Beowulf
Life without Courage and Honor is Death.
Beowulf Character List
Beowulf – a Geat (Jute) warrior, son of Edgetho and nephew of Hyglac, king of the Jutes.
Hyglac is Beowulf’s Feudal Lord as well as his uncle. He is the Greatest Warrior of the
Jutes. Beo - bee; wulf - wolf = Beewolf, a.k.a. "Bear" Arthur - "Bear"
Brecca – chief of the Tribe of Brondings and a great friend of Beowulf.
Grendel – a man eating monster who lives at the bottom of a foul mere or mountain lake. His
name might be related to the old Norse “grindill,” meaning “storm,” or “grenja,” “to bellow.” He is
described as the living dead – the Draugar.
Grendel’s Mother – another of Cain’s descendants, the mother of Grendel is more foul than
her offspring. The idea of the mother comes from the word “Ketta” meaning “She Cat.”
Hrothgar – King of the Danes, builder of Herot. He had once befriended Beowulf’s father.
His father was called Helfdane (half-dane). Hrothgar’s name might mean “glory spear” or
“spear of triumph.”
Unferth – one of Hrothgar’s courtiers, who is reputed as a skilled warrior. He is a despicable
character in this story for what he did to his family. His sword is called “Hrunting," and used by
Beowulf later in battle. Sometimes, Unferth’s name is translated as “strife.”
Welthow – Hrothgar’s wife, queen of the Danes
Wiglaf – a Jute warrior, one of Beowulf’s select band of warriors, and the only one to remain
by his side during the final battle with the dragon. Wiglaf might be blood related to Beowulf, he
is definitely one of his ring-retainers.
Hygd – Hygelac’s queen. Beowulf gives her the necklace that Welthow gives him.
Dragon – guards a vast treasure horde under the ground until one of the Jutes steals a cup
from his horde. He awakes and causes havoc in Juteland.
Hrunting – Unferth’s Sword used by Beowulf to fight Grendel’s Mother.
Naegling – Beowulf’s Sword used to fight the dragon.
Why are the swords named?
Wyrd – Fate or destiny of the warrior
Herot – Mead Hall of the Danes. Built by Hrothgar the Danish King. It was decorated with
the antlers of stags; the name means “hart (stag) hall.” Scholars think that Herot might have
been build near Lejre on the coast of Zealand in Denmark.
Danes – Danish people troubled by Grendel.
Geats (Jutes) – People of Juteland, tribe of Beowulf.
Themes of Beowulf
Fame and Glory – What is the difference between the two?
Self versus the Wyrd
Fortune – What is the purpose of amassing great fortune and fame? What ideal does this
uphold in the Anglo-Saxon world?
What makes a hero?
What do weapons and armor say about the individual?
Epic of extreme contrasts.
Struggle of human-kind.
The Manly Virtues – all are seen in this poem.
Comitatus - community of warriors - die to save prince or king. Strict loyalty code.
Interlacing Poetry - like a Celtic Knot.
Hospitality and loyalty to host and guest.
Pride as a sin - Hrothgar warns Beowulf about this - does Beowulf fall into the trap?
Heroic Code - tragic