Beowulf 1492 - 1924

In particular, Beowulf receives earnest advice from Hrothgar, by now a father-figure, about how to comport himself both as a man and as a ruler.

When he breaks the surface, the Geats are overjoyed as they advance to meet him and unfasten his armor.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

She seems to be more unambiguously animalistic and less a symbol of pure evil than he is.

She seems to be more unambiguously animalistic and less a symbol of pure evil than he is.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf’s goodness, evenness, and loyalty, contrasts him with the evil King Heremod, and predicts a great future for him.

When he breaks the surface, the Geats are overjoyed as they advance to meet him and unfasten his armor.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

On land, the Danes lose hope when they see blood well up from the depths.

However, the mere, or lake, in which Grendel’s mother lives is no ordinary body of water.

Furious at the sight of the fiend, he decapitates Grendel as a final repayment for all of the lives that Grendel took.

Indeed, the remainder of this section is dominated by elaborate formal oratory detailing the characteristics of successful participation in society.

On the other hand, there is less theological language attached to her malice than to Grendel’s.

Imagery of darkness and light is important in this underwater world.

On land, the Danes lose hope when they see blood well up from the depths.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

It is an elemental world of water, fire, and blood, and one with an extremely unholy feel to it.

It is an elemental world of water, fire, and blood, and one with an extremely unholy feel to it.

When he breaks the surface, the Geats are overjoyed as they advance to meet him and unfasten his armor.

She lunges at him and clutches him in her grip, but his armor, as predicted, prevents her from crushing him.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

The reader already has been prepared for Beowulf’s superhuman swimming abilities by the earlier story of the contest with Breca.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

Only the small band of Geats, Beowulf’s kinsmen, waits on.

A light appears, and Beowulf looks around, his sword held high in readiness.

Another banquet ensues, with great feasting and revelry.

The Geats return to the coast, where they grant a reward to the watchman who has guarded their ship.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

The darkness of the lair symbolizes evil, and it leads to Beowulf’s general disorientation in this unfamiliar environment.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

When they arrive at the hall, the Danes gawk at the head in horror and amazement.

The reader already has been prepared for Beowulf’s superhuman swimming abilities by the earlier story of the contest with Breca.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

She lunges at him and clutches him in her grip, but his armor, as predicted, prevents her from crushing him.

Beowulf seizes its hilt, which remains solid and, grasping Grendel’s head in his other hand, swims for the surface.

When they arrive at the hall, the Danes gawk at the head in horror and amazement.

He spies Grendel’s corpse lying in a corner.

Indeed, the remainder of this section is dominated by elaborate formal oratory detailing the characteristics of successful participation in society.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

Because light bears the implication of Christian holiness and salvation, with these words, the poet suggests that hell has been purged of its evil and sanctity restored.

Analysis Many readers have pondered the significance of Grendel and his mother—whether they are part of the same evil force or represent two separate ideas.

Despite his urgings that Beowulf return to Denmark soon, Hrothgar knows that he will never see Beowulf again.

Despite his urgings that Beowulf return to Denmark soon, Hrothgar knows that he will never see Beowulf again.

Hrothgar then promises to shower Beowulf with treasure the following morning.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

Sure that their champion is lost, they return to Heorot in sorrow.

Earlier, after Grendel’s defeat, there are frequent suggestions, even amid the celebration, that the evil that Grendel represents has not been stamped out.

The reader already has been prepared for Beowulf’s superhuman swimming abilities by the earlier story of the contest with Breca.

On land, the Danes lose hope when they see blood well up from the depths.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

She drags Beowulf to her court, while a mass of sea-monsters claws and bites at him.

She drags Beowulf to her court, while a mass of sea-monsters claws and bites at him.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

He spies Grendel’s corpse lying in a corner.

Because light bears the implication of Christian holiness and salvation, with these words, the poet suggests that hell has been purged of its evil and sanctity restored.

Beowulf seizes the huge sword and swings it in a powerful arc.

As he nears the murky lake floor, Grendel’s mother senses his approach.

In particular, Beowulf receives earnest advice from Hrothgar, by now a father-figure, about how to comport himself both as a man and as a ruler.

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

A light appears, and Beowulf looks around, his sword held high in readiness.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

Earlier, after Grendel’s defeat, there are frequent suggestions, even amid the celebration, that the evil that Grendel represents has not been stamped out.

Imagery of darkness and light is important in this underwater world.

He delivers a long speech about how to be a good and wise ruler by choosing eternal rather than earthly rewards.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf’s goodness, evenness, and loyalty, contrasts him with the evil King Heremod, and predicts a great future for him.

As he nears the murky lake floor, Grendel’s mother senses his approach.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

Afterward, Beowulf retires to get some much-needed rest.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

As he nears the murky lake floor, Grendel’s mother senses his approach.

Back in the monster’s court, the blade of the giant’s sword begins to melt, burned by Grendel’s fiery blood.

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

On the other hand, there is less theological language attached to her malice than to Grendel’s.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

For example, her attack on Heorot is even appropriate and honorable by the standards of the warrior culture, as it marks an attempt to avenge her son’s death.

On the other hand, there is less theological language attached to her malice than to Grendel’s.

For example, her attack on Heorot is even appropriate and honorable by the standards of the warrior culture, as it marks an attempt to avenge her son’s death.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

He delivers a long speech about how to be a good and wise ruler by choosing eternal rather than earthly rewards.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

On land, the Danes lose hope when they see blood well up from the depths.

Despite his urgings that Beowulf return to Denmark soon, Hrothgar knows that he will never see Beowulf again.

Only the small band of Geats, Beowulf’s kinsmen, waits on.

The first glimmer of light that he sees signifies his arrival at the very heart and hearth of this den of terror.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

She seems to be more unambiguously animalistic and less a symbol of pure evil than he is.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

He spies Grendel’s corpse lying in a corner.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

Beowulf seizes the huge sword and swings it in a powerful arc.

She seems to be more unambiguously animalistic and less a symbol of pure evil than he is.

The advantage of fighting on familiar terrain within the boundaries of human society—an advantage that Beowulf enjoys in his encounter against Grendel—is now lost.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

Back in the monster’s court, the blade of the giant’s sword begins to melt, burned by Grendel’s fiery blood.

He spies Grendel’s corpse lying in a corner.

Beowulf seizes its hilt, which remains solid and, grasping Grendel’s head in his other hand, swims for the surface.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

He presents Beowulf with twelve treasures.

Afterward, Beowulf retires to get some much-needed rest.

She drags Beowulf to her court, while a mass of sea-monsters claws and bites at him.

Because light bears the implication of Christian holiness and salvation, with these words, the poet suggests that hell has been purged of its evil and sanctity restored.

Earlier, after Grendel’s defeat, there are frequent suggestions, even amid the celebration, that the evil that Grendel represents has not been stamped out.

Once he defeats Grendel’s mother, her lair is illuminated more thoroughly: “A light appeared and the place brightened / the way the sky does when heaven’s candle / is shining clearly” (1570–1572).

The reader already has been prepared for Beowulf’s superhuman swimming abilities by the earlier story of the contest with Breca.

When he breaks the surface, the Geats are overjoyed as they advance to meet him and unfasten his armor.

That the remaining threat proves instead to be the monster’s mother suggests, perhaps, that although an instance of evil has been eliminated with Grendel, the evil must still be eradicated at its source—Grendel’s mother might be thought of as representing a more foundational or primordial evil than Grendel himself.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

It is an elemental world of water, fire, and blood, and one with an extremely unholy feel to it.

Only the small band of Geats, Beowulf’s kinsmen, waits on.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

Hrothgar then promises to shower Beowulf with treasure the following morning.

Hrothgar then promises to shower Beowulf with treasure the following morning.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

On the other hand, there is less theological language attached to her malice than to Grendel’s.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

Afterward, Beowulf retires to get some much-needed rest.

Four men impale the heavy head of Grendel on a spear and lug it between them.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

Imagery of darkness and light is important in this underwater world.

For example, her attack on Heorot is even appropriate and honorable by the standards of the warrior culture, as it marks an attempt to avenge her son’s death.

The group returns to Heorot in triumph.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

The Geats return to the coast, where they grant a reward to the watchman who has guarded their ship.

Beowulf tries to fight the sea-witch using only his bare hands, but she matches him blow for blow.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

That the remaining threat proves instead to be the monster’s mother suggests, perhaps, that although an instance of evil has been eliminated with Grendel, the evil must still be eradicated at its source—Grendel’s mother might be thought of as representing a more foundational or primordial evil than Grendel himself.

For example, her attack on Heorot is even appropriate and honorable by the standards of the warrior culture, as it marks an attempt to avenge her son’s death.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf’s goodness, evenness, and loyalty, contrasts him with the evil King Heremod, and predicts a great future for him.

When he breaks the surface, the Geats are overjoyed as they advance to meet him and unfasten his armor.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

Back in the monster’s court, the blade of the giant’s sword begins to melt, burned by Grendel’s fiery blood.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf again, saying that he has united the Geats and the Danes in ties of friendship and loyalty.

Beowulf wields Hrunting, the sword lent to him by Unferth, and lashes at Grendel’s mother’s head, but even the celebrated blade of Hrunting is unable to pierce the monster’s skin.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

At last, he notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.

Additionally, it seems clear that by the time Beowulf gets back onto land, he has undergone a sort of rebirth, a transition from a brave but somewhat reckless warrior into a wise and steadfast leader.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

Four men impale the heavy head of Grendel on a spear and lug it between them.

Beowulf swims downward for the better part of a day before he sees the bottom.

Analysis Many readers have pondered the significance of Grendel and his mother—whether they are part of the same evil force or represent two separate ideas.

A light appears, and Beowulf looks around, his sword held high in readiness.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

On land, the Danes lose hope when they see blood well up from the depths.

Because light bears the implication of Christian holiness and salvation, with these words, the poet suggests that hell has been purged of its evil and sanctity restored.

It is an elemental world of water, fire, and blood, and one with an extremely unholy feel to it.

In particular, Beowulf receives earnest advice from Hrothgar, by now a father-figure, about how to comport himself both as a man and as a ruler.

It teems with blood and gore, as well as with unsavory creatures of all descriptions.

The blade slices cleanly through the Grendel’s mother’s neck, and she falls dead to the floor, gushing with blood.

Afterward, Beowulf retires to get some much-needed rest.

It is an elemental world of water, fire, and blood, and one with an extremely unholy feel to it.

A light appears, and Beowulf looks around, his sword held high in readiness.

These hints may lead the reader to suspect that Grendel himself is still alive—though Beowulf rips his arm off, we never actually see Grendel die, and Beowulf regrets letting him get away.

Hrothgar praises Beowulf again, saying that he has united the Geats and the Danes in ties of friendship and loyalty.

Sure that their champion is lost, they return to Heorot in sorrow.

The advantage of fighting on familiar terrain within the boundaries of human society—an advantage that Beowulf enjoys in his encounter against Grendel—is now lost.

The reader already has been prepared for Beowulf’s superhuman swimming abilities by the earlier story of the contest with Breca.

Indeed, the remainder of this section is dominated by elaborate formal oratory detailing the characteristics of successful participation in society.

A light appears, and Beowulf looks around, his sword held high in readiness.

As he nears the murky lake floor, Grendel’s mother senses his approach.

This second encounter prompts a change of scene in the poem, drawing the hero out of the safety of the mead-hall and into the dark, alien, suggestive world of his adversaries.

Furious at the sight of the fiend, he decapitates Grendel as a final repayment for all of the lives that Grendel took.

He finds that the waters he passes through are no longer infested now that the demon has been destroyed.

That the remaining threat proves instead to be the monster’s mother suggests, perhaps, that although an instance of evil has been eliminated with Grendel, the evil must still be eradicated at its source—Grendel’s mother might be thought of as representing a more foundational or primordial evil than Grendel himself.