The storyThe story of Beowulf is quite simple and straightforward. It is a tale about heroes, monsters, fights, deaths and most of all bravery and loyalty.
The main character is Beowulf, our hero, who is a Prince from Sweden. At the beginning of the story he is looking for an adventure in order to show his skills as a warrior and his bravery. He finds his challenge at the court of King Hrothgar of Denmark. The Danes are plagued by a monster, Grendel, who keeps terrorising and killing people. Neither Hrothgar, nor any other Dane, have been able to overcome the monster. Beowulf decides to stay the night in the great Mead Hall and keep vigilance, because the monster is likely to put in an appearance at the Great Hall at night when everybody is asleep. Indeed, the monster comes and Beowulf fights it. In the course of the fight Beowulf rips off Grendel's arm and Grendel then flees the scene, mortally wounded. However, the problen is not solved yet. The next night Grendel's mother appears to avenge her child. She takes one of the warriors of the King. Beowulf, like a good hero, follows her into her cave. A terrible fight follows and this time Beowulf is in more trouble. He manages to win this fight too with the help of a magical sword het finds in the cave. Beowulf cuts off her head and returns to the Great Hall. He is hailed as a hero and then returns home. The second part of the story takes place many years later. Beowulf is now a king himself in his own country, Sweden. He has reigned for more than 50 years and is growing old. A large treasure, guarded over by a dragon, has been stolen while the dragon was asleep. The dragon is now bent on revenge and has started to destroy the kingdom. Once more, Beowulf has to fight a monster in order to keep his people safe. In this second part it is clearly noticeable that Beowulf has grown old and he has much more trouble fighting the monster than in his youth. He is accompanied by his men who are supposed to stand by him no matter what the cost. His men, however, desert him. Only Wiglaf remains by Beowulf's side and helps him overcome the dragon. In the end they prevail but the cost is high. Beowulf has been mortally wounded and dies.
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