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1. |
Section 01
09:41
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2. |
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The following night, Grendel struck again, and he has continued to wreak havoc on the Danes for twelve years. He has taken over Heorot, and Hrothgar and his men remain unable to challenge him. They make offerings at pagan shrines in hopes of harming Grendel, but their efforts are fruitless. The Danes endure constant terror, and their suffering is so extreme that the news of it travels far and wide.
At this time, Beowulf, nephew of the Geatish king Hygelac, is the greatest hero in the world. He lives in Geatland, a realm not far from Denmark, in what is now southern Sweden. When Beowulf hears tales of the destruction wrought by Grendel, he decides to travel to the land of the Danes and help Hrothgar defeat the demon. He voyages across the sea with fourteen of his bravest warriors until he reaches Hrothgar’s kingdom.
Seeing that the newcomers are dressed in armor and carrying shields and other equipment for combat, the watchman who guards the Danish coast stops Beowulf and his crew and demands to know their business. He admits that he has never seen outsiders come ashore so fearlessly and guesses that Beowulf is a noble hero. Beowulf explains that he is the son of Ecgtheow and owes his loyalty to Hygelac. He says that he has heard about the monster wreaking havoc on the Danes and has come to help Hrothgar. The watchman gives his consent and tells Beowulf that he believes his story. He tells the Geats to follow him, mentioning that he will order one of the Danes to watch Beowulf’s ship for him.
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3. |
Section 03
09:26
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The wisest men could offer no real help to Hrothgar, who suffered unimaginable sorrow. His people struggled to endure the horrors of the night.Grendel’s attacks were talked about in the nearby kingdom of the Geats. Hygelac, the ruler of the Geats, had a great warrior in his command, a nobleman who was the bravest man alive.
No one compared to him. When he heard of Grendel’s deeds, this man ordered that his warship be made ready to sail. He announced that he would sail to the aid of Hrothgar. Though the Geats loved him greatly, they did not stop him from going. They praised him and looked for good omens that fortold success. And the brave man gathered the fourteen best warriors of the Geats and prepared to sail. The boat was ready in the harbor. The men carried their shining weapons and armor on board, while the waves slapped the side of the ship. They pushed off and caught the wind. The boat was like a bird skimming the surface of the sea. On the second day, they saw tall cliffs ahead and knew their journey was over. They anchored their boat and lept ashore, their weapons and armor clanging. They thanked God for a safe voyage. Up on the cliff, one of Hrothgar’s guards saw the men unloading their shields and weapons. He raced down to the shore on his horse and confronted the men, shaking his spear while he spoke: “Who are you? Why have you sailed here fully armed? You don’t have permission from my people to land here with weapons out. I’ve never seen anything like this in all my days as a guard. And what a mighty warrior your leader is! An honest-to-goodness hero. But you better tell me where you’re from and what you’re doing here, unless you want people to think you are spies. The sooner you tell me, the better.”
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4. |
Section 04
11:22
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The leader spoke. “We are Geats and Hygelac is our ruler back home. My father was Ecgtheow, a noble warrior. He lived many years and wise men still honor him. We are on our way to your lord, Halfdane’s son, Hrothgar. Please help us in our errand. We have come to help the lord of the Danes. We have nothing to hide. We have heard of the evil monster that murders your people in the night. We want to help Hrothgar defeat this awful enemy and restore peace to the land and to his soul, if such a thing is possible. Otherwise he will suffer for the rest of his days while his hall sits empty.” From his horse, the guard answered, “A smart man knows the difference between words and actions. I believe you when you say that you want to help us. So get your weapons and let’s go-I’ll show you the way. I’ll leave some guards with your boat. They’ll keep it safe until it’s time for you to sail back home. May fate keep you heroes safe.” They set out, leaving their ship anchored in the sea. The warriors marched quickly and soon saw the hall, enormous and shining with gold. Hrothgar’s hall was the most beautiful house on earth and its glory extended to distant lands. The guard showed them to the house and then turned back, saying, “I have to go back to my post at the shore. May Almighty God protect you.”
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5. |
Section 05
09:24
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They made their way up the path to the hall, their armor shining brightly. Exhausted, they put their shields down against the wall of the hall and rested on the benches. Their weapons were stacked up nearby. One of Hrothgar’s warriors approached them. “Where do you come from with so much armor? I’ve never seen so many brave strangers before. You come to Hrothgar looking for glory, not shelter.” Their leader replied. “I am Beowulf, and we are Hygelac’s men. If your master, the son of Halfdane, will meet with me, I will tell him our mission.” Wulfgar, one of the local chieftains who was famous for his courage and wisdom, responded. “I will tell the king of Danes about your message and will return quickly with his answer.” Wulfgar hurried off to old Hrothgar, who sat surrounded by his men. “These men have come across the sea from Geatland,” he said to his king, “and their leader is named Beowulf. They would like to speak with you. They seem like worthy warriors to me, especially their leader, who looks like a true hero.”
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6. |
Section 06
10:33
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Hrothgar answered, “I remember him when he was young. His father was Ecgtheow, who was married to the daughter of Hrethel the Geat. And now their brave son comes to help his loyal friend. I once sent some sailors to the Geats to deliver some gifts, and they returned with wonderful tales about this man. They say he is as strong as thirty men. Merciful God has sent him to save us from Grendel’s horrors. I will reward him for his bravery. Tell them to come forward and let them know that they are most welcome here.” Wulfgar went to the door of the hall and said, “My master sends you this message. He knows your family well and welcomes you here. You may approach him in your armor, but leave your shields and weapons behind.” Beowulf gathered several of his warriors and followed Wulfgar, leaving some men behind to guard the weapons. Approaching Hrothgar in his shining armor, Beowulf spoke. “Hail, Hrothgar! I am Hygelac’s loyal subject and kinsman, and I have earned respect in his lands. Even there I have heard of Grendel’s evil deeds. Sailors talk about how your great hall stands empty at night. So my wise men suggested that I come to you, Hrothgar, in hopes that my strength and bravery may help you. They have seen me return from battle covered in the blood of my enemies. I have captured and killed monsters on land and in the sea, and have avenged and defended my people against foes who got what they deserved. And now I come to destroy Grendel. I ask for your permission to rid your hall of this fiend using only my men. I have heard that Grendel does not use weapons, so I intend to kill him with my bare hands and earn more glory in Hygelac’s name. The Lord will decide who will live and who will die. If Grendel wins, it will be an awful sight. He will gorge himself on my brave men. My body will not be here to be buried. He will take it back to his lair and eat it there. If this happens, send my armor back to Hygelac. Fate works as it must.”
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7. |
Section 07
10:13
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You have come here to defend us,” Hrothgar replied. “Long ago your father started a feud when he killed Heatholaf of the Wylfings. Your father’s people were afraid he would be killed in retaliation, so they sent him away. He sailed here. I had only recently become ruler of the Danes. My older brother Heorogar, a better man than I, had just died. I settled the feud by sending treasure to the Wylfings, and your father swore to be loyal to me. It is painful to me to trouble other people with the sufferings that Grendel has caused here in Heorot. But fate sweeps my men into Grendel’s grasp, and only God can stop these evil deeds. Many times men have come here, sat at my banquet table, drank my ale, and claimed that they would stop Grendel, and every time my hall has wound up covered in their blood. Now it is your turn to sit at my table.”
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8. |
Section 08
13:23
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UNFERTH spake, the son of Ecglaf,
who sat at the feet of the Scyldings’ lord,
unbound the battle-runes.—Beowulf’s quest,
sturdy seafarer’s, sorely galled him;
ever he envied that other men
should more achieve in middle-earth
of fame under heaven than he himself.—
“Art thou that Beowulf, Breca’s rival,
who emulous swam on the open sea,
when for pride the pair of you proved the floods,
and wantonly dared in waters deep
to risk your lives? No living man,
or lief or loath, from your labor dire
could you dissuade, from swimming the main.
Ocean-tides with your arms ye covered,
with strenuous hands the sea-streets measured,
swam o’er the waters. Winter’s storm
rolled the rough waves. In realm of sea
a sennight strove ye. In swimming he topped thee,
had more of main! Him at morning-tide
billows bore to the Battling Reamas,
whence he hied to his home so dear
beloved of his liegemen, to land of Brondings,
fastness fair, where his folk he ruled,
town and treasure. In triumph o’er thee
Beanstan’s bairn his boast achieved.
So ween I for thee a worse adventure
—though in buffet of battle thou brave hast been,
in struggle grim,—if Grendel’s approach
thou darst await through the watch of night!”
Sitting near the king’s feet was a man named Unferth. He was jealous of Beowulf and his bravery. He wanted to be the one who earned the fame and glory of victory. So he said, “Are you the same Beowulf whose vanity led him to battle Breca in the open sea just to show you could win? No one could stop you from swimming out after him. There was a terrible storm and you fought for seven nights, but in the end he came ashore the victor. He went back to his people confident in his superiority. You may be brave, but it won’t matter now-no one has lasted even one night against Grendel.”
Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow:—
“What a deal hast uttered, dear my Unferth,
drunken with beer, of Breca now,
told of his triumph! Truth I claim it,
that I had more of might in the sea
than any man else, more ocean-endurance.
We twain had talked, in time of youth,
and made our boast,—we were merely boys,
striplings still,—to stake our lives
far at sea: and so we performed it.
Naked swords, as we swam along,
we held in hand, with hope to guard us
against the whales. Not a whit from me
could he float afar o’er the flood of waves,
haste o’er the billows; nor him I abandoned.
Together we twain on the tides abode
five nights full till the flood divided us,
churning waves and chillest weather,
darkling night, and the northern wind
ruthless rushed on us: rough was the surge.
Now the wrath of the sea-fish rose apace;
yet me ’gainst the monsters my mailed coat,
hard and hand-linked, help afforded,—
battle-sark braided my breast to ward,
garnished with gold. There grasped me firm
and haled me to bottom the hated foe,
with grimmest gripe. ’Twas granted me, though,
to pierce the monster with point of sword,
with blade of battle: huge beast of the sea
was whelmed by the hurly through hand of mine.
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9. |
Section 09
12:44
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“Soon it was morning and God’s light was shining from the east. I saw high cliffs nearby. Fate saves those who are brave. I had killed nine sea monsters. I’ve never heard of another man who fought such a battle. I was exhausted, but I was alive. I was swept ashore on a beach in Finland. I’ve never heard of you fighting such a battle, Unferth. It’s not bragging on my part to say that neither you nor Breca can match up to me with a sword. You are responsible for the deaths of your family and will pay for it in hell. If you were really so brave and fierce, Unferth, Grendel wouldn’t still be killing everyone in Heorot. He knows he has nothing to fear from your sword, that you aren’t brave enough to fight him. He just goes on killing and feasting. The Danes are no match for him. But I will show him the power of the Geats. And then no one will be afraid to enter the mead hall in the morning.” Hrothgar was overjoyed at this speech. He knew help had truly arrived. Everyone grew happy afterwards, and their talk and laughter filled the hall. Hrothgar’s wife, Queen Wealtheow, came into the hall to greet the guests. She was dressed in
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10. |
Section 10
17:08
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11. |
Section 11
12:18
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12. |
Section 12
14:56
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13. |
Section 13
10:19
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14. |
Section 14
12:35
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