Essay Database

BEOWULF Summary Beowulf begins with a history of the Danish kings, starting with Shild (whose funeral is described in the Prologue) and leading up to the reign of King Hrothgar, Shild's great-grandson. Hrothgar is well loved by his people and successful in war. He builds a lavish hall, called Herot, to house his vast army, and when the hall is finished the Danish soldiers gather under its roof to celebrate. Grendel, a monster in human …

…do good with which you've been blessed. The poet also makes clear our need for a code of ethics. Such a code allows members of society to relate to one another with understanding and trust. The most important bond in this society was the relation between king and warrior. When the Geat warriors broke that bond by refusing to assist Beowulf in his battle with the dragon, the foundation of society collapses, and chaos rules.