Beowulf: Character list and Short discussion
1. Beowulf
2. King Hrothgar
3. Grendel
4. Grendel's Mother
5. The Dragon
6. Shield Sheafson
7. Beow
8. Halfdane
9. Wealhtheow
10. Unferth
11. Herthric
12. Hrothmund
13. Hrothulf
14. Aeschere
15. Hygelac
16. Hygd
17. Wiglaf
18. Ecgtheow
19. King Hrethel
20. Breca
21. Sigemund
22. King Heremod
23. Queen Modthryth
Short discussion of these characters:
1. Beowulf
Beowulf is the protagonist of this epic. He is a Geatish hero. The poem explores his heroism in two separate phases. One is youth and another is old age. He fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and
a fire-breathing dragon. In his youth, he personifies all of the best
values of the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective
ruler. Beowulf’s pride and encounters reveal him to be the strongest, ablest warrior around.
2. King Hrothgar
King Hrothgar was the king of the Danes in this epic. He is a relatively static character. He was a wise and aged ruler. He enjoys military success and prosperity. Hrothgar represents a different kind of
leadership from that exhibited by the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a father
figure to Beowulf and a model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes.
3. Grendel
There are so many memorable creation in this poem. Grendel is one of them. He is a demon descended from
Cain. His nature is ambiguous. Grendel hunts Hrothgar’s warriors from the king’s mead-hall in Heorot.
4. Grendel's Mother
Grendel’s mother was an unnamed swamp-hag. She seems to possess fewer human qualities than Grendel. Her
terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for vengeance. It is a human
motivation.
5. The Dragon
The Dragon is an
ancient powerful serpent in this poem, He guards a horde of treasure in a hidden
mound. Beowulf’s fight with the dragon constitutes the third and final part of
the epic.
6. Shield Sheafson
The poem opens with a brief account of Shield Sheafson's rise from orphan to warrior-king. He is the legendary Danish king. He is descended of Hrothgar. He is the
mythical founder. He inaugurates a long line of Danish rulers. He also embodies the
Danish tribe’s highest values of heroism and leadership. In the concluding of the poem, we find that “That was
one good king."
7. Beow
The
second king listed in the genealogy of Danish rulers with which the poem
begins. Beow is the son of Shield Sheafson and father of Halfdane. The narrator
presents Beow as a gift from God to a people in need of a leader. He
exemplifies the maxim, “Behavior that’s admired / is the path to power among
people everywhere”
8. Halfdane
Halfdane is the
father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter. He married a king
of the Swedes. Halfdane succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.
9. Wealhtheow
Wealhtheow is Hrothgar’s
wife. She is the gracious queen of the Danes.
10. Unferth
In this poem, He is a Danish warrior. He is jealous of Beowulf. He is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel. Because of this, he proves himself inferior to Beowulf.
11. Herthric
Herthric is Hrothgar’s
elder son, He stands to inherit the Danish throne. But his older
cousin Hrothulf will prevent him from doing so. Beowulf offers to support the
youngster’s prospect of becoming king by hosting him in Geatland and giving him
guidance.
12. Hrothmund
Hrothmund is the
second son of Hrothgar.
13. Hrothulf
In this poem, Hrothulf is Hrothgar’s
nephew, He betrays and usurps his cousin. Hrethic, the rightful heir to
the Danish throne. Hrothulf’s treachery contrasts with Beowulf’s loyalty to
Hygelac in helping his son to the throne.
14. Aeschere
Aeschere is Hrothgar’s
trusted adviser. He always gives advice to Hrothgar.
15. Hygelac
Hygelac is Beowulf’s
uncle. He is the king of the Geats. He is the husband of Hygd. Hygelac heartily welcomes
Beowulf back from Denmark.
16. Hygd
Hygd is the Hygelac’s
wife. She is the young, beautiful, and intelligent queen of the Geats. Hygd is contrasted
with Queen Modthryth.
17. Wiglaf
A
young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the
dragon while all of the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic
code better than Beowulf’s other retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable
successor to Beowulf.
18. Ecgtheow
Ecgtheow is Beowulf’s
father, Hygelac’s brother-in-law, and Hrothgar’s friend. Ecgtheow is dead by
the time the story begins, but he lives on through the noble reputation that he
made for himself during his life and in his dutiful son’s remembrances.
19. King Hrethel
King Hrethel is the
Geatish king. He took Beowulf in as a ward after the death of Ecgtheow,
Beowulf’s father.
20. Breca
Breca is Beowulf’s
childhood friend whom he defeated in a swimming match. Unferth alludes to the
story of their contest, and Beowulf then relates it in detail.
21. Sigemund
A figure
from Norse mythology, famous for slaying a dragon. Sigemund’s story is told in
praise of Beowulf and foreshadows Beowulf’s encounter with the dragon.
22. King Heremod
In this poem, King Heremod was an
evil king of legend. The scop, or bard, at Heorot discusses King Heremod as a
figure who contrasts greatly with Beowulf.
23. Queen Modthryth
In this poem, Queen is a wicked
queen of legend. She punishes anyone who looks at her the wrong way. Modthryth’s
story is told in order to contrast her cruelty with Hygd’s gentle and
reasonable behavior.
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