DIGRESSIONS IN Beowulf
[FLASHBACK] Hrothgar recollects a friendship and tells of Grendel’s raids (31)
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf tells of his swimming competition with Breca (37)
[DIGRESSION] The tale of Sigemund, the dragon-slayer. Appropriate for Beowulf, who
has defeated Grendel
[FLASHBACK] King Heremod remembered and contrasted with Beowulf {also pg. 117}
(61)
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf’s account of the fight with Grendel (65)
[DIGRESSION] Hildeburh, a Danish princess married to the Frisian King Finn, loses her
son and her brother Hnaef in a fight at Finn’s hall
The Danish attack is bloody but undecisive. Hnaef is killed, Hengest takes charge
and makes a truce with Finn and the Frisians
The Danish survivors to be quartered and given parity of treatment with the
Frisians and their allies, the Jutes (75)
The bodies of the slain burnt on the pyre
The Danes, homesick and resentful, spend a winter in exile (79)
Spring comes
Danish warriors spur themselves to renew the feud. Finn is killed, his stronghold
looted, his widow, Hildeburh, carried back to Denmark (81)
[FLASHBACK] A brief account of the fight with Grendel’s mother (115)
[DIGRESSION] Hrothgar’s discourse on the dangers of power (119)
[DIGRESSION] Queen Hygd introduced. The story of Queen Modthryth, Hygd’s
opposite, is told by the poet (133)
Beowulf and his troop are welcomed in Hygelac’s hall (135)
Hygelac questions Beowulf
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf tells what happened in the land of the Danes (137)
He forsees the grim consequence of a proposed marriage (139)
When the Danes appear at Freawaru’s wedding, their hosts, the Heathobards, will be
stirred to avenge an old defeat
[FLASHBACK] The tale of the fight with Grendel resumed (141)
Beowulf recalls the feast in Heorot (143)
He tells about Grendel’s mother (145)
Beowulf presentes Hygelac with the treasures he has won (147)
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf’s exemplary life is extolled (149)
Hygelac presents Beowulf with a sword and great tracts of land
Time passes. Beowulf rules the Geats for fifty years
A dragon awakes. An accidental theft provokes his wrath (151)
[FLASHBACK] Long ago, a hoard was hidden in the earth-house by the last survivor of
a forgotten race (153)
[FLASHBACK] Hygelac’s death, Beowulf’s rearguard action and escape across the sea
(161)
Beowulf acts as counsellor to Hygelac’s heir, Heardred
Heardred is implicated in Sweedish feuds and slain
Beowulf inherits the kingship, settles the feuding (163)
[FLASHBACK] He recalls his early days as a ward at King Hrethel’s court
An accidental killing and its sad consequences for Hrethel
Hrethel’s loss reflected in “The Father’s Lament”
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf continues his account of wars between the Geats and the
Swedes (167)
The Swedish king, Ongentheow, dies at the hands of Eofor, one of Hygelac’s thanes
(169)
Beowulf recalls his proud days in Hygelac’s retinue
[FLASHBACK] The deeds of Wiglaf’s gather, Weohstan, recalled (177)
[FLASHBACK] Beowulf thinks back on his life (185)
[FLASHBACK] Ongentheow’s last engagement at Ravenswood: He cornered a Geatish
force
Hygelac relieved the besieged gates (199)
Ongentheow withdrew
The Swedish king fought for his life. He survived a blow from Wulf, hit back, but was
killed by Wulf’s brother, Eofor
The victorious Geats returned home (201)