# Grendel's Mother — Beowulf character guide

> Grendel's Mother in Beowulf by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0022-xx-the-mother-of-grendel

## Snapshot

A vengeful mere-woman who drags Hrothgar's dearest thane from Heorot and lures Beowulf into her blood-welling lair beneath the cliffs.

## Who they are

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 once, precisely, and vanishes, leaving Aeschere's head on the cliff as a summons. Her ambush forces Hrothgar to admit that the old terror had a mother, and it turns Beowulf's second trial from hall-glory into a descent into a place no Dane dares follow.

## In the story

### [The Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/the-story)

Female monster who avenges her son's death and is slain by Beowulf.

### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/beowulf)

A vengeful creature who attacks Heorot after her son's death and is slain by Beowulf in her lair.

### [XX: The Mother of Grendel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xx-the-mother-of-grendel)

Devil-shaped woman who attacks Heorot to avenge her son's death.

### [XXI: Hrothgar’s Account of the Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxi-hrothgar-s-account-of-the-monsters)

Described as the avenger who killed Aeschere and now lurks in the dangerous mere.

### [XXIII: Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel’s Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiii-beowulf-s-fight-with-grendel-s-mother)

The 'mighty mere-woman' who seizes Beowulf, fights him in her cavern, and attempts to avenge her son.

### [XXIV: Beowulf Is Double-Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxiv-beowulf-is-double-conqueror)

Killed by Beowulf with the giant sword; her poisonous blood causes the blade to melt.

### [XXV: Beowulf Brings His Trophies—Hrothgar's Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxv-beowulf-brings-his-trophies-hrothgar-s-gratitude)

Mentioned as also having been killed, with the sword-hilt passing to Hrothgar after her death.

### [XXVIII: The Homeward Journey—The Two Queens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxviii-the-homeward-journey-the-two-queens)

Queen Thrytho, initially cruel and murderous, later reformed after marriage to Offa.

### [XXX: Beowulf Narrates His Adventures to Higelac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxx-beowulf-narrates-his-adventures-to-higelac)

Beowulf tells of her vengeful attack and his underwater battle with her.

### [XXXIII: Brave Though Aged—Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxiii-brave-though-aged-reminiscences)

Implied in the reference to 'the kinsmen of Grendel' that Beowulf fought.

### [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/grendels_mother
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters