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Beowulf Chapter 1 Summary

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In this chapter we start by continuing on with the story of Beowulf at sea. In this chapter we learn that while he was at sea he was attacked by many monsters and he had killed in total 9 of them with his razor sharp sword and shortly after saw “God’s bright beacon” which led him to land in the darkness. This concludes his story and he tells to Unferth that he nor Breeca are as bold and that they are no match for him. He also mentioned how Unferth murdered his brothers for power and that he will suffer in hell as a result. He states as well that if Unferth was as bold and great as he had thought Grendel wouldn’t have the courage to invade his hall to which Beowulf states he will make true such a thought. Then Hrothgar’s queen, Welthow, came into the hall, …show more content…

He then arrives in the hall, which was well protected more firmly than before, tearing the door off its iron fasteners with a touch. He then saw the sleeping warriors, such a sight he relished, to which, his heart laughed and intended to “tear the life from those bodies”. He then grabs a sleeping geat and tears him apart with his jaws. Next he grabs an alert Beowulf but was instead seized himself and his claws were bent back by one of Beowulf’s hands, which struck fear into the monster. Beowulf then has both hands and his men proceed to attack Grendel with their swords but it doesn’t harm him. Grendel who was dying decided to tear his arm free and escaped ending the battle. Grendel went back to his marsh and died in the edge of the lake but his body wasn’t found but his arm was enough to prove of his defeat. Beowulf is venerated and given treasure for his victory. He is then given princedom by Hrothgar making him his son and Beowulf states how he had wished to have killed Grendel in the hall so his corpse would be present. That’s what happened in the second assigned

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