to help Beowulf. The dragon mortally wounds Beowulf with it's fire, but Wiglaf was able to kill the great beast. Beowulf bestows upon Wiglaf all of his power, and dies.
50 years later, and Beowulf is ruling the Geats. By this time, he is an old man, but a new danger is threatening his people. A thief stole from a huge dragon, and the dragon is now rampaging around Beowulf's kingdom, causing untold amounts of destruction. Beowulf goes to fight the dragon, with his men, sword, and shield. When the dragon comes out to face Beowulf, Beowulf's men run away in fear. Only Wiglaf, Beowulf's cousin, goes to help Beowulf. The dragon mortally wounds Beowulf with it's fire, but Wiglaf was able to kill the great beast. Beowulf bestows upon Wiglaf all of his power, and dies.