by Kevin Guo

Created on: June 10, 2010   Last Updated: June 11, 2010

The newly built Hall Heorot, a grand spectacle of golden towers, is being plagued by the monster Grendel. Many men have died trying to defend the golden castle against him, and none have succeeded. That is, until Beowulf, a short legged man hears of Grendel’s reign of terror, and decides to best this monster once and for all.

As Beowulf journeys to Hall Heorot, he is told countless times that his ambition is foolish, and that he should return and save his own life, but Beowulf is determined to defeat Grendel, and continues on his way. At Hall Heorot, he is graciously greeted by King Hrothgar and Queen Wealtheow, but they fear too, that his goal is unreasonable. A sneering boy named Unferth tries to humiliate Beowulf, but fails.

Later at night, Beowulf meets Grendel in combat. It is a tough struggle, but Beowulf is filled with light and through this, he manages to subdue Grendel and tear off his arm. Grendel flees into the night, doomed to die from loss of blood, while the inhabitants of Hall Heorot applaud Beowulf for his brave actions and throw a party. But the following night, as everyone is sleeping, Grendel’s mother comes and takes the arm of Grendel. Later Beowulf discovers this new threat, and sets off to Grendel’s mother’s den.  In the den, Beowulf discovers she is a greater foe than her son, and is nearly killed by the monster, but in the end, he manages to defeat her.

After being celebrated in Hall Heorot for many days, Beowulf goes back to his homeland, where he lives out his youth as a beekeeper. Beowulf proves his modesty, handing over the throne to the rightful heir when the king dies, and responsibly ruling when there he is made king. Suddenly in Beowulf’s old age, disaster strikes, as an ancient fire-drake is awakened and burns down a valley. Beowulf sets out with his friend Wiglaf, and a small party of men to kill the fire-drake. Beowulf manages to kill the dragon by having a swarm of bees fly down the fire-drake’s mouth, but suddenly dies of old age afterwards. Wiglaf, because of his close relationship with Beowulf, becomes king in his place.                            

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