# Grendel — Beowulf character guide > Grendel in Beowulf by Anonymous. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hrothgar Grendel **First appearance:** 0005-iii-grendel-the-murderer ## Snapshot A fen-dwelling outcast descended from Cain, he cannot bear the sound of joy in Heorot and comes by night to make the hall his hunting ground. ## Who they are 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 twelve winters, and no sword or wergild can reach him, which is precisely why Beowulf's bare-handed vow matters. His feud with the Danes drives the poem's first movement and gives the hero his defining contest. ## Relationships ### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf) _rivalry_ Beowulf is the heroic warrior who fights and defeats the monstrous Grendel in hand-to-hand combat. ### [Hrothgar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothgar) _rivalry_ Grendel is a murderous monster who terrorizes Hrothgar's hall, Heorot, killing his men for years. ### [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow) _rivalry_ Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, is mentioned in the context of past feuds that indirectly involve Grendel's lineage. ### [Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/higelac) _rivalry_ Grendel is an enemy of the Geatish people, including their king Higelac, due to his attacks on Danes and Geats. ### [Aeschere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/aeschere) _rivalry_ Aeschere, Hrothgar's trusted counselor, is killed by Grendel's mother, deepening the feud with Grendel's kin. ### [Healfdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/healfdene) _rivalry_ Grendel's attacks on Heorot began during Healfdene's reign, making him an ancestral enemy of the Danish royal line. ### [Ecglaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecglaf) _rivalry_ Ecglaf's son Unferth is a Danish warrior who fails to stop Grendel, linking Ecglaf's family to Grendel's menace. ### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf) _rivalry_ Beowulf is the heroic warrior who fights and defeats the monstrous Grendel in hand-to-hand combat. ### [Hrothgar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothgar) _rivalry_ Grendel is a murderous monster who terrorizes Hrothgar's hall, Heorot, killing his men for years. ### [Healfdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/healfdene) _rivalry_ Grendel's attacks on Heorot began during Healfdene's reign, making him an ancestral enemy of the Danish royal line. ### [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow) _rivalry_ Ecgtheow, Beowulf's father, is mentioned in the context of past feuds that indirectly involve Grendel's lineage. ### [Aeschere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/aeschere) _rivalry_ Aeschere, Hrothgar's trusted counselor, is killed by Grendel's mother, deepening the feud with Grendel's kin. ## In the story ### [The Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/the-story) Monster who attacks Heorot out of jealousy and is fatally wounded by Beowulf. ### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/beowulf) A monstrous descendant of Cain who terrorizes Heorot until Beowulf tears off his arm. ### [II: Scyld’s Successors—Hrothgar’s Great Mead-Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/ii-scyld-s-successors-hrothgar-s-great-mead-hall) The horrible stranger, a march-stepper dwelling in moor-fens, who begins to dog the warriors with malice in Heorot. ### [Grendel the Murderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/iii-grendel-the-murderer) The monster of evil who attacks Heorot, killing thirty thanemen and continuing his raids for twelve winters. ### [XI: All Sleep Save One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xi-all-sleep-save-one) The traveller-at-twilight approaching Heorot as the warriors sleep. ### [XII: Grendel and Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xii-grendel-and-beowulf) Enters Heorot intending to devour the thanes, but is overpowered by Beowulf's grip and flees, leaving his arm behind. ### [Grendel Is Vanquished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xiii-grendel-is-vanquished) The demonic monster who suffers a mortal wound from Beowulf and flees to the fen-cliffs to die. ### [Hrothgar's Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xv-hrothgar-s-gratitude) His severed hand is displayed in Heorot as proof of his defeat. ### [XVII: Banquet (Continued)—The Scop’s Song of Finn and Hnaef](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xvii-banquet-continued-the-scop-s-song-of-finn-and-hnaef) Grendel is referenced as the monster who had wickedly slaughtered men before being thwarted by fate and Beowulf. ### [XX: The Mother of Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xx-the-mother-of-grendel) The slain monster whose mother now seeks vengeance. ### [XXI: Hrothgar’s Account of the Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxi-hrothgar-s-account-of-the-monsters) Mentioned as the monster killed by Beowulf, whose mother now seeks revenge. ### [XXIV: Beowulf Is Double-Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiv-beowulf-is-double-conqueror) Already dead from the earlier fight, his head is severed by Beowulf and brought to Heorot. ### [XXV: Beowulf Brings His Trophies—Hrothgar's Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxv-beowulf-brings-his-trophies-hrothgar-s-gratitude) Referenced as one of the fiends killed by Beowulf, whose fall is part of the sword's history. ### [Beowulf and Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxix-beowulf-and-higelac) The monster Beowulf fought and avenged against. ### [XXX: Beowulf Narrates His Adventures to Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxx-beowulf-narrates-his-adventures-to-higelac) Beowulf describes Grendel's attack on Heorot and their fight. ### [XXXIII: Brave Though Aged—Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxiii-brave-though-aged-reminiscences) Mentioned as part of the 'kindred detested' that Beowulf conquered in Hrothgar's hall. ### [XXXV: Reminiscences (Continued)—Beowulf’s Last Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxv-reminiscences-continued-beowulf-s-last-battle) Referenced by Beowulf as a past monster he fought without a blade. ### [XXXIX: The Dead Foes—Wiglaf’s Bitter Taunts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxix-the-dead-foes-wiglaf-s-bitter-taunts) Not present in this chapter; no mention. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters