Beowulf
Beowulf
Beowulf was a warrior in Geatland, a southern region of Sweden. He was sent to Zealand to pay off a debt owed by his father. Beowulf was well known for his prowess in battle and so was the logical choice when King Hrothgar needed someone to help rid his kingdom of the fearsome Grendel.
When Grendel attacked the mead hall in the middle of the night, Beowulf beat him easily, tearing his arm off in the process. Grendel retreated to a bog and died. Grendel's mother returned to exact vengeance, killing Hrothgar's best warrior while Beowulf was sleeping in another building. Beowulf took up the challenge to kill Grendel's mother and confronted her near the body of Grendel. After being dragged to the bottom of a lake, Beowulf manages to defeat Grendel's mother using a powerful sword he finds in her treasure trove.
After leaving Hrothgar, Beowulf eventually became king of his own lands. A member of his kingdom stole a golden cup from a dragon's lair and the dragon wreaked havoc on the land. Beowulf confronted the dragon in battle and defeated it, but lost his own life to a poisoned wound.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Origin:
Old English Epic Poem, “Beowulf”
Heroic Values:
Achievement, Courage, Faith
Sources: