In this poem from the 8th century, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, comes to the help of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall has been under attack by a being known as Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel's mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf goes home to Geatland in Sweden and later becomes king of the Geats. After a period of fifty years has passed, Beowulf defeats a dragon, but is fatally wounded in the battle.
1. Beowulf, Hero of the Geats
2. Beowulf arrives at the kingdom of King Hrodgar. A guard asks the reason for his visit. Beowulf tells him he came to free the Danes of Grendel.
3. Grendel has been wreaking havoc in Hrodgar's mead hall several times, whenever the warriors feast and sing loudly.
4. Beowulf defeats Grendel and rips his arm off. The dying monster escapes back to its lair, where his mother swears revenge.
5. Grendel is her only child, and so the monstrous witch awaits Beowulf, who has set out to look for the mother and confirm Grendel's death.
6. Grendels mother, who lives in a cavern under the sea, grabs Beowulf and brings him to her home, where they fight fiercely until Beowulf finally kills her.
Fifty years later, a thief steals a golden cup from a dragon's lair, awakening the dragon and killing everything within its reach. Beowulf faces his final battle. He slays the dragon, but is mortally wounded. Good night Beowulf, Sometime King of the Geats!
