Summary of Beowulf

King Hrothgar of Daneland builds the mead hall Heorot, which incurs the jealousy of the monster Grendel. For 12 years, Grendel attacks Heorot, devouring Hrothgar's men. Hearing of this, Beowulf, a Geat warrior, sails to Daneland with 14 companions to defeat Grendel and aid Hrothgar.

Hrothgar welcomes Beowulf, who promises to fight Grendel unarmed. That night, Beowulf waits for Grendel. When Grendel attacks, Beowulf engages him in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle, tearing off Grendel's arm. Grendel retreats to his lair, mortally wounded. The Danes celebrate, and Hrothgar gifts Beowulf.

Grendel's mother, filled with rage over her son's death, attacks Heorot the next night, killing Hrothgar's advisor. Beowulf journeys to her underwater lair, fights her in a desperate struggle, and kills her. He returns in triumph, bringing Grendel's head, and receives more treasures from Hrothgar before sailing home.

Fifty years later, Beowulf is king of the Geats. When a slave steals from a dragon's treasure hoard, the dragon retaliates against the Geats. Beowulf, now elderly, fights and kills the dragon but is fatally wounded in the process.

Fatally wounded, Beowulf's last thoughts are of the treasure for his people. The Geats mourn their king, building a great funeral pyre and a memorial barrow visible from afar to honor his memory. The poem concludes with a tribute to Beowulf's bravery, gentleness, goodness, and generosity.