Beowulf is a poem dating from between 700 and 1050 AD. The author is unknown, but it was probably written by a monk (monks and scholars were among the few people who were able to read and write in those days). It is written in Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons who settled in England in the 5th century AD. The epic poem tells the story of a Norse, or Viking, warrior, Beowulf, who fought and defeated several monsters that had been terrorizing the Viking homeland of Scandinavia. The long poem, known as an epic, celebrates the fighting spirit of the Norse warriors, their courage, loyalty and sense of honour.

Beowulf and Grendel

The Beowulf story is in two parts. The action in the first part takes place in Denmark, ruled by King Hrothgar. Beowulf, a great warrior from the Geat tribe of Sweden, comes to help the king destroy a monster, called Grendel. The monster, who cannot be harmed by the weapons of humans, has seized and killed a number of Hrothgar’s warriors from the king’s assembly hall, Heorot. Tales of the monster’s dreadful deeds spread terror throughout the land. Hearing of this, Beowulf decides to sail to Denmark and offer his help. In a mighty struggle with Grendel, Beowulf manages to wrench off the monster’s arm. The monster staggers back to his cave to die. But Grendel’s mother now seeks revenge for her son’s death. Beowulf eventually triumphs over her, too, beheading her with her own sword.

Beowulf and the dragon

The second part of the epic poem tells how Beowulf, now King of Sweden, but an old man, rids his country of a fearsome dragon. The dragon has been protecting treasure buried in a cave some hundreds of years earlier. One day, a slave finds the cave and steals a golden cup from the hoard. The dragon notices the missing cup, and in a rage, immediately takes to the air to punish the local people for the theft. It flies over their villages, setting homes ablaze by breathing fire on them. Beowulf decides to fight the dragon alone, but soon discovers that his shield will not protect him against the dragon's fiery breath. Suddenly, Wiglaf, Beowulf's young kinsman (a relative), rushes to his aid. Beowulf slays the dragon but is fatally wounded in the battle and dies.