Beowulf Paper

Who/what are the following?   Explain in your own words the role of each character/place, and provide a quote for each that best exemplifies their true character/nature.   Beowulf, Hrothgar, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, Wiglaf, the dragon, Unferth, Wealhtheow, Herot
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Beowulf is the hero of the story. Throughout the story he is proven as nobel warrior and the poem’s hero. Beowulf is very brave and conquers many challenges that come his way throughout the poem. He wants to help people and do anything in his power to feel safe. He does this when he says, “I have come so far, / O shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, / That this one favor you should not refuse me” (45, lines 257-259). This quote shows how Beowulf is just a character who is strong and wants to help.

​Hrothgar is the old and wise king of Danes. Throughout the poem he shows characteristics of leadership and he is important to Beowulf because Beowulf feels loyal to him. Hryothgar is also very glad he has Beowulf because Hryothgar is too old to protect his kingdom. In this quote Beowulf is proclaiming, “‘Hail, Hrothygar! / Haglac is my cousin and my king; the days / Of my youth have been filled with glory, Now Grendel’s / Name has echoed through our land:..’” (45, Lines 237-240). This quote shows how great Hrothgar is and how many people including Beowulf respected him.

​Grendel is a powerful monster and demon. He is a descendant of Cain, who is a Biblical character who is banished by God. The narrator talks about how Grendel’s home is in hell and how he is an impatient, angry, and resentful demon. The narrator describes Grendel in detail to portray how evil he really is. The narrator begins to describe Grendel as, “He was spawned in that slime, / Conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished / By God, punished forever for the crime / Of Abel’s death.” (40, Lines 19-23)

​Grendel’s mother is just as evil as her son Grendel. She is also a descendent...