Week Twelve: Beowulf

I haven't read the story of Beowulf since high school! I decided to read this unit this week so that I could read it with new eyes. The huge amount of things I have learned since high school will continue to my clearer understanding of this story and I wanted to read a story this week that had some continuity from story to story.

King Gygelac of Geatsland
Long ago, there was a kingdom called Geatsland who had a ruler named Hyfelac. The Geats were very warlike, living in harsh terrain. They dealt with many monsters of the land and sea. The King and Queen of the land had valiant warriors among them who often told stories of their travels. These warriors told their stories to the younger men in the city and they listened with wide eyed eagerness.

The Young Beowulf 
One of the youths that listened to the many stories was a man named Beowulf, the nephew of the King. He had much strength and lived with his uncle. At times, his strength was too much and he broke everything he touched. When he was 16, Beowulf won a swimming race and swam for 5 days. One day, there was a feast thrown for Beowulf in the castle. Many of the lords were not happy that a man as young as Beowulf was being honored. Beowulf sat in gloomy silence and drank stonily as he longed to go to war.

The Wanderer's Song
The King waved his hand and the whole hall fell silent as a wander brought a song for them to hear from over land and sea. The mistrel walked to the front of the hall with his harp and began to sing of the North, of the forests, and of dragons. He sang of the grey sea and of monsters of the deep. The mistrel then sang of Hrothgar, King of the Danes and how a beast has struck fear into the hearts of those in Daneland. The monster was part man and part bird and called Grendel. None could slay Grendel.

Beowulf's Resolve
Beowulf was bewitched by the song. He wanted to seek out Grendel and slay him. He proclaimed this desire to the entirety of the hall and the lords began to murmur. The King charged him with killing Grendel in order to prove his worth. Beowulf finished his drink and received the King's embrace.

Beowulf's Journey
For a week, the kingdom prepared for Beowulf's journey. Beowulf wanted to go alone, yet the King commanded that a companion accompany him. Special shields were made and many cloaks were given to him. The King told Beowulf to uphold the honor of Geatsland and was given a golden collar. Beowulf boarded a ship and departed to the open sea.

Beowulf Lands in Daneland
The ship fought the waves and saw many monsters of the deep. Finally, they came to the coast of Daneland and a mighty storm arose, forcing them to find a small inlet and dock. As they landed, they were accosted by an old man with a huge spear. Beowulf told the man who he was and they took off to find the King of Daneland.

Beowulf Comes to Heorot
Beowulf and his companion trudged through the dense forest and finally found a marsh. They came upon a pillaged village with no life that could be seen. Finally, they made it to the castle and the King's herald appeared. The King appeared and the men introduced themselves. The King knew Beowulf as a child and warned him that Grendel would come. A feast was then prepared for the visitors.

The Words of Unferth
That night, there was a great feast for the first time in 12 years. It was not a joyful gathering, as there was much sorrow in the hearts of the Danes. Beowulf sat at the King's feet and was next to Unferth, who sat in moody silence. A gloom hung over the hall and finally Unferth cried out that Beowulf was not worthy and should return home.

The Words of Beowulf 
Unferth started at Beowulf in hatred. He had never taken up the fight of Grendel and that played largely into his frustrations. Beowulf told Unferth the true story of his fight in the sea and spoke with temperate words. At last, the King and Queen drank to the destruction of Grendel and the banquet resumed. Finally, the warriors departed and silence ensued.

Grendel Attacks
The story continues as Beowulf is dreaming. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the trees and a shadow appeared in the moonlight and it was Grendel. Beowulf was under a spell, causing him to be groggy and grew more and more sleepy. Then, the door burst open and Grendel came through, causing Beowulf to be awoken. He saw the monster and was struck with horror at the creature. Grendel devoured Hondscio, one of the men with Beowulf and he leapt from his bed ready to fight.

The Battle with Grendel
The fight between Beowulf and Grendel ensued, as they fought silently through the streets of Heorot, as the town was under a spell of deep slumber. The fight turned to mortal combat and Beowulf had the upper hand. Finally, Beowulf tore off Grendel's arm and the spell was broken. The soldiers who had been in a deep sleep woke up and the men took the mangled arm into the city. People crowded around and viewed the token of Grendel.

A New Misfortune
The King and Queen entered the hall and found Beowulf, rejoicing in his accomplishment. There was a great feast. Suddenly, a messenger came to to tell that Aescher was murdered by a fiend; Grendel's mother. Beowulf then grabbed his sword and called the men to kill the monster. A man gave Beowulf his sword and took off to find Grendel's mother.

Seeking Grendel's Mother
Beowulf rode off to find Grendel's mother in search of the beast. Finally, they found a evil lake filled with many monsters. Beowulf knew that he had to go into the lake to find the monster. He wanted to go alone and ran into the lake. He sank down to the bottom and felt things brushing against his legs. The water then began to glow and saw a forest made of living cora and flowers. He was attached by jellyfish and killed a hundred-armed monster. he kept sinking and began to wonder when he would find the monster he came to kill.

Beowulf Battles Grendel's Mother
Beowulf continued to sink and something grabbed him around the waist and dragged into a glowing cave. The monster was ugly, equipped with a full head of snakes as hair, fangs, and burning eyes. She grabbed Beowulf and he saw Grendel in the corner of the cave. Beowulf was petrified, as he was smothered under the monster. He drew his sword but it fell to the ground and the fight ensued. Beowulf was able to grab the sword and cut her in half. He cut off Grendel's head and threw the two bodies into the flames. He floated back to the top of the lake.

Beowulf's Triumph
Beowulf was gone for so long that his companions left him and went home. Only a few stayed and when they saw the water has been stained with blood, began to worry. They saw Beowulf rise to the top of the lake and shouted in glee. There was much rejoicing as they went back to Heorot. Beowulf noted that his task was done and was to return home. He was given many riches and then set sail back home.

The Arrival of the Dragon
Many years passed and Beowulf was regarded as one of the greatest heroes of the north. There was great prosperity and Beowulf grew in stature and strength. One day, a stranger came to see the King and he wished to speak to Beowulf. The visitor fell upon his knees and told a great tale to the King and Beowulf.

Preparing for Battle
The stranger told a tale of riches that could be plundered when suddenly a roar rung out to the crowd. The warriors went to secure the door but blue flames burst through the door, as a dragon rushed in. Beowulf got everyone out as dawn came. Beowulf gathered his men in the forest to go to battle as they discussed a battle plan. They decided to fight the dragon and drive him from their land.

Battle with the Dragon 
Night fell as they neared the spot where the dragon was. Beowulf told his followers that he would have to fight the dragon alone. Beowulf yelled to the dragon and called him to battle. The dragon was huge, covered in razors and billowing fire and smoke. The battle began, each contender weaving left and right to avoid each other's grasp. Beowulf tried to find the soft spot on the dragon and his legs shook beneath him. The world around him began to spin.

The End of Beowulf 
Finally, Wiglaf, Beowulf's friend, came to his aid and they fought the dragon side by side. Beowulf was caught by the dragon's tail and he sank to the ground. Wiglaf sunk his sword into the dragon and no sound came from it. The dragon was slain and Wiglaf turned to Beowulf, who was dying. Beowulf died as the greatest and truest of heroes. His body was carried to his home and men and women gathered from near and far to marvel at the dragon. Beowulf was laid to rest and he was passed onto his own gods.