The poem is introduced with the great king of ancient Danes, Shield Sheafson who had rose to power and honored by many clans. After Shield Sheafson's death, his son Beow inherited the kingdom. This passing of inheritance from son to son continued on for generations after Beow, including his son Halfdane and then finally Hrothgar. Hrothgar brought great military success to his kingdom and because of that he decided to construct a monument. This monuments was a "mead hall" called Heorot where men would gather for some pass time. As time went on, his kingdom was in peace until a demon from Cain called Grendel intruded from the lowlands. Grendel killed thirty of his men while they were asleep. None of his men could fight against this demon who eventually took over Heorot. Beowulf is the nephew of the Geatish king Hygelac and is a great hero. When Beowulf hears about what has happened in the Danes, he decides to travel there and help Hrogthar defeat Grendel. Along with him were fourteen warriors who traveled across the sea to the kingdom. Because Beowulf and his warriors looked so sophisticated in their armor and shields, the watchmen guessed that he was a hero.
As Beowulf walks into the Hrothgar's kingdom, he is accepted by him and he also agrees to fight Grendel. Unferth, who is a Dane, becomes jealous of Beowulf and begins to gossip about him saying that the demon will defeat him. But Beowulf shows such confidence that he leaves the whole hall in awe. During the same night, the hall is all to Beowulf and his warriors to fight Grendel. When Grendel arrives, he underestimates Beowulf's strength and tries to run away, but Beowulf wrestles him down. He is able to rip Grendel's arm off and horribly wounded, the demon goes back to the swamps to die. As proof of his victory, Beowulf hold up the arm and hangs it on the wall of Heorot. The next morning, everyone is cheering and celebrating this success and the Danish bard starts singing Beowulf's story. When Hrogthar enter the hall, he feels relieved from Grendel and thanks Beowulf. The king also told him that he will give him many rewards and adopted him as a son in his heart. The Danes begin to clear up the damage caused by Grendel and bring forth order to Heorot.
Hrogthar then treats Beowulf to a banquet in honor of hi. There, the king's scop sings the story of Finn which is about the battle between the Danes and Finn. Because of the death of Danish leader, Hnaef, they decide to make truce with the Frisians. At the end, they still battle it out, resulting in the death of Finn and widow Hildburh goes back to Denmark. When Wealhtheow, the wife of the king, enters,she praises all her children and says that if for any reason the king dies, they will be taken care of by their cousin Hrothulf. She also presents Beowulf with a torque of gold and an armor.
As Beowulf walks into the Hrothgar's kingdom, he is accepted by him and he also agrees to fight Grendel. Unferth, who is a Dane, becomes jealous of Beowulf and begins to gossip about him saying that the demon will defeat him. But Beowulf shows such confidence that he leaves the whole hall in awe. During the same night, the hall is all to Beowulf and his warriors to fight Grendel. When Grendel arrives, he underestimates Beowulf's strength and tries to run away, but Beowulf wrestles him down. He is able to rip Grendel's arm off and horribly wounded, the demon goes back to the swamps to die. As proof of his victory, Beowulf hold up the arm and hangs it on the wall of Heorot. The next morning, everyone is cheering and celebrating this success and the Danish bard starts singing Beowulf's story. When Hrogthar enter the hall, he feels relieved from Grendel and thanks Beowulf. The king also told him that he will give him many rewards and adopted him as a son in his heart. The Danes begin to clear up the damage caused by Grendel and bring forth order to Heorot.
Hrogthar then treats Beowulf to a banquet in honor of hi. There, the king's scop sings the story of Finn which is about the battle between the Danes and Finn. Because of the death of Danish leader, Hnaef, they decide to make truce with the Frisians. At the end, they still battle it out, resulting in the death of Finn and widow Hildburh goes back to Denmark. When Wealhtheow, the wife of the king, enters,she praises all her children and says that if for any reason the king dies, they will be taken care of by their cousin Hrothulf. She also presents Beowulf with a torque of gold and an armor.
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