A shield to the onset; only with hand-grip
I, too, shall disdain to use any.
The foe I must grapple, fight for my life then,
Foeman with foeman; he fain must rely on
The doom of the Lord whom death layeth hold of.
Hrothgar throws a feast for the warrior brave enough to take on the hideous monster. At the feast, Unferth, a Danish warrior becomes jealous of the attention given to Beowulf. He mocks him about his past defeats. Beowulf responds to his mockery with a story of his own strength. He declares that Grendel will learn to be afraid of the Deats. When the festivity ends, the Danes leave the hall to Beowulf and his men. As they wait for Grendel to arrive, Beowulf’s men begin to fall asleep. When the monster arrives he marvels at his prey.
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Many believe him to be the next successor of the Danes. A Danish bard sings of Beowulf’s victory and an infamous hero named Sigemund who slaughtered a mighty dragon. Hrothgar thanks Beowulf for defeating Grendel. He declares Beowulf is now like a son to him. While Beowulf is content that he saved the town from Grendel’s wrath he also regrets not killing him. The king pays Beowulf in gold for his noble service to the kingdom. Hrothgar’s scop then tells the people a tale from the reign of Hrothgar’s father. Hnæf, the Dane’s general, was attacked while staying at Finn’s castle. The Danes establish a truce with the Frisians. The treaty lasts until the spring, when the Danes turn on the Frisians and kill Finn. Following the story, Queen Wealhtheow enters the scene and presents Beowulf with a torque and a set of armour. As the celebration roars on, Beowulf is presented with accolades of every …show more content…
Grendel’s mother appears, a creature more attricious than even Grendel himself:
Devil-shaped woman, her woe ever minded,
Who was held to inhabit the horrible waters,
The cold-flowing currents, after Cain had become a
Slayer-with-edges to his one only brother,
The son of his sire.
Grendel’s mother grabs Æschere, Hrothgar’s advisor, before she wakes the soldiers and flees with her victim and Grendel's arm. Hrothgar is distressed over the death of Æschere. He describes the dark cavern, known as the moors, that Grendel’s mother lives in. He then requests the help of Beowulf once again in the riddance of the horrible creature.
Beowulf begins on his journey to slay Grendel’s demonic mother. He travels on horse to a magical lake. Placed on the edge of the cliff, Beowulf’s troop spots the gory head of Æschere. Looking down into the murky water, Beowulf’s troop is able to see the serpents and sea
When he struggles and struggles finally Beowulf strength is too much and Grendel’s arm is ripped from its socket. He knows his horrible fate which is to bleed to death in the horrid fen.Although soon after the She demon, Grendel's mother comes back for revenge. Beowulf is prepared and more ready then he’ll ever be.He defeats the She demon triumphantly and comes home strong with pride. Soon Beowulf becomes homesick and returns to his homeland of the Geats, he fights strongly with his uncle until he dies, Beowulf is asked to be the king of the Geats but kindly declines. It is only when Heardred, Beowulf cousin dies that he accepts the position of king and rules wisely. Beowulf grows old and creates the golden age for the land but when the fire drake an evil monster who guards treasure burns down most of the land, Beowulf is ready for one last fight. Using the bees to sting it to death Beowulf and his companion Wiglaf face the beast and kill it. Beowulf's last battle is one to remember and shortly after Beowulf dies of old age but everyone knows that his spirit will live on and create peace for the land of the
Beowulf is an old Anglo-Saxon story of a terrifying monster Grendel, Grendel travels to the Danes mead hall Heorot and while the danes expect it least he attacks killing countless men purely for the joys of doing so. Hrothgar king of the Danes calls for a warrior to fight this unruly beast. After 12 long years of grendel attacking Hrothgar's calls are answered and the great warrior Beowulf comes to kill Grendel. Beowulf travels to the land of the Danes from across the seas and in the first night he kills Grendel. Sadly for Beowulf Grendel has a mother that now seeks revenge for her son's death and Beowulf is asked to kill Grendel’s mother as well. Beowulf goes to where Grendel’s mother is staying and battled her to the death , Beowulf wins
Once his mother tries getting the revenge on him that he did on her son by getting him to the point where he can’t handle her strong grip, the “holy God decided the victory (1553-1554).” He returned back on his feet getting a good grip of the heavy sword swings it and results in him cutting through her neck. Accomplishing another big victory, Beowulf and the guards return to land with Grendel’s head and the melted sword surprising everybody by their return. Beowulf stated, “if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal (1657-1658),” allowing the people to know that he almost did not return. Proud of Beowulf, Hrothgar speaks highly of him after being presented with the remains of the sword informing him of the powers and responsibility he has. As he gets older, he begins to realize his responsibilities and that he can no longer fight and protect the people like he used to when the dragon arrives and he refused it, but then states that, “I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning, if the evil one will only abandon his earth-fort and face me in the open (2513-2515).” Once again going through the tough time, “he could not hold back: one hand brandished the yellow-timbered shield, the other drew his sword (2609-2910),” and with the help of Wiglaf, they defeat
Beowulf son of the famous soldier Edegtho, comes to the rescue of Hrothgar. Hrothgar king of the Danes, which his land is being attacked by a treacherous monster named Grendel. Beowulf is described as a vigorous, fearless man of the Anglo Saxon times. Beowulf comes from a past generation of tenacious warriors. Like Beowulf’s dad, a famous soldier known far, and leader of many men. The Danes now see why Beowulf is such a fearless warrior. In Beowulf, the hero decides to fight without a weapon for three reasons he wants to be glorious, he is fearless, wanted to help the people of noble place and he wants to honor his people. Beowulf faces many conflicts fighting these dangerous monsters, but manages to defeat Grendel and his mother.
Beowulf, the defender of Hrothgar and Heorot, exhibits far more complicated (and less sincere) shades of revenge than the Grendel’s mother. At the end of the day, Beowulf’s goal is to become the preeminent warrior in all the land. In his society, the only way to gain such widespread celebrity is through courageous and self-endangering acts. Beowulf masks these deeds with a façade of seeking revenge; he supposedly comes to Heorot to save the Danes from Grendel’s terror, but his true motives lie in becoming a hero. His reward is not the pride of doing a good deed; Beowulf is rewarded with lavish and expensive gifts.
Grendel’s mother is a swamp-hag who lives in a desolate lake. She comes to Heorot seeking revenge for her son’s death. She murders Aeschere, who is one of the king’s best friends and most-trusted advisers. After murdering him, she sinks back down into the lake to return to her house. Beowulf decides to pursue her into the lake to fight her in the underwater house. Beowulf kills her with a sword that was made for a giant. After killing her, he discovers Grendel's body in her underwater house. He cuts off Grendel's head and brings it back to the king as another prize to hang in the mead-hall as a
They praise sir Beowulf, thanking him greatly. Yet little did this town or Beowulf know the agony yet to come. Grendel was indeed a monster, but a monster who was the spawn of a cruel creature. The slain monster’s mother, a she-wolf would be the hero’s next challenge. He would travel to the home of the monster’s mother, to yet again engage in the act of battle. They shall meet in the deep depths of the marshy hell. Beowulf would try to defeat the she-wolf with his sword but would not be enough. As he begins to become beaten, and weak, he sees a sword that may be to his advantage. “A heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed by their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift its carved and decorated length” (page 54 line 530-535) He raised thy mighty sword and struck the devil in the neck, cutting the entire head off. Hrothgar’s men watch the monster’s lake filled with blood. Thinking all hope and gone and mighty Beowulf had been killed. Yet as the old men begin to whisper the mighty hero rises from the lake, only holding the she-wolfs head and the giant’s sword. The Beowulf would return with the head and place the monsters head in front of the
Lord Hrothgar of Denmark, a relative of the colossal ruler Shield Sheafson, appreciates a prosperous and fruitful rule. He assembles an awesome mead-corridor, called Heorot, where his warriors can accumulate to drink, get endowments from their master, and tune in to stories sung by the scops, or troubadours. Be that as it may, the happy clamor from Heorot rankles Grendel, a loathsome evil presence who lives in the swamplands of Hrothgar's kingdom. Grendel threatens the Danes consistently, slaughtering them and vanquishing their endeavors to battle back. The Danes endure numerous times of dread, risk, and passing on account of Grendel. In the long run, be that as it may, a youthful Geatish warrior named Beowulf knows about Hrothgar's situation. Roused by the test, Beowulf sails to Denmark with a little organization of men, resolved to crush Grendel.
After the first victory, Beowulf’s “comrades willingly go with him because of their confidence in his ability to lead them and to achieve their objectives” (Loughman). Beowulf becomes a role model not only for his thanes, but for the Danes of Heorot as well. Following defeat of Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar gives a sermon before the celebration honoring Beowulf begins. Hrothgar says “Beowulf, my friend, your fame has gone far and wide, you are known everywhere….forever you will be your people’s mainstay and your own warriors’ helping hand” (McArthur). King Hrothgar informs Beowulf of his significance to the Danes and how he serves as the backbone of his group of warriors.
However, their sleep did not last long. During the night, Grendel’s mother came to avenge her son’s death. She enters the hall and grabs Aeschere and her son’s arm. Beowulf goes to follow her and swims for an entire day in her pool before he sees the bottom of the mere. When Beowulf descends into Grendel’s mere, he loses ground as the fight progresses. It is then assumed that Beowulf is fighting desperately for his life. Then, the water closed over him. It was “the space of a day,” before he could see the bottom of the mere (Burlin 121). The hero’s physical powers grow far beyond human dimensions. Beowulf is about to attempt to use a weapon although they were useless against her; “then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword...but so massive that no ordinary man could life its carved and decorated length” (72). Once he is in Grendel’s mother’s mere, Beowulf remains underwater for more than a day (Burlin 120). Finally, Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother, and her blood melts his sword (Bloom 16).
Beowulf sees the need of taking risks when he must help his friend across the sea in bringing peace to his land. Hrothgar’s kingdom, Denmark, is being terrorized by the vicious, bloody thirsty demons, Grendel and his mother. Sailing across the sea, putting his own life at risk for others is an immense risk that can certainly lead to Beowulf’s demise. The Geats, who idolize Beowulf, see this risk but can comprehend that Beowulf must go as it is the only way to save the Danes “Would sail across the sea to
Grendel, the man-eating monster, decides he wants to show himself to the people of Hrothgar’s kingdom to prevent his loneliness. Instead of gaining friendship, Grendel is attacked and almost killed by Hrothgar’s warriors. Grendel intimidates the Danish warriors when he holds a dead body in front of
However, revenge motivates the people in this pagan society, and before long, news of Hrothgar's troubles reach far and wide, including Geatland. Beowulf feels compelled to come to Hrothgar's aid, not only for fame and glory, but also to settle an old feud between their kin. Before long, Beowulf, "the Geat captain had boldly fulfilled his boast to the Danes: he had healed and relieved a huge distress, unremitting humiliations." (L. 827-830) Before Beowulf killed Grendel, one of his Geats had to die by the hands of Grendel. According to the honour of the heroic code, vengeance had to be imposed "and compensation, a price in gold, was settled for the Geat Grendel had cruelly killed earlier." (L. 1052-1054) This is another example of how revenge is intricated into their society, and in this case Hrothgar, being the noble king that he is, pays the
The king of Danes, Hrothgar, was first introduced as an accomplished and wise king. He comes to be well known as a young king when he protected Beowulf's now departed father, Ecgtheow. Hrothgar wergild peace with Ecgtheow's enemies so that the bloody feud would end. With Hrothgar doing this generous deed to help Ecgtheow and his kingdom out Beowulf devotes his assistance in the beginning of the poem. One thing that makes Hrothgar a good king is that he always seems to stay true to his word, as is told at the beginning, “the king kept well his pledge and promise to deal out gifts, rings at the banquet” (53-55). It was clear that Hrothgar was an exceptional military leader with his bravery and strength but he is aged now and cannot fight the same as he used to. The Danes are then faced with an evil and wicked monster, Grendel, who terrorizes his realm. Beowulf asks Hrothgar if he could fight this battle for him to pay back his family debt and Hrothgar agreed. Hrothgar makes a promise to reward Beowulf if he succeeds in killing the monster Grendel. He says, “For his gallant courage I’ll load him with gifts…. shall know not want of treasure or wealth
The main protagonist, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose great hall, Heorot, is plagued by the monster Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands and Grendel's mother with a sword, which giants once used, that Beowulf found in Grendel's mother's lair.