# Beowulf — Character guide

> Key figures in Beowulf by Anonymous.

- [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf.md): Beowulf arrives at Heorot as a young hero with fourteen companions, trading boasts and treasure-gifts for the chance to prove himself before Hrothgar. His defining tension is the heroic code itself: he must earn glory th
- [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel.md): Grendel is the shadow that falls over Hrothgar's golden hall: a creature of the moors and marshes, cut off from human fellowship and enraged by the harp and laughter he hears from Heorot. He kills thane after thane for t
- [Hrothgar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothgar.md): Hrothgar is a generous ring-giver and a once-mighty war-king whose hall was meant to hold joy and treasure forever; Grendel's nightly raids have left him helpless and grieving. His long speech on Beowulf's departure warn
- [Wiglaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wiglaf.md): Wiglaf is a kinsman of Beowulf and the one retainer who remembers the oaths sworn over mead, choosing to enter the barrow-fight when the rest of the troop hides in the wood. His loyalty is sharpened by shame: he rebukes 
- [Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/higelac.md): Higelac rules the Geats and is the political center of Beowulf's home world, the king whose favor the hero serves and whose feuds shape Geatish history. He is not a warrior of Beowulf's stature, and his reign is shadowed
- [Unferth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/unferth.md): Unferth is the Danish court's resident critic, a man whose fame rests on wit and lineage rather than monster-slaying, and he needles Beowulf with the story of a swimming contest he claims the Geat lost. The exchange expo
- [Grendel's Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendels_mother.md): She lives in the cold, gore-streaked waters beyond the wolf-slopes, a kin-avenger bound by the same grim code that drives Beowulf — except her feud is for her murdered son. Where Grendel raided out of envy, she strikes o
- [Scyld Scefing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/scyld.md): Legendary founder of the Danish royal line, whose funeral ship opens the poem.
- [Wealhtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wealhtheow.md): Queen of the Danes, wife of Hrothgar, who appears at feasts and gifts Beowulf.
- [Hrethel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrethel.md): Former king of the Geats and grandfather of Beowulf, mentioned in Beowulf's reminiscences.
- [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow.md): Beowulf's father, who once sought refuge with Hrothgar.
- [Aeschere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/aeschere.md): Hrothgar's trusted counselor, killed by Grendel's mother.
- [Wulfgar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wulfgar.md): Danish herald who announces Beowulf's arrival to Hrothgar.
- [Hrothulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothulf.md): Hrothgar's nephew, who later becomes king of the Danes.
- [Healfdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/healfdene.md): Father of Hrothgar and former Danish king.
- [Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/finn.md): Frisian king involved in a tragic feud with the Danes, recounted in a song.
- [Hengest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hengest.md): Danish warrior who stays with Finn after a battle and later avenges his lord.
- [Hnaef](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hnaef.md): Danish lord killed in the Finnsburg battle, uncle of Hengest.
- [Ongentheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ongentheow.md): Swedish king killed by the Geats in a battle recounted by the messenger.
- [Eofor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/eofor.md): Geatish warrior who slays King Ongentheow in battle.
- [Ohthere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ohthere.md): Son of Ongentheow and Swedish prince mentioned in the messenger's speech.
- [Wihstan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wihstan.md): Father of Wiglaf, a warrior of the Geats mentioned in the dragon fight.
- [Ecglaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecglaf.md): Father of Unferth, mentioned only in patronymic context.
- [Hrethric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrethric.md): Son of Hrothgar, mentioned as a young prince at the Danish court.
- [Heregar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/heregar.md): Older brother of Hrothgar, briefly mentioned as a former Danish king.
- [Heatholaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/heatholaf.md): Warrior of the Wylfings killed by Ecgtheow, causing the feud.
- [Sigmund](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/sigmund.md): Legendary hero whose story is sung by the scop at Heorot.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters