Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part B

Beowulf fighting the dragon.

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

 Grendel tossed and turned all night. He then heard a noise and spotted Grendel. He was terrified. He couldn’t move.

His warriors didn’t move. It was as if they were under an enchantment. Beowulf and Grendel began to battle. The spell was broken from his sleeping warriors and the woke. They began to fight and there was blood coming from Grendel. The men defeated Grendel and rushed to tell the king and queen.

The king and queen arrived at the scene to officially announce Grendel’s death and they celebrated. They then found the body of Aescher, he was loved by everyone, he was the “wisest of counselors.” They new immediately this was done by Grendel’s mother to avenge his death.

Beowulf set off to find Grendel’s mother to defeat her as well. His men followed, but once they got up to to water’s edge, Beowulf demanded that he was to go alone. He was attacked by many mosters on his journey. Finally, he reached Grendel’s mother. She had hair made of snakes and her mouth was full of green fangs.

She hissed at him, her breath was hot. She had claws for fingers. There was spell that prevented him from hurting her at first. But once he got her into his grip the spell lifted and he was able to attack. He was able to kill her. He floated back up through the water where he came from.

He met his men and they began to feast and drink to celebrate defeating Grendel and his mother. He king was so proud he even called Beowulf his “adopted son.” He had his servants bring Beowulf gifts.

Years past and nothing had come that was greater than Beowulf defeating Grendel. Years past and battles were dull. The time was uneventful. Until a man showed up. He announced that he had just escaped and was looking for a home, but he came across the largest dragon he’d ever seen.

Beowulf prepared for battle. He set off to find the dragon to defeat him. He came face to face with the dragon and they fought tirelessly. Beowulf killed the dragon but he was also defeated in this battle. His last words were that he forgave those who had abandoned him. He went down a legend. They carried his body home. His queen demanded everything be burned in the dragon’s cave. The flames rose in honor of Beowulf, the King of Geatsland.

Bibliography. Strafford Riggs. Beowulf. Web Source.