Beowulf is the first classic piece of English Literature and the best-known Anglo-Saxon work. This epic poem is set in an area thought to be Scandinavia, a place in Europe prior to the arrival of Christianity. The original author of Beowulf has never been identified, or established his direct reasons for creating such an epic piece. This poem was originally an oral piece, it was written down in Old English approximately around 700 a.d.; (Sparknotes) however the actual date of its origin is very debatable, because some of the action depicted in this poem takes place around 500 a.d. (sparknotes). Further, Beowulf is a major historical piece admired by scholars and authors around the planet.
Beowulf is a very detailed epic poem but for comprehensive purposes, the best summary I could come up with is this: King Hrothgar of Denmark had a very flourishing reign. He built a mead-hall, named Heorot, place where his warriors gathered to drink.
The Old English epic poem Beowulf is written in al...
An illustration of Grendel by J.R. Skelton from St...
English: An illustration of Beowulf fighting the d...However not all remained quiet, the loud noises from the mead-hall angered Grendel, a demon who lived in the swamp. Grendel tormented the Danes every night, killing and injuring them. Eventually, a young Geatish warrior, Beowulf, hears of Hrothgar's problem with Grendel and being as heroic as he his Beowulf sailed to Denmark to defeat Grendel. Hrothgar, who at one point in time did a favor for Ecgtheow (Beowulf's father), accepts Beowulf's offer to fight and holds a feast in his honor, in the mead-hall. Grendel arrives, and Beowulf fights unarmed in order to prove his strength. Grendel struggled to escape but Beowulf ripped his arms off, Grendel is then is severely wounded and goes back to the swamp and dies. Ecstatic, Hrothgar showers Beowulf with gifts and has another feast in his honor. However, Grendel's mother comes to Heorot to seek...