Prime Hrothgar

Hrothgar

There are three important battles between Grendel and Beowulf, Grendel’s mother and Beowulf, and the dragon and Beowulf, which are the main events in the book. It will be relatively easy to understand the book clearly, if we view the three battles in terms of the motives of weapons, treasure and society.

Queen Hygd offered Beowulf the throne after her husband (Hygelac) died, thinking that her young son (Heardred) was unable to protect the kingdom; Beowulf refused but served the young king faithfully. After Heardred’s death, Beowulf did become king and ruled his people well for 50 years.

Beowulf death was caused by a poisonous wound from the dragon. But he really died because his past and his pride blinded him to the reality that he was an aging king who could no longer perform the same feats of strength and bravery, making him a tragic hero.

‘I thank God that I can give my people these gifts of gold. But you must see to the people’s needs now, Wiglaf. I cannot be here any more. After they burn my body, tell my warriors to build a great burial mound on the cliffs that stick out into the sea.

He knew his death was near: ‘After they burn my body, tell my warriors to build a great burial mound on the cliffs that stick out into the sea. The sailors steering their ships on the gloomy waters will see it and call it Beowulf’s barrow, and my people will remember me. ‘

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants. Beowulf seizes the huge sword and swings it in a powerful arc. The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Among various treasures, his most valuable find is the corpse of Grendel. With vengeance, Beowulf chops off the ogre’s head. Eschewing all the other treasure, Beowulf leaves the cave and swims up through the mere taking only Grendel’s head and the hilt of the giant sword.

Hrunting