What happens in the first part of Beowulf?
The first part of the epic poem Beowulf, which works out to be the first 1007 lines, deals mainly with the battle between Beowulf and the monster Grendel. Though he is descended from the first king of Denmark and was a mighty warrior in his day, he is unable to deal with the monster that stalks his land.
What happens in the first two chapters of Beowulf?
Chapter 1: We meet King Hrothgar (the victim) and Grendel (the monster). Chapter 2: Grendel attacks the Danes when they’re sleeping. He murders thirty men at once and then keeps coming back at night for 12 years. Chapter 3: Beowulf brings 13 men across the sea to defeat Grendel.
What happens in the second part of Beowulf?
The second part of Beowulf picks up after the first part ends, around line 1008 and extends through to about line 1924 or so. The fiend Grendel has been defeated, his arm and claw hang in the rafters of Heorot as proof and as a trophy, and Beowulf is being celebrated as the hero he is.
What lessons does Beowulf teach?
The moral of Beowulf is that it is better to die young with heroism and virtue than to grow to a ripe old age being cowardly and avoiding your responsibilities. Beowulf shows great courage and fortitude as he protects the community by fighting Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon Wiglaf.
What is the setting of the first part of the epic Beowulf?
Where does Beowulf take place? Beowulf takes place in early 6th-century Scandinavia, primarily in what is known today as Denmark and Sweden.
What is the summary of Beowulf?
Beowulf Summary. The poem begins with a brief genealogy of the Danes. Scyld Shefing was the first great king of the Danes, known for his ability to conquer enemies. Scyld becomes the great-grandfather of Hrothgar , the king of the Danes during the events of Beowulf. Hrothgar, like his ancestors before him, is a good king,…
What do you need to know about the epic poem ‘Beowulf’?
Origins of ‘Beowulf’ Little is known about this famous epic poem’s origins,unfortunately.
Is Beowulf an epic poem?
Beowulf is considered an epic poem in that the main character is a hero who travels great distances to prove his strength at impossible odds against supernatural demons and beasts. The poem also begins in medias res or simply, in the middle of things, which is a characteristic of the epics of antiquity.
Is Beowulf a poem or novel?
Written between the 8th and 11th century, “Beowulf” is the oldest known poem written in Old English. The poem is a prime example of a literary epic, focusing on the heroic quest of its title character, Beowulf, a Scandinavian warrior.