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Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon hero, fought monsters and became king of the Geats. The poem was written in England, but set in Scandinavia. Beowulf’s historical existence is uncertain.
Beowulf is the hero and main character of an Anglo-Saxon epic poem. The poem was written in England, although the action is set in Scandinavia. It takes place in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, but was written between the 8th and 11th centuries. Beowulf is among the most important Anglo-Saxon works of literature in existence.
According to the poem, Beowulf was the son of a Swede, EcgÞeow, but grew up among the Geats. EcgÞeow had been banished before his son was born because he was unable to pay a high wereguild, a type of fine imposed on those who killed a man. EcgÞeow sought refuge with the Danish king Hroðgar, who paid off his werewolf, then served under the Geatish king Hreðel. EcgÞeow married the daughter of Hreðel and Beowulf was their son.
Beowulf began his heroic deeds as a young warrior when a monster named Grendel threatened the kingdom of Hreðel. He killed the monster, ripping off its arm, and was celebrated by his fellow warriors as a hero. The following night, Grendel’s mother, who is unnamed in the poem, arrives to avenge his death. Beowulf kills her too, with the help of a magical giant sword, then takes Grendel’s head as a trophy to Geatland.
After these adventures, Beowulf fought for the Geat throne alongside King Hygelac. After Hygelac died during a raid against the Franks, his widow offered the throne to Beowulf, but he refused so that his son Heardred could succeed his father. Heardred later died in a Swedish invasion and Beowulf finally became king of the Geats.
Beowulf had ruled the Geats for 50 years when a dragon threatened his reign. He fought the dragon and killed it, but also suffered mortal wounds. Before he died, he prophesied that the Swedes would once again attack the Geats. He was buried by his men in a mound near the sea.
Scholars believe Beowulf is a mixture of legend and historical fact, but no historical figure has been identified as the literary hero. One theory holds that he is the same figure as Bödvar Bjarki from the Scandinavian tradition, but this idea is controversial. The name literally means “bee-wolf,” which could refer to a bear, as a bear is like a wolf or bee hunter. Therefore, Beowulf is probably a literary nickname rather than the proper name of a historical king.
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