Summary
An ugly image of Grendel from the movie, Beowulf.
The book starts of by talking about the Danish king, Shild, and all of who came after him. It then talks about Hrothgar, a Danish king who is struggling with a creature known as Grendel. Grendel is this monstrous beast who goes around terrorizing the Danes and he is unstoppable. As a selfish effort to help the helpless king, Beowulf, along with 12 other Geats, sail across to Denmark to help Hrothgar.
Beowulf is welcomed by Hrothgar warmly and both exchange stories and drink in Herot, a hall built by Hrothgar for warriors. After they are done drinking, they get ready for the attack from Grendel. Beowulf announces that he will fight Grendel with his bare hands, and when Grendel comes, Beowulf does what he says. All of Beowulf 's comrades are unable to help Beowulf due to the fact that Grendel uses magic to render the swords useless. Beowulf alone nearly kills Grendel, but Grendel gets away and dies in his swamp. Before Grendel leaves to die in his swamp, Beowulf cuts of his arm and keeps it as a trophy.
Beowulf is welcomed by Hrothgar warmly and both exchange stories and drink in Herot, a hall built by Hrothgar for warriors. After they are done drinking, they get ready for the attack from Grendel. Beowulf announces that he will fight Grendel with his bare hands, and when Grendel comes, Beowulf does what he says. All of Beowulf 's comrades are unable to help Beowulf due to the fact that Grendel uses magic to render the swords useless. Beowulf alone nearly kills Grendel, but Grendel gets away and dies in his swamp. Before Grendel leaves to die in his swamp, Beowulf cuts of his arm and keeps it as a trophy.
After killing Grendel, Beowulf is given many treasures by Hrothgar as a token of his appreciation. The situation is under control until Grendel's mother comes. Grendel's mother is angry and wants revenge on Beowulf for killing his son. Grendel's mom goes into Herot, causes chaos and kills Esher, a man who was very close to Hrothgar. Beowulf says he will venture once more to help Hrothgar kill Grendel's overprotective mother. Beowulf, Hrothgar and some men go into where Grendel's mom is hiding and when Beowulf spots her inside the water, he jumps into the water. He battles with Grendel's mother for many hours until she pulls out a dagger and stabs Beowulf in the chest. Of course Beowulf should have died but instead he survives and finds a sword made by the ice giants. Beowulf grabs the sword and slices of Grendel's mothers head with it. Beowulf then exists the swamp with Grendel's head.
Beowulf has gotten rid of all the evil in Denmark and is all ready to leave. Hrothgar gives Beowulf even more presents and gives him some advice saying not to not be too cocky and that he would make a wonderful king. Beowulf takes his leave and reaches back to his king, Higlac. Again Beowulf is welcomed warmly and Higlac asks how was his journey in Denmark. Beowulf tells all of his accomplishments in Denmark and goes on to giving all the treasure he has earned in Denmark to Higlac.
Time passes on and eventually Higlac dies, he wishes for Beowulf to become king but Beowulf refuses saying that he would not become king because Higlac's son was next in line. So Higlac's son, Herdred takes over the throne but after going into war with the Swedes, he dies. Beowulf takes over the throne and ends the war with the Swedes.
Beowulf has been king for nearly 50 years and everything has gone smoothly until a slave steals a jeweled cup from a dragon. After stealing this cup, the dragon wakes up from its slumber determined to find ,and kill, whoever stole the cup. The dragon goes around terrorizing the Geats and killing whoever comes in the dragons way. Beowulf decides to set out and kill the dragon, along with a few of his men. Beowulf goes to fight the dragon but while doing so, he gets injured by the dragon and is about to die. All of Beowulf's men leave, except for one. The mans name was Wiglaf, and he protects Beowulf from the dragon. In that time Beowulf gets out his dagger and slices the dragon in half.
After the dragon has been slain, Beowulf is about to die from the venom of the dragon. Before Beowulf dies he appoints Wiglaf as king and asks to have a tower built that would be known as Beowulf's tower. Wiglaf goes onto having a funeral for Beowulf and makes the tower that Beowulf requested. Wiglaf also tells that there will be no joy and no happiness because they're beloved king has died. The story ends with Wiglaf mourning over the loss of Beowulf.