Beowulf is an Old English epic poem and was written around 1,000 A.D. The Anglo-Saxon poem covers a variety of historical
events, as well as legends, that occurred in Scandinavia during the Sixth century. It is considered the oldest European epic.
The story begins in Denmark with the scene at King Hrothgar's court.
To Hrothgar's misfortune, the monstor named Grendal, has entered the great Mead Hall of Hrothgar and has devoured up to thirty soldiers, nightly. Most fortunately, the young Beowulf, (a prince from Geats located in the southern portion of Sweden) arrives to help Hrothgar.
Beowulf fights with the enormous monstor (known as Grendel) and in in the process extracts the "beast's" arm. As a result of Beowulf's act, Grendel runs away to his den and it is there he dies.
Next, on the night thereafter, Grendel's mother, (a waterhog), comes on the scene to avenge the death of her son. In so doing, Grendel's mother is able to consume yet one other soldier.
Beowulf then follows the waterhog to the sea's bottom where a most horrific fight ensues. During the course of this fight, Beowulf manages to kill Grendel's mother and decapitates the corpse of Grendel.
The Danes hear of this conflict and the victory of Beowulf and are quite joyous.
There is much celebration within Mead Hall and the Danes, additionally, recall past deeds of heroism.
In the end, the hero, Beowulf, returns to his own people along with gifts of appreciation.
Later on, Beowulf is crowned the King of the Geats and reigns for fifty years until which time a powerful dragon arrives to destroy the countryside.
Beowulf, now up in years, along with some companions set about to destroy the beast.
Once Beowulf's eleven companions "lay their eyes" on the enormous fire-breathing dragon, they run away in fear-that is, all of them except for Wiglaf, a companion most loyal to Beowulf.
Thus, Beowulf, (of course, no longer a young man), takes charge and slays the dragon. Most unfortunate, however, is the fact that although Beowulf is able to overcome the mighty dragon, he is mortally wounded during the fight.
Beowulf's people are most saddened by the news, and, subsequently, place the body of Beowulf on a large funeral pyre burying the ashes of Beowulf along with the treasure of the dragon.
This epic poem is written in the traditional Germanic alliterative-style meter wherein the associative heroism and customs of rustic Germanic civilization is depicted. However, it can be said that the epic also possesses the resigned spirit many times attributed to Christian thinking.