Beowulf Epic Summary

Aug 25, 2025

Overview

This is a structured summary of Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf, focusing on the narrative's major events, key characters, and central themes from the epic poem.

Origins and Early Kings

  • Shield Sheafson rises from foundling to revered king, uniting tribes and earning tribute.
  • His son Beow, and then Halfdane, continue the royal lineage; Hrothgar, Halfdane’s son, becomes king.
  • Hrothgar builds the great mead hall Heorot, symbolizing his power and generosity.

The Coming of Grendel

  • Grendel, a descendant of Cain, attacks Heorot, killing many and leaving the hall deserted for twelve years.
  • The Danes are unable to defeat Grendel and resort to ineffective pagan rituals for help.

Beowulf’s Arrival

  • Beowulf, a renowned Geatish warrior, hears of Hrothgar’s plight and sails to Denmark with his men to help.
  • He introduces himself, pledges to fight Grendel without weapons, and is welcomed by Hrothgar.

Battle with Grendel

  • Grendel attacks Heorot again, but Beowulf engages him in hand-to-hand combat.
  • Beowulf rips off Grendel’s arm, mortally wounding him; Grendel flees to the moors and dies.
  • Beowulf’s victory is celebrated with feasting and gifts from Hrothgar.

Grendel’s Mother’s Revenge

  • Grendel’s mother attacks Heorot in vengeance, killing Hrothgar’s advisor Aeschere and retrieving Grendel's arm.
  • Hrothgar describes her lair, a haunted mere, and asks Beowulf for aid; Beowulf agrees.

Battle with Grendel’s Mother

  • Beowulf dives into the mere, battles Grendel’s mother, and after a difficult fight, kills her with a giant’s sword.
  • He finds Grendel’s corpse, beheads it, and returns with the heads as trophies.
  • The Danes celebrate and reward Beowulf further.

Beowulf’s Return Home

  • Beowulf and his men return to Geatland with treasures and recount their deeds to King Hygelac.
  • Beowulf is honored and gifted land; he rules as king after Hygelac’s death.

The Dragon’s Attack

  • Years later, a thief disturbs a dragon’s hoard, enraging the dragon, who ravages Geatland in retaliation.
  • Beowulf, now an aged king, resolves to confront the dragon alone, with his thane Wiglaf joining him.

Beowulf’s Final Battle and Death

  • Beowulf battles the dragon; his sword fails, and he is mortally wounded.
  • Wiglaf assists, and together they kill the dragon, but Beowulf dies from his injuries.
  • Beowulf’s last wishes include seeing the dragon’s treasure and having a great barrow built for his memory.

Aftermath and Legacy

  • Wiglaf rebukes the other thanes for deserting their king.
  • Beowulf’s body is burned on a funeral pyre, and a barrow is built by the sea as a memorial.
  • The poem concludes by praising Beowulf’s fairness, kindness, and pursuit of fame.

Key Themes and Lessons

  • Heroism, loyalty, and the pursuit of lasting fame are central values.
  • The struggle between good and evil is personified through battles with monsters.
  • The poem reflects on fate, mortality, and the responsibilities of kingship.