Beowulf fights Grendel and the Dragon

Language in Literature III (Anglo- American Lit.)

Beowulf Fights Grendel and the Dragon

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem, the most important work of Old English literature and one of the earliest extant poems in modern times. The only surviving manuscript was discovered in the 17th century by the English antiquarian, Sir Robert Cotton (1571–1631). It has been preserved since 1753 in the Codex Vittelius AXV in the British Museum.

The somber story is told in vigorous, picturesque language, with much use of metaphor. It tells of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, half man and half fiend. Fifty years later, Beowulf succeeds in repeating these exploits, freeing his own land from devastation.

Beowulf has been published and translated into modern English frequently since 1833, sometimes in poetry, sometimes in prose. The verse translation by the Irish poet and Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney published in 2000 was recognized as the book of the year when awarded the England's prestigious Whitbread Prize.

Plot OverviewPart 1

Our story begins in the kingdom of the Danes of a land named Denmark. It was a peaceful place of prosperity and comfort until a great demon named Grendel arose. Grendel was a terrifying monster that attacked and killed countless Dane people causing great sorrow and despair within the hearts of many for several years. Next

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Part 2

Then came a very interesting man from a faraway land. A man whose very appearance proved that of a warrior. He was tall, muscular, confident, handsome. He was Beowulf.

Beowulf heard the plea of the Dane king and accepted the challenge of defeating the great demon Grendel as Beowulf had never faced defeat…

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Part 3

The king of Dane then decides to celebrate by having a party in honor of Beowulf. Great amounts of food and drink are shared among the party along with plenty of laughs and tales of Beowulf's’ previous accomplishments. The people continued to celebrate deep into the night until suddenly a great figure appeared from out of the darkness. Grendel had been awakened…Next

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Part 4

Grendel had done Beowulf a great favor, as Grendel came to him. Beowulf accepted the challenge and fought the great demon bare handed! Beowulf and Grendel both displayed great strength and endurance as they battled to the death. Although both were admirable foes, only one could win. Grendel possessed something Beowulf did not….fear. This gave Beowulf the advantage Next

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Part 5

After an energetic battle of strength and cunning, Beowulf was the victor. Although Grendel was not yet dead and Beowulf was not yet finished. Beowulf then rips one of Grendels’ arms right off his body and holds it high for all to see. Grendel manages to escape alive but mortally wounded. Grendel returns to his swamp and spends his last moments within the comfort of his mother…

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Part 6

Few knew that Grendel had a mother and those that did were most likely dead! The main theme then changes from Beowulfs’ heroics to the mothers’ revenge. Grendels’ mother later kills Aeschere, one of the Kings best men/personal aids, out of revenge for her sons’ death and returns to her swamp soon after. A small group of men and Beowulf later travel to the swamp on a quest to avenge the murder of Aeschere…

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Part 7

Beowulf finds the swamp where Grendels’ mother lies in wait. He dives into the murky water down to the very bottom where he discovers the underwater lair of Grendels’ mother. After a great attempt of seduction, the mother charges at Beowulf and engages him in another great battle of man versus demon. After much sweat and bloodshed, Beowulf stands victorious as he cuts down Grendels’ mother with a Sword forged for giants!

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Part 8

The battle is over, but the story has just begun. Amongst the underwater lair, Beowulf discovers Grendels’ corpse and cuts off his head as a trophy for the king of Dane. The people of Dane are overjoyed as the terrifying monsters have been slain and peace has been restored to their land all thanks to Beowulf. Beowulf then leaves Dane and sails back home to his kingdom of Geat…. Next

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Part 9

Upon returning to Geat, Beowulf is appointed king of Geat and becomes a great ruler for over fifty years. Then, one day a thief disturbs an old tomb of treasure that is guarded by a ferocious dragon. The dragon is awakened and begins wreaking havoc upon the people of Geat. Many attempt to kill the dragon but none prevail as there is but one man who could defeat such a terrifying beast. His name is Beowulf...

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Part 10

Yet Beowulf is no longer the young man he was in Denmark as fifty years have passed and Beowulf has become an old man. Yet, his strength and courage have not left him as he and his companion Wiglaf set off to the dragons lair in an attempt to bring peace back to their land.

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Part 11

Beowulf and Wiglaf confront the Dragon in what is to be the most difficult and rigorous battle of their lives. After many futile attempts, Beowulf finally manages to penetrate the strong scaly skin of the dragon. His blade cuts deep but at a great price as Beowulf has been bitten and the dragons venom begins to spread… Next

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Part 12

Beowulf begun to feel the poison spread through his body and ever closer to his heart. He sits down by a river with his companion Wiglaf and speaks to him his dying words. He asks that his people remember him and his successful reign with the construction of a burial mound overlooking the sea. The last words of Beowulf are as followed, “You are the last of our family Wiglaf. All the others fell when fate decided they must. Now I must follow them…” The End Previou

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