Characters

Beowulf

Beowulf is the eponymous character of the Old English epic poem Beowulf. Hailing from Geatland in Sweden, he proceeds to Denmark to help Hrothgar, the king of Denmark, who is attacked in his mead hall by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf slays Grendel and his mother, a notably powerful woman. The victorious Beowulf returns to his homeland and is crowned the king. He rules Geatland for fifty years before his kingdom is attacked by a dragon. Though old by now, Beowulf succeeds in killing the dragon, but is fatally wounded in the fight.

Hrothgar

Hrothgar, or King Hrothgar, is the King of Denmark in the poem Beowulf. He has a Heorot, a mead hall, which is the seat of his rule and the site where his warriors assemble for evening revelry. Awakened by the revelry, Grendel, a monster, attacks Hrothgar’s Heorot. Beowulf, whose father was once helped by Hrothgar, comes to Denmark, and slays Grendel in a fight. Hrothgar then acts as Beowulf’s godfather and helps him become King of Geatland.

Wealhtheow

Wealhtheow is the Queen of Denmark by virtue of being Hrothgar’s wife.

Grendel

Grendel, the monster terrorizing Denmark, is the poem’s chief antagonist and is said to be a descendent of the Biblical character Cain. Unable to tolerate the ruckus caused by the revelry in King Hrothgar’s Heorot, he attacks the place every night for twelve years. He kills Hrothgar’s warriors and devours them. He is described as “a creature of darkness, exiled from happiness and accursed of God, the destroyer and devourer of our humankind.” Beowulf finds out about Grendel’s attacks and travels to Denmark to fight him. He trusts that God has given him the power to fight Grendel and tears off Grendel’s arm without the aid of a weapon. Grendel dies in his marsh den, as Beowulf retains Grendel’s severed head as a trophy.

Grendel’s mother

Grendel’s mother, also a descendant of Cain, is one of three antagonists in Beowulf. She is not given a name in the poem and is just called Grendel’s mother. She is, however, described as a “water witch.” After her son Grendel is slayed, she attacks Hrothgar’s Heorot seeking revenge. Beowulf engages her in a fierce combat in her cave, which is located under a lake. He kills her with an ancient sword he finds in the cave. Some critics regard her as a heroic mother for trying to avenge her son’s killing.

The Dragon

The Dragon is the third antagonist in Beowulf. It is the first example of a fire-breathing dragon in English literature. Unlike the other two antagonists, the Dragon is not a descendant of Cain. Beowulf’s rule of Geatland is peaceful and prosperous for fifty years, before a thief steals a cup from the Dragon’s lair. Angered by this, the Dragon burns down homes and vast stretches of Geatland. As the protector of the Geats, Beowulf confronts the Dragon all by himself and is mortally wounded, though he does manage to slay the Dragon.

Shield Sheafson

King Shield Sheafson is the founder of a long line of highly regarded Danish kings. King Hrothgar is a descendent of King Sheafson. Sheafson was orphaned and abandoned as a child before becoming a warrior-king. The Danes accord him mythical status.

Beow

Beow is Shield Sheafson’s son and a highly regarded Danish king.

Halfdane

Halfdane succeeds Beow as the king of Denmark. He is also Hrothgar’s father.

Unferth

Unferth is one of King Hrothgar’s servants. He is envious of Beowulf because Beowulf has offered to fight Grendel. He even belittles Beowulf at a feast organized in honor of Beowulf by Hrothgar. In particular, Unferth questions Beowulf’s ability as a swimmer. Beowulf, however, succeeds in silencing Unferth.

Hrethric

Hrethric is King Hrothgar’s elder son and heir to the throne of Denmark. Hrethric’s inheritance, however, is challenged by Hrothulf, his older cousin. In a bid to enhance Hrethric’s prospects of becoming the king, Beowulf hosts him in Geatland and offers him guidance.

Hrothmund

Hrothmund is King Hrothgar’s second son.

Hrothulf

Hrothulf is Hrothgar’s nephew and Hrethric’s older cousin. He stakes claim to the throne of Denmark, desiring to succeed Hrothgar.

Aeschere

Aeschere is Hrothgar’s most trusted advisor. He is attacked and killed by Grendel’s mother after she finds out about Grendel’s slaying.

Hygelac

Hygelac is Beowulf’s mother’s brother. As the king of the Geats, he rewards Beowulf for his accomplishments in Denmark.

Hygd

Hygd is Hygelac’s wife and Beowulf’s aunt. She plays foil to Queen Modthryth when she hosts Beowulf upon his return to Geatland, having slayed Grendel and his mother. She is wise and courteous and offers Beowulf the throne instead of to her son, who she feels is too young for the throne.

Wiglaf

Wiglaf is Beowulf’s relative and one of his servants. Notably, he is the only person who helps Beowulf when he enters the Dragon’s lair to fight it. He adheres to the heroic code of comitatus and becomes eligible to succeed Beowulf.

Ecgtheow

Ecgtheow is Beowulf’s father. A renowned battle-leader, he was married to King Hrethel’s daughter. King Hrothgar rescues Ecgtheow by paying the price demanded for him in a blood feud. Thus, Beowulf, as Ecgtheow’s son, feels indebted to Hrothgar.

King Hrethel

King Hrethel is Beowulf’s maternal grandfather. He takes the seven-year-old Beowulf under his wings in accordance with the Anglo-Saxon practice of fostering children to establish close ties between families. Hrethel dies in grief when he finds out that his elder son was killed in a hunting accident.

Breca

Breca, a member of the Bronding tribe, is Beowulf’s childhood friend. He defeats Beowulf in a swimming duel, an incident Unferth brings up during a feast to defame Beowulf. However, Beowulf defends himself saying he had to slay several monsters before taking part in the duel.

Sigemund

Sigemund is a mythical figure famous for having slayed a dragon. He is also the only one who can free a magical sword if it is stuck in a tree. The tale of Sigemund is narrated to Beowulf and is featured within a story that is part of the epic poem Beowulf.

King Heremond

King Heremond is a legendary Danish king and the father of Scyld, who is well-known as the founder of a reputable dynasty of Danish kings. Heremond also has the dubious distinction of being banished by his subjects.

Queen Modthryth

Queen Modthryth is the wife of King Offa. In stark contrast to Queen Hygd, Modthryth is presented as a rather wicked queen. However, she becomes a kind, gracious woman after her marriage to King Offa.