The Story
Geatish hero who defeats Grendel and Grendel's mother, later becomes king and dies fighting a dragon.
Beowulf
The Geatish hero who defeats Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon; becomes king and dies in his final battle.
The Life and Death of Scyld
Son of Scyld; sent by God to solace the people; his fame spread widely among the Danes.
II: Scyld’s Successors—Hrothgar’s Great Mead-Hall
Mentioned as the bairn of the Scyldings, a beloved land-prince famed among the folk.
IV: Beowulf Goes to Hrothgar’s Assistance
The Geatish hero who hears of Grendel's ravages and resolves to sail to Hrothgar's aid, selecting fourteen warriors for the journey.
The Geats Reach Heorot
Leader of the Geats, speaks to the coastguard, declares his lineage and mission to help Hrothgar against Grendel.
VI: Beowulf Introduces Himself at the Palace
Introduces himself as a thane of Higelac and requests an audience with Hrothgar.
Hrothgar and Beowulf
Introduces himself as Higelac's kinsman, recounts past deeds, and vows to fight Grendel without weapons.
Hrothgar and Beowulf—Continued
Beowulf is addressed by Hrothgar and encouraged to show his heroism at the feast.
IX: Unferth Taunts Beowulf
Defends his honor by recounting the swimming contest with Breca and his victory over sea monsters.
X: Beowulf Silences Unferth—Glee Is High
Silences Unferth with his tale of sea-monsters, rebukes Unferth for fratricide, and vows to defeat Grendel.
XI: All Sleep Save One
Removes armor, entrusts his sword to a henchman, and declares he will fight Grendel without weapons, trusting in God's judgment.
XII: Grendel and Beowulf
Lies in wait for Grendel, seizes him in a hand-grip, and tears off his arm, fulfilling his boast to Hrothgar.
Grendel Is Vanquished
The Geatish hero who defeats Grendel by tearing off his arm, fulfilling his boast and cleansing Heorot.
Rejoicing of the Danes
Praised by many as the greatest warrior and most worthy to govern, compared favorably to Sigmund and Heremod.
Hrothgar's Gratitude
Responds to Hrothgar, describing the fight and Grendel's hand left behind.
XVI: Hrothgar Lavishes Gifts Upon His Deliverer
Receives lavish gifts from Hrothgar, including a golden standard, helmet, byrnie, and eight horses, as reward for defeating Grendel.
XVII: Banquet (Continued)—The Scop’s Song of Finn and Hnaef
Beowulf is the hero whose men receive gifts; his fate is credited with averting further slaughter by Grendel.
XVIII: The Finn Episode (Continued)—The Banquet Continues
Sits between Hrethric and Hrothmund, praised by Wealhtheow as a battle-brave hero.
XIX: Beowulf Receives Further Honor
Receives a beaker, twisted gold, arm-jewels, rings, corslet, and a great collar; praised by Wealhtheow and urged to be kind to her sons.
XX: The Mother of Grendel
The Geatish hero who was absent during the attack but is summoned afterward.
XXI: Hrothgar’s Account of the Monsters
Implored by Hrothgar to confront Grendel's mother and avenge Aeschere's death.
XXII: Beowulf Seeks Grendel’s Mother
Speaks wisely to Hrothgar, urging action over grief; tracks Grendel's mother; kills a sea-monster; prepares to dive into the mere.
XXIII: Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel’s Mother
Speaks to Hrothgar before diving, fights Grendel's mother in her lair, relies on strength and divine aid.
XXIV: Beowulf Is Double-Conqueror
Finds and wields the giant sword, kills Grendel's mother, beheads Grendel, and returns triumphantly to Heorot with the head and sword hilt.
XXV: Beowulf Brings His Trophies—Hrothgar's Gratitude
Presents the sword-hilt to Hrothgar and recounts his underwater battle, attributing his success to God's guidance.
XXVI: Hrothgar Moralizes—Rest After Labor
Listens to Hrothgar's counsel, feasts, rests, and prepares to depart, returning Hrunting to Unferth with thanks.
XXVII: Sorrow at Parting
Announces his departure to seek King Higelac, offers future aid to Hrothgar, and is praised for his wisdom and strength.
XXVIII: The Homeward Journey—The Two Queens
Returns to Geatland with treasures from Hrothgar, greeted by the land-warden.
Beowulf and Higelac
Returns to Geatland and reports to Higelac about his journey and battle with Grendel.
XXX: Beowulf Narrates His Adventures to Higelac
Narrates his adventures to Higelac, recounting his battles with Grendel and Grendel's mother.
Gift-Giving Is Mutual
Returns to Higelac, presents Hrothgar's gifts, recounts his deeds, and is honored with lands and treasures.
XXXII: The Hoard and the Dragon
Referenced as the 'giver-of-gold' to whom the dragon's attack will be grievous.
XXXIII: Brave Though Aged—Reminiscences
Aged king who resolves to fight the dragon alone, recalling past deeds and preparing for his final battle.
XXXIV: Beowulf Seeks the Dragon—Beowulf’s Reminiscences
The aged king of the Geats, preparing to fight the dragon and reminiscing about his youth and past battles.
XXXV: Reminiscences (Continued)—Beowulf’s Last Battle
Recounts past feuds and battles, prepares for his final fight against the dragon, insists on fighting alone.
XXXVI: Wiglaf the Trusty—Beowulf Is Deserted by Friends and by Sword
The aged king fighting the dragon; his sword Naegling shatters in battle, and he is severely wounded.
XXXVII: The Fatal Struggle—Beowulf’s Last Moments
Mortally wounded by the dragon, he reflects on his fifty-year reign and his integrity, then asks to see the treasure before death.
XXXVIII: Wiglaf Plunders the Dragon’s Den—Beowulf’s Death
Mortally wounded, gives thanks for treasure, commands his barrow, and bestows his armor on Wiglaf before dying.
XXXIX: The Dead Foes—Wiglaf’s Bitter Taunts
Lies dead after his battle with the dragon; his life is ended and his treasure is paid for with death.
XL: The Messenger of Death
Reported dead, lying in death-bed after fighting the dragon.
The Messenger's Retrospect
The deceased Geatish king, whose lifeless body is seen on the sand, having died from the dragon's attack.
XLII: Wiglaf’s Sad Story—The Hoard Carried Off
Beowulf is deceased; his final words and wishes are relayed by Wiglaf, and his body is carried to Whale's-Ness.
XLIII: The Burning of Beowulf
The deceased king, laid on the pyre and mourned by his people.
