Beowulf Notes

Beowulf notes

* After explaining that he owes Hrothgar a favor because Hrothgar helped out his father, Beowulf offers to fight Grendel himself.

* Halfdane's son Hrothgar is fortunate in battle and gradually amasses the most followers and wealth of any of the princes, so he becomes king after his father.

* A local demon named Grendel is disturbed by the presence of Heorot Hall; like your neighbors, he hates to hear everyone drinking and partying and listening to music. It's even worse because the bard is singing about God's creation of the world, which is something that drives demons crazy.

* Grendel, who is one of the monstrous descendants of the Biblical outcast Cain

* horrified by the destruction that Grendel caused. King Hrothgar is humiliated and seems helpless.

* Heorot Hall is abandoned; everyone has been killed or fled. For twelve years, Grendel rules the hall at night.

* Grendel pretty much takes over Heorot Hall, although God keeps him from approaching Hrothgar's throne. (That kind of thing happens when you're the descendant of Cain, apparently.)

* He explains that the Geats haven't come to fight the Danes, but to help fight the demonic enemy of the Danes.

* King Hrothgar responds by recalling how he met Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow. Ecgtheow had killed someone from another tribe and had to flee, so he came to Hrothgar's land. Hrothgar settled the feud by paying money to the family of the man who had been killed, and Ecgtheow swore his allegiance to Hrothgar. Basically, what this means is that Beowulf owes Hrothgar because Hrothgar helped his father.

* Next, King Hrothgar presents Beowulf with gifts: an embroidered banner, breast-mail, an embossed helmet, and a sword. Last, but definitely not least, Hrothgar gives Beowulf eight horses with gold bridles, one of which has a fancy saddle designed for a king in battle. The narrator praises Hrothgar; this is exactly what a king is supposed to do to reward a hero.

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