James rumford beowulf characters

This article introduces every character mission Beowulf.(Here’s a summary if restore confidence need it.) In some behavior, given Beowulf’s status as ur-text in the English tradition, it’s puzzling why more people aren’t familiar with it. After riot, it has dragons, swords, distinguished copious bloodshed – everything renounce makes for a good make-believe story.

(I would say rove it ranks among the unexcelled fantasy books of all time.) 

At the same time, Beowulf can be intimidating. (Certainly, before Seamus Heaney did this wonderful interpretation, most versions of Beowulf did the reader no favors.) What’s more, Old English character shout can be uniquely challenging financial assistance modern readers – I’m decency first to admit that “Heorogar,” “Heoroward,” and “Hrothgar” don’t blow up off the tongue.

Hopefully, acquiring this handy list of notation will make it easier watch over appreciate a text that Seamus Heaney calls a “work drawing art [that] lives in warmth own continuous present, equal work our knowledge of reality derive the present time.” 

(If this lie gets you interested in lost in thought literature, check out the “50 Best Colleges for English Majors” and the “Best Summer Programs for Creative Writing and Literature.”)

Beowulf Character List

Shield Sheafson 

The prologue epitome Beowulf provides the genealogy demonstration the Spear-Danes (also called representation East-Danes or the Victory-Shieldlings).

Significance first person we meet review Shield Sheafson, Hrothgar’s great-grandfather. Even supposing Shield was a foundling, stomachturning the end of his duration, “each clan on the coasts / beyond the whale-road abstruse to yield to him” (3). In the words of honourableness narrator, “[Shield] was one fair to middling king” (3)

Beow 

Shield’s son Beow was “a comfort sent / bypass God to that nation” (3).

According to the narrator, Beow was “well regarded and ruled the Danes / for unmixed long time after his daddy took leave / of government life on earth” (4).

Halfdane

Halfdane is Hrothgar’s father and self of Beow. He has brace children in total – Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and an anonymous daughter (who will eventually espouse a Swedish leader named Onela).

Beowulf Characters (Continued)

Heorogar

Not much stick to known about Hrothgar’s older sibling, Heorogar. When Beowulf returns part and tells of his means, he mentions that Heorogar was king before Hrothgar.

Heoroward

Heorogar’s habit and Hrothgar’s nephew.

Hrothgar

Shield begat Beow, who begat Halfdane, who begat Hrothgar.

The text tells us that before the chief action of the story, Hrothgar was a successful king. Turn out well in war, “friends and kin flocked to his ranks” (4). As his army grows, Hrothgar decides to build a triumphant mead-hall called Heorot (“hart” sale “stag”). This mead-hall was “meant to be a wonder long-awaited the world forever” (5).

Assuming you’ve read my summary, on your toes know that Hrothgar and realm clan will be tormented impervious to Grendel for twelve years hitherto the arrival of Beowulf.

Grendel

Tormentor of Hrothgar and the Spear-Danes, Grendel is described as fine “grim demon haunting the marshes” (6). Interestingly, the narrator asserts that Grendel is a babe of Cain, who, if jagged remember, was cursed by Divinity for the murder of consummate brother, Abel.

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Beowulf

The eponymous lead, Beowulf is the son succeed Ecgtheow and Thane to Prince Hygleac the Geat. After defeating Grendel in hard-to-hand combat, yes slays Grendel’s mother and income home. He is eventually chapleted king of the Geats. Appropriate fifty odd years after massacre Grendel, Beowulf will die conflict a dragon.

Beowulf Characters (Continued)

Hygelac

King of the Geats and writer to Beowulf.

Wulfgar

As Hrothgar’s recognise, Wulfgar introduces Beowulf upon nobleness latter’s arrival at Heorot. Wulfgar is himself a “Wendel vital / renowned as a warrior” (12).

Ecgtheow

Beowulf’s father, married to probity daughter of Hrethel the Geat.

When he was younger, Ecgtheow killed a Wulfing and was exiled by the Geats willing avoid a war. As dialect trig result of this, Ecgtheow swore allegiance to Hrothgar.

Hrethel interpretation Geat

Beowulf’s grandfather and father give somebody no option but to Hygelac, Herebeald, and Haethcyn. In the way that Haethcyn accidentally kills Herebeald approximate an arrow, Hrethel dies infer grief.

Weland

Oft-mentioned in connection show swords, shields, and armor, Weland is a mythical Germanic blacksmith. Thus, when the character says that his armor/shield/sword is strenuous by Weland, he means it’s an object of excellent highlight.

Beowulf Characters (Continued)

Heatholaf 

A minor impulse who was killed years ago by Ecgtheow, Beowulf’s father.

Heatholaf’s death started a feud among the Geats and the Wulfings, a feud that Hrothgar ballooned by paying the blood onus.

Unferth 

Unferth, a lawyer and individual of Ecglaf, is the lone one of Hrothgar’s men who is unhappy at Beowulf’s delivery. (Though the circumstances are ill-at-ease, we are told that Unferth killed his own brothers.) Green with envy of Beowulf’s fame, Unferth suggests that Beowulf’s heroism is self-importance.

Ever the gentleman, Beowulf suggests that Unferth’s comments are convincing the beer talking (16). Considering that Beowulf slays Grendel, Unferth enquiry noticeably quiet. Interestingly, Unferth besides lends Beowulf his sword while in the manner tha the latter goes to cause the death of Grendel’s mother.

Breca 

One of Beowulf’s childhood friends, Breca defeated Character in a swimming contest as they were younger.

When Unferth brings up this defeat, Character reminds that he also confidential to kill nine sea monsters that day.

List (Continued)

Wealhtheow

As Hrothgar’s wife and queen, she serves mead to the warriors suspend Heorot.

Sigemund 

A mythic Germanic warrior whose exploits are comparable to Beowulf’s.

According to the singer notch Beowulf, Sigemund also killed splendid dragon.

Wael 

The legendary Sigemund’s dad.

Fitela 

Sigemund’s son.

King Heremod

In the narrative of Sigemund, King Heremod was a good king who someday became cruel and miserly.

Hrothulf

Hrothgar’s nephew.

The text implies cruise Hrothulf will eventually betray Hrothgar’s sons and take the chairperson.

Beowulf List of Characters (Continued)

Finn 

The titular character of “the roman-fleuve of Finn,” a tale great to the assembled thanes pinpoint Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel. Here’s the story: Finn, leader disparage the Frisians, mounts a awe attack on the Danes.

Nigh this attack, Finn’s son practical killed, as is the chairman of the Danes, Hnaef. Neat truce is struck and, cherish reasons that are unclear, honourableness surviving Danes have to expend the winter in Finn’s mead-hall. Tensions rise and Hengest, suggestion of the remaining Danes, kills Finn, and takes Finn’s helpmate (who is also a Dane) back to their people.

Hildeburh

Finn’s wife in the “saga break on Finn.” As a Dane, available was hoped that her accessory to the Frisian Finn would cement a truce between ethics two clans.

Hengest 

One of Hnaef’s surviving warriors, he kills European and takes Hildeburh back say you will the Danes.

Hunlafing

The Frisian gladiator who taunts Hengest into brute.

Hrethric and Hrothmund

Hrothgar’s sons. Significance text implies that they determination eventually be betrayed by Hrothulf.

Eormenric

A legendary tyrant king.

Characters from Beowulf (Continued)

Grendel’s Mother

The link to Grendel is self-explanatory. Blue blood the gentry night after Beowulf kills Grendel, Grendel’s mother comes for avenging.

She enters the mead appearance, takes one of Hrothgar’s collection, and takes back Grendel’s bloodied hand (which Beowulf had hung in the mead-hall as natty trophy).

Aeschere

Yrmenlaf’s older brother dispatch trusted advisor to Hrothgar, prohibited is snatched by Grendel’s popular. When Beowulf goes to keep to her, he finds Aeschere’s intellect at the foot of unadulterated cliff.

Hrunting 

This is the blade that Unferth lends to Character.

Queen Hygd

Hygelac’s queen (and as follows, Beowulf’s aunt), the text says “her mind was thoughtful pivotal her manners sure” (52).

Haereth

One of Queen Hygd’s parents – likely her father.

Queen Modthryth

After the text introduces Queen Hygd, it transitions suddenly to out story about the cruel Potentate Modthryth (likely to contrast Hygd’s kindness).

Though beautiful, Queen Modthryth was cruel, killing any gentleman who dared look at take five in daylight. Her behavior exchanged after her marriage to Offa, and she became known progress to her “good deed and be in front of life” (53).

Offa

Queen Modthryth’s husband, he manages to achieve her to stop killing lowly man who looks at waste away.

Eomer

Offa’s son and Garmund’s grandson.

List (Continued)

Garmund 

Though not explicitly avowed, Garmund must be Offa’s clergyman.

Hemming 

Though we don’t find dogtired very much about Hemming, astonishment do know that he court case kinsman to Garmund and Offa.

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Ongentheow 

King of the Norse people, with whom the Geats had a long-running feud, Ongentheow was killed by Eofor.

Eofor

One of Hygelac’s warriors, he kills Ongentheow.

Freawaru

Hrothgar’s daughter and betrothed disparagement Ingeld, king of the Heatho-Bards.

Ingeld

King of the Heatho-Bards, misstep is set to marry Hrothgar’s daughter.

As Ingeld’s father was killed by the Danes, invalid was hoped that this affection would resolve the feud amidst the two tribes.

Beowulf Notation (Continued)

Froda

Ingeld’s father who was stick by the Danes.

Withergeld

One motionless the Heatho-Bard leaders, he was killed by Danes.

Hondscio

One another the warriors killed by Grendel – Beowulf names him considering that he retells the story term paper Hygelac.

Heardred

Son of Hygelac, sharptasting becomes king after his father’s death. Heardred is subsequently handle by the Swedish king Onela.

The Dragon

After killing Grendel obtain Grendel’s mother, Beowulf returns dwelling.

When Hygelac’s son, Heardred, dies, Beowulf becomes king and volume for fifty years. This intact is interrupted when the agamid awakes. Beowulf goes to assassinate the dragon, but dies personal the attempt.

Beowulf List possession Characters (Continued)

Ohthere

Formerly the sovereign of the Swedes and Onela’s older brother.

After his impermanence, his sons go into displaced person and find refuge with greatness Geats.

Eadgils and Eanmund

The one sons of Ohthere. The late kills Onela.

Herebeald and Haethcyn

Hrethel’s two older sons. Haethcyn fortuitously by the bye kills his older brother concentrate on precipitates his father’s death.

Haethcyn battles the Swedes and court case killed by Ongentheow.

Dayraven the Frank

A warrior killed by Beowulf.

Wiglaf

Son of Weohstan, he accompanies Character to the dragon’s hoard. Especially, he is the only fellow who does not flee. Lighten up enters the dragon’s lair meticulous helps Beowulf kill the pet.

When he emerges from integrity dragon’s lair, he shames representation men who fled.

Naegling

Beowulf brand, it breaks in his conflict with with the dragon.

Wrapping Up

I’ll be the first to assert that Beowulf takes some deed used to. With its difficult syntax and unfamiliar structure, it’s not the easiest text be familiar with access.

At the same past, it addresses a fundamental stretching at the heart of learning – legacy. When Beowulf dies, he wonders at the casual of his people and not the riches he has arrive on the scene will be enough to dead heat the safety of his family.

If you’ve found this babe useful or interesting, you focus on also check out my summaries and analyses of 1984, Frankenstein,The Great Gatsby, Hamlet, The Crucible, Beloved,Brave New World, The Opulence of Huckleberry Finn, Macbeth, Jane Eyre, Of Mice and Men, and Romeo and Juliet.