Beowulf characters

Beowulf

Also known as Higelac's kinsman, Ecgtheow's son, lord of the War-Geats, the Geatman, the mighty champion, the warrior-king

The Geatish hero of the poem, a warrior of unmatched strength who slays Grendel and Grendel's mother for the Danes and later, as an aged king, dies killing a dragon. Nephew and thane of King Higelac and son of Ecgtheow.

As drawn: A towering, broad-shouldered Geatish warrior of legendary hand-strength, clad in a gleaming ring-mail burnie and a battle-high boar-crested helmet, bearing a bright targe-shield and the sword Nægling; in old age a gray, weathered but still mighty king.

Bonds:HrothgarNew alliesGrendelSworn rivalsHigelacGeatish alliesDragonDragon slayer

Grendel

Also known as the monster, death-shade, foe of mankind, horrible hermit, the fell one, master of malice, the ill-planning death-shade

A man-eating monster descended from Cain who haunts the moor-fens and nightly ravages Hrothgar's hall Heorot, until Beowulf tears off his arm in a bare-handed grapple.

As drawn: A huge, misshapen fen-demon with a hulking man-like body, horrid clawed fingers strong enough to burst iron doors, and eyes from which glimmers an unlovely fire-like lustre; a grizzly, mist-shrouded shape that stalks the dark.

Bonds:BeowulfSworn rivalsHrothgarSworn enemiesGrendel'sMother and sonÆschereKiller and victim

Grendel's Mother

Also known as the mere-woman, the sea-bottom's monster, the horrible woman, depth-warder, the mother of Grendel, the mighty mere-woman

The vengeful she-monster who dwells beneath a haunted mere and attacks Heorot to avenge her slain son, killing Æschere, until Beowulf hunts her down and slays her in her underwater den.

As drawn: A monstrous mere-woman lurking at the sea-bottom, a savage water-hag with a broad flashing war-knife and a fierce clawing grip strong enough to drag an armored warrior down through gore-clotted currents to her cavern lair.

Bonds:GrendelMother and son

The Dragon

Also known as the fire-drake, the worm, ward of the barrow, the winged war-hero, the fire-demon, the monster of malice

A fire-breathing, treasure-guarding serpent whose hoard is robbed of a single cup; enraged, it ravages the Geats with flame until Beowulf and Wiglaf kill it, though the fight costs Beowulf his life.

As drawn: A great winged fire-drake, a coiling worm that guards a barrow-hoard, spewing hot-gleaming fire-waves and blaze-billows that scorch shields to their edges; a nocturnal flying serpent with venomous fangs.

Bonds:BeowulfDragon slayerWiglafDragon adversaries

Hrothgar

Also known as friend of the Scyldings, the hoary old Scylding, the age-stricken Scylding, the Danish king, the gray-haired

The aged, wise king of the Danes who built the great mead-hall Heorot and suffers Grendel's persecutions for twelve years until Beowulf delivers him; he lavishes gifts and fatherly counsel on the hero.

As drawn: A gray-haired, hoary old Danish king of dignified bearing, seated on his high seat in gold-adorned regalia amid the treasures of Heorot, aged and battle-worn but still a lordly ring-giver.

Bonds:BeowulfNew alliesGrendelSworn enemiesHealfdeneFather and sonUnferthThane and lord

Wiglaf

Also known as son of Weohstan, son of Wihstan, the Wægmunding, shield-warrior, the young-aged stripling

The young Geatish kinsman and loyal thane who alone stands by Beowulf against the dragon, helps deal the killing blow, and tends the dying king; heir to Beowulf's legacy.

As drawn: A young Geatish shield-warrior in inherited war-mail and helmet, bearing sword and linden shield, advancing beneath his kinsman's fire-scorched war-target with steadfast courage.

Bonds:BeowulfBattle companionsDragonDragon adversaries

Unferth

Also known as Hunferth, son of Ecglaf, offspring of Ecglaf

A courtier of Hrothgar and son of Ecglaf who taunts Beowulf about a swimming-match at the feast, then later lends the hero his sword Hrunting for the fight against Grendel's mother.

As drawn: A sharp-tongued Danish nobleman seated at Hrothgar's feet in the mead-hall, dressed in courtly Danish attire, girt with his famed sword Hrunting.

Bonds:BeowulfSworn rivalsHrothgarThane and lord

Higelac

Also known as king of the Geats, the War-Geats' leader, Hrethel's son

King of the Geats, Beowulf's uncle and lord, to whom the hero returns with honors and treasure; later slain on a raid among the Franks.

As drawn: A vigorous Geatish king in a gold-ringed mead-hall, robed as a lordly ring-giver, receiving his triumphant kinsman in Geatish warrior finery.

Bonds:BeowulfGeatish alliesHygdRoyal spousesEcgtheowIn-laws

Wealhtheow

Also known as the Helming lady, queen of the Danes, Hrothgar's consort

Queen of the Danes and wife of Hrothgar, a gracious Helming noblewoman who bears the mead-cup through Heorot and honors Beowulf with a collar and gifts, commending her sons to his care.

As drawn: A stately Danish queen of queenly courtesy, adorned in gold and jewels with a precious neck-collar, bearing the ornamented mead-cup among the seated warriors of Heorot.

Ecgtheow

Also known as the Wægmunding warrior, Hrethel's son-in-law

Beowulf's father, a widely known Wægmunding warrior who married Hrethel's daughter and once fled his land after slaying Heatholaf the Wylfing; a debt Hrothgar once settled on his behalf.

As drawn: A seasoned Wægmunding warrior of an earlier generation, remembered in battle-gear and burnie, spoken of as a far-traveled fighting man.

Bonds:BeowulfFather and sonHrethelIn-lawsHigelacIn-laws

Æschere

Also known as aged adviser, Hrothgar's shoulder-companion, the death-weakened hero

Hrothgar's beloved aged counsellor and closest confidant, seized and killed by Grendel's mother in her raid of vengeance, his death grieving the king deeply.

As drawn: An aged, gray Danish counsellor and veteran warrior at Hrothgar's side, dignified in years and courtly dress.

Bonds:GrendelKiller and victimHrothgarConfidential friends

Hrethel

Also known as the hero-king, the jewel-prince, the hoar-headed hero

The old Geatish king who fostered Beowulf from the age of seven and treated him as a son; grandfather of Beowulf and father of Higelac, who died of grief over kin-slaying among his sons.

As drawn: An aged Geatish king, hoary and sorrow-worn, seated among treasure and kin in his hall, a fatherly ring-giver of the Hrethling line.

Bonds:BeowulfGrandfather and grandsonEcgtheowIn-laws

Scyld

Also known as Scefing, founder of the Scyldings, the good king

The legendary founder of the Danish Scylding dynasty who came to Daneland as a foundling and, at his death, was set adrift on a treasure-laden ship; ancestor of Hrothgar.

As drawn: A mighty, revered Danish king-founder, laid at death in a ring-prowed ship heaped with weapons and treasure, set adrift upon the sea.

Bonds:HealfdeneGrandfather-grandson

Healfdene

Also known as the Scylding king, Scyld's grandson

King of the Danes, grandson of Scyld and father of Hrothgar, who ruled the Danes long and well and fathered four children including Heorogar, Hrothgar, and Halga.

As drawn: A grim-mooded, aged Danish king of the Scylding line, a stern gray-bearded ruler in kingly array.

Bonds:HrothgarFather and sonScyldGrandfather-grandson

Hygd

Also known as queen of Higelac, the gentle queen

The gentle young queen of Higelac, praised for her wisdom and courtesy and set in the poem as a virtuous contrast to the fierce Thrytho.

As drawn: A young, gracious Geatish queen of gentle bearing, richly dressed in the gold-adorned finery of Higelac's court.

Bonds:HigelacRoyal spouses