Beowulf Summary with Headers and Quotes and Questions

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The Wrath of Grendel:

A monster lay in the darkness listening to the harp, and the poet told of the creation of earth by the Almighty: “recalling / The Almighty making the earth,” “Hrothgar’s men” were “happy in his hall” but the monster Grendel came “to Herot” at night and “snatched up thirty” drunk “men” and carried them back to his lair. The next morning, Hrothgar’s other men saw what Grendel had done and cried. When “Grendel came again” “that night,” all the warriors ran away to save themselves. Grendel came to rule over Herot “for years” while Hrothgar lamented his loss of power. Grendel’s presence created paranoia throughout Denmark. Grendel “continued his crimes” but never touched Hrothgar’s throne, as it was “protected by God.” His court pondered what to do and wanted “the bravest of warriors.”

The Coming of Beowulf:

Beowulf, “Higlac’s / Follower” and a Geat, heard about Grendel’s actions and “sail[ed] across the sea to Hrothgar” with the support of his fellow Geats. “Beowulf / Chose the mightiest men he could find,” “fourteen / In all,” and sailed to Denmark. After a rocky voyage, “The Geats / Pushed their boat to the sand.” “A Danish watcher” saw the men arrive and rode down to meet them. He asked “whose soldiers” they were and implored them about their motives. Beowulf responded that they were Geats and that his father was a respectable soldier. Beowulf then stated that he is here to rid Denmark of “some strange, vicious creature.” The sentry believed Beowulf and instructed him and his men to “go forward, weapons and armor / And all, on into Denmark,” with the guard’s instruction. The patrol will also monitor Beowulf’s ship. The men then marched to Herot and greeted Hrothgar, where they expressed despair at Grendel’s monstrosity. Beowulf then told of his accomplishments, such as driving “five great giants into chains,” and stated that he would fight Grendel nobly. Beowulf believed his men would fight valiantly.

The Battle with Grendel:

At night, “Grendel came” with the intention “to kill / Anyone he could trap.” He stealthily approached Herot until he reached it and snapped its doors open and saw “the hall / Crowded with sleeping warriors.” However, fate made this meal Grendel’s last. As he snatched up “the first Geat,” Beowulf watched steadily, but when Grendel tried to snatch him, Beowulf lunged at him. Grendel instantly knew that Beowulf was a formidable opponent and tried to leave, but Beowulf “stopped / The monster’s flight.” Although Grendel desperately tried to free himself, Herot stayed intact. Beowulf and his men surrounded Grendel, but nothing “could…scratch at his skin.” Just as Grendel appeared defeated, the “bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder / Snapped,” allowing Grendel to escape. However, his injuries were so severe that he was no going to live much longer. Beowulf was “granted new glory” and was able to hold “the monster’s / Arm, claw and shoulder and all” in the air.

The Monsters’ Lair:

One of the men at Herot told the story of Grendel: he was “a man…mightier than any man.” There was also “a female creature.” These creatures “live in secret places” near a mystical lake. The men at Herot implore Beowulf to seek “Grendel’s mother” to save them “once more” in exchange for gold.

The Battle With Grendel’s Mother:

Before the battle, Beowulf stated what he wanted if he were killed. He then jumped in the lake and swan for a while until he saw “the greedy she-wolf / Who’d ruled those waters for half a hundred / Years.” The monster attempted to grab Beowulf, but failing to do so, “she carried him…to her home.” Beowulf “struggled / To free his weapon,” and other sea beasts came to watch the battle. Beowulf managed to swing his sword at the monster, but “no sword could slice her evil / Skin.” As his sword was useless, he threw it to the side and “seized her by the shoulder” and “threw her to the floor.” She appeared done for, but “she rose / At once” and “drew / A dagger...to avenge her…son.” Her stabs were rendered useless by his mail. Beowulf then grabbed “a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants…and blessed with their magic.” He “lifted it high over his head” and “caught her in the neck and cut it through.” He then walked out of the room and made his way back to the surface. The other warriors did not have much hope for Beowulf and “agreed that Grendel’s / Mighty mother…had killed him” and “went home.” With “Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giants’ / Jeweled sword,” Beowulf swam up. The other Geats were glad that Beowulf survived. They carried him and his armor back to Herot, where he showed off his accomplishments to Hrothgar.

The Last Battle:

Beowulf is old now, but he still wanted to fight again, this time against “the dragon hiding in his tower.” He was determined to kill the beast with his hands. Beowulf reasoned that he was the only one capable of defeating the dragon, and he would then get the dragon’s gold. He walked to the dragon’s lair and “roared out a battle cry.” The dragon awakened and puffed out smoke. Beowulf beckoned the beast to come closer, and it did but also with “fire and smoke,” causing Beowulf to standing “behind his high shield” until it began to melt. Beowulf swung his sword “at the dragon’s scaly hide,” but it cracked. The dragon approached Beowulf, causing him and his men to fall back. One man, Wiglaf, stayed with Beowulf and raised his sacred sword that he had inherited from his valiant father, Wexstan. He reasoned that it was the other men’s turn to support Beowulf and “dove through the dragon’s deadly fumes.”

The Spoils:

On Beowulf’s request, Wiglaf entered the tower and “saw / Piles of gleaming gold, precious /
Gems,” and other wealthy objects. There was also “a golden / Banner, woven by the best of weavers.” Wiglaf took all he could hold and gave them to Beowulf, who “had ended those flying, burning raids / Forever.” With some water to help him speak, Beowulf thanked “Our Father in Heaven, Ruler of the Earth” for allowing him to give his “life / For this treasure.” Beowulf then arranged his funeral and gave Wiglaf dominion over the country before finally dying.

The Farewell:

“The Geats built the tower” to commemorate Beowulf and filled it with all “the riches he and Wiglaf / Had won from the dragon.” “Twelve of the bravest Geats” paid their respects to Beowulf.

1. “Greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world,” rebelled against Grendel’s monstrosity, and “when help was needed.”

2. “Perhaps / Hrothgar can hunt, here in my heart, / For some way to drive this devil out.”

3. He is committed to killing Grendel even though he is savage and killed one of his own men. Beowulf al-so kills Grendel’s mother even though only came to kill Grendel.

Grendel is familiar in our country, as sailors have told stories about how Herot is deserted and useless when it is night. It seems as though life fled with life.