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As Grendel struggles to escape, Beowulf tears the monster’s arm off. Mortally wounded, Grendel slinks back into the swamp to die. The severed arm is hung high in the mead-hall as a trophy of victory. Overjoyed, Hrothgar showers Beowulf with gifts and treasure at a feast in his honor.
- Lines 1–300
A summary of Lines 1–300 in Anonymous's Beowulf. Learn...
- Suggestions for Further Reading
Beowulf and Grendel: The Truth Behind England’s Oldest...
- Beowulf
The central conflict of Beowulf arises as Beowulf, who...
- Protagonist
Beowulf’s death leaves his people vulnerable and afraid,...
- Character List
Character List - Beowulf: Full Poem Summary - SparkNotes
- Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz - Beowulf: Full Poem Summary - SparkNotes
- Analysis of Major Characters
Analysis of Major Characters - Beowulf: Full Poem Summary -...
- Flashcards
Prepare for your next exam with Beowulf flashcards. Test...
- Lines 1–300
Plot Summary. We’ll start with a brief summary of Beowulf before proceeding to some textual analysis and critical reading. Beowulf is a classic ‘overcoming the monster’ story. Most people know that the poem documents the struggle of the title character in vanquishing a monster named Grendel.
Need help with Beowulf vs. Grendel (Lines 702–836) in Anonymous's Beowulf? Check out our revolutionary side-by-side summary and analysis.
The central conflict of Beowulf arises as Beowulf, who embodies the ancient Northern European warrior code, comes up against the limitations of that code. He encounters these limitations during a series of combats. The first is with Grendel, a creature who “nurse[s] a hard grievance” (l.87) against the successful warrior-king Hrothgar and ...
Across the sea in Geatland—a region which corresponds to southern Sweden—the warrior Beowulf hears of Grendel and resolves to take a company of men to kill the troll. Beowulf sails to the now-abandoned Heorot and awaits Grendel’s arrival. Without the use of weapons, Beowulf delivers a mortal wound to Grendel, who returns to his lair to die.
The epic poem follows Beowulf, a hero who comes to aid Hrothgar, King of the Danes, in his fight against the vicious monster Grendel. Before the tale is over, Beowulf fights and defeats Grendel, Grendel’s mother, becomes king of the Geats, and vanquishes a dragon.
Beowulf Comes to Heorot and Battles Grendel (Lines 229–835): Across the sea in Geatland lives the strongest warrior in the world, Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, subject to King Hygelac. Beowulf...
