Beowulf, Anon
Poem analysis
1. Summary of the Plot
Once upon a time, there was a mighty king who went by the name of Beowulf. Beowulf’s son, Healf-
dene, also had children, one of which is Hrothgar who, after he won a great important war, became king.
Hrothgar decided to use his new power and wealth to build a big mead hall, Heorot, to party in with his fel-
low Danes. Near the newly constructed mead hall lay a swamp, inhabited by a monster. This monster
named Grendel was disturbed by the festivities and decides the easiest way, to stop the constant partying
and its noise is to kill everyone present at the parties. That night Grendel went to the hall, slaughters thirty
Danes, and returns to his lair. When the festivities proceeded, Grendel is annoyed and, from that night on,
Grendel stops by the hal every single night to seek revenge.
Eventually, Hrothgar has enough of Grendel terrorizing the hall and seeks help from fourteen might
warriors led by Beowulf, the Geats. On arrival, Beowulf announces he will combat Grendel with God’s grace
and his bare hands for the sake of a fair fight, as Grendel too doesn't utilize weapons. They thank God for
answering their prayers and feast. However, one person named Unferth is skeptical of Beowulf’s strength
since Beowulf had lost a swimming contest to his friend Breca. Beowulf defends himself explaining he did
lose but only because he had to fight off nine sea monsters. The sunsets while Beowulf and the warriors
prepare for battle and indeed Grendel appears at the mead hall. Beowulf and Grendel fight and eventually
Beowulf wins by ripping Grendel’s arm off his body and Grendel flees back to his lair. Beowulf hangs Gren-
del’s arm from the rafters and Hrothgar rewards him with gifts and treasure. Unferth apologizes to Beowulf
for his remarks by giving him a relic sword (Hrunting).
All is good and the party continues. But not long after the party is disturbed by Grendel’s mother
who bursts in. Grendel’s mother takes her son's arm, kills Hrothgar’s advisor, Aeschere, and flees. Hrothgar
sends Beowulf to track her down and seek revanche. They end up finding Aeschere’s head at the lake of
monsters where they also encounter various sea monsters. Beowulf prepares for battle by putting on his ar-
mor and jumps into the water to find Grendel’s mother who inhabits the bottom of the lake. It takes Be-
owulf a full day to reach the bottom and once he reaches it he is ambushed by Grendel’s mother and
dragged into her cave. Beowulf and Grendel’s mother fight but when Beowulf can't seem to do any damage
with his sword he tosses it and begins wrestling her, which doesn’t do much either. Grendel’s mother is
unimpressed and attempts to stab Beowulf. Although this appears to be the end of Beowulf, he magically
finds a supernatural, forged by a giants sword, and uses it to kill Grendel’s mother. After his victory, Be-
owulf decapitates Grendel’s mother’s corpse and takes her head as a present for Hrothgar. Sadly the sword
could only be used once and dissolves. When Beowulf arrives he hands over the head and the sword’s holt
to Hrothgar and is once again rewarded with gifts. They celebrated and proceeded to party until it was time
for Beowulf and his men to sail back. At Beowulf’s return, he offers the treasures to his King Hygelac and he
receives a sword, land, and a house as a thank you.
Poem analysis
1. Summary of the Plot
Once upon a time, there was a mighty king who went by the name of Beowulf. Beowulf’s son, Healf-
dene, also had children, one of which is Hrothgar who, after he won a great important war, became king.
Hrothgar decided to use his new power and wealth to build a big mead hall, Heorot, to party in with his fel-
low Danes. Near the newly constructed mead hall lay a swamp, inhabited by a monster. This monster
named Grendel was disturbed by the festivities and decides the easiest way, to stop the constant partying
and its noise is to kill everyone present at the parties. That night Grendel went to the hall, slaughters thirty
Danes, and returns to his lair. When the festivities proceeded, Grendel is annoyed and, from that night on,
Grendel stops by the hal every single night to seek revenge.
Eventually, Hrothgar has enough of Grendel terrorizing the hall and seeks help from fourteen might
warriors led by Beowulf, the Geats. On arrival, Beowulf announces he will combat Grendel with God’s grace
and his bare hands for the sake of a fair fight, as Grendel too doesn't utilize weapons. They thank God for
answering their prayers and feast. However, one person named Unferth is skeptical of Beowulf’s strength
since Beowulf had lost a swimming contest to his friend Breca. Beowulf defends himself explaining he did
lose but only because he had to fight off nine sea monsters. The sunsets while Beowulf and the warriors
prepare for battle and indeed Grendel appears at the mead hall. Beowulf and Grendel fight and eventually
Beowulf wins by ripping Grendel’s arm off his body and Grendel flees back to his lair. Beowulf hangs Gren-
del’s arm from the rafters and Hrothgar rewards him with gifts and treasure. Unferth apologizes to Beowulf
for his remarks by giving him a relic sword (Hrunting).
All is good and the party continues. But not long after the party is disturbed by Grendel’s mother
who bursts in. Grendel’s mother takes her son's arm, kills Hrothgar’s advisor, Aeschere, and flees. Hrothgar
sends Beowulf to track her down and seek revanche. They end up finding Aeschere’s head at the lake of
monsters where they also encounter various sea monsters. Beowulf prepares for battle by putting on his ar-
mor and jumps into the water to find Grendel’s mother who inhabits the bottom of the lake. It takes Be-
owulf a full day to reach the bottom and once he reaches it he is ambushed by Grendel’s mother and
dragged into her cave. Beowulf and Grendel’s mother fight but when Beowulf can't seem to do any damage
with his sword he tosses it and begins wrestling her, which doesn’t do much either. Grendel’s mother is
unimpressed and attempts to stab Beowulf. Although this appears to be the end of Beowulf, he magically
finds a supernatural, forged by a giants sword, and uses it to kill Grendel’s mother. After his victory, Be-
owulf decapitates Grendel’s mother’s corpse and takes her head as a present for Hrothgar. Sadly the sword
could only be used once and dissolves. When Beowulf arrives he hands over the head and the sword’s holt
to Hrothgar and is once again rewarded with gifts. They celebrated and proceeded to party until it was time
for Beowulf and his men to sail back. At Beowulf’s return, he offers the treasures to his King Hygelac and he
receives a sword, land, and a house as a thank you.
