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Beowulf · Chapter

Hrothgar's Gratitude explained

Hrothgar gives thanks to God for Grendel's defeat and praises Beowulf as a son, promising him treasures and love.

What happens

Hrothgar gives thanks to God for Grendel's defeat and praises Beowulf as a son, promising him treasures and love. Beowulf recounts the fight and Grendel's hand displayed in Heorot, while Unferth falls silent.

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Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Wiglaf’s bitter t…

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Themes in this chapter

  • Heroism and Valor

    Beowulf's recounting of the fight and Hrothgar's praise highlight his heroic deeds and courage.

  • Fate and Divine Providence

    Hrothgar thanks God for the victory, and Beowulf acknowledges that God's will prevented Grendel's full capture.

  • Good versus Evil

    Grendel is described as a hated destroyer and foe, while Beowulf is the agent of good who defeats him.

Characters to notice

  • Hrothgar

    Delivers a speech of gratitude, praises Beowulf, and promises to love him as a son.

  • Beowulf

    Responds to Hrothgar, describing the fight and Grendel's hand left behind.

  • Unferth

    Remains silent after seeing Grendel's hand, ceasing his boasting.

  • Grendel

    His severed hand is displayed in Heorot as proof of his defeat.

  • Ecgtheow

    Mentioned as Beowulf's father in the patronymic 'Ecgtheow's offspring'.

Key passages

  • “For the sight we behold now, thanks to the Wielder Early be offered!”

    Let us offer thanks to God for what we see now.

    Hrothgar begins his speech by giving thanks to God for Grendel's defeat.

  • “Now, Beowulf dear, Most excellent hero, I'll love thee in spirit As bairn of my body; bear well henceforward The relationship new.”

    I will love you, Beowulf, as if you were my own son, and may you uphold this new bond.

    Hrothgar adopts Beowulf as a symbolic son, promising him affection and support.

  • “Then the soldier kept silent, son of old Ecglaf, From boasting and bragging of battle-achievements.”

    Then Unferth, Ecglaf's son, stopped his boasting about his own deeds.

    Unferth falls silent after seeing Grendel's hand, humbled by Beowulf's feat.

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