Beowulf: riassunti

BEOWULF: RIASSUNTI

Chapter 1

Danish kings were always known as brave men. The first was Shield Sheafson, who was succeeded by his son, Beow. When he died, his successor Halfdane had three sons: Heorogar, Hrothgar and Alga. The most prestigious was Hrothgar , who ordered to built a big hall, called "the palace of Heorot", to hold magnificent feasts with his people. Unfortunately, the longstanding peace was broken by a monstrous beast, called Grendel, which started to seed panic among the population by killing many persons every night in the hall. The demon terrified the Hrothgar's kingdom for twelve long years, until the king of Geatland, Hygelac, sent his best warrior, Beowulf to help Hrothgar.

Chapter 2

Beowulf was a man of incredible strength and bravery. Arrived in presence of Hrothgar, he offered his power to the service of the king to destroy the monster. He was determined to fight Grendel without weapons, only with his hands. But there were someone in the hall who was not fully convinced of his promise: Unferth. Instead, Hrothgar immediately believed in the incredible warrior came from the ocean to save Danish people.

Chapter 3

After a propitiatory banquet, Beowulf and Geats remained to control the hall. Actually during the night, as usual, Grendel, covered up by the obscurity, came and silently killed a man. Beowulf, as soon as he saw the demon, started fighting him and, at the end an hard challenge, the hero gripped the beast which shouted for the pain. Then, he pulled out one arm and a shoulder of the monster. Before Beowulf could definitely kill Grendel, the monster managed to escape and die out of the palace. The day after everybody could see the Grendel bloody tracks and ascertain its death. Hrotghar promised Beowulf and his warriors a lot of treasures.

Chapter 4

During the day the king organized a big party to the honour of the hero, and everyone was happy and grateful to Beowulf. But the massacres were not yet come to an end. During the night, while everyone was cheerfully sleeping, a second monster entered  the hall and killed a man named Aeschere, the best friend of the king. This latter monster was Grendel's mother came to avenge the death of the son. She took what was left of Grendel's body and dashed off the palace. It became evident that there was another challange for Beowulf.

Chapter 5

The day after, Beowulf and his little army entered the forest to seek out the refuge of Grendel's mother. The monster lived in a lake, full of snakes and demonic creatures.  Beowulf decided he had to fight the beast alone, he wore his armour and helmet and the sword that Unferth had given him and dived in the lake. After a day of swimming he reached the deep of the lake and started fighting with the demon. The battle was terrible, and only after numerous efforts Beowulf managed to kill the monster, cutting her head.

Chapter 6

In the meantime, the Geats were really concerned about their leader, and when Beowulf came out from the water holding the head of the demon they were joyful. Of course, also the king was very happy, but he recommended Beowulf not to be overmuch proud for his power, because it wouldn't be eternal.

Chapter 7

Beowulf and his warriors now wanted to came back in their land, because the have achieved their aim. Before leaving, the Geat hero thanked Hrotghar for the hospitality and promised to help Danes every time they were in trouble. The king thanked him for everything he has done to save his kingdom. The Geats left by their boats and upon arriving home king Hygelac was cheerful to see them safe. In fact he was concerned about them and asked a lot of questions about the difficult battle against the monsters. At the end Beowulf delivered him all the presents he received from Hrotghar.

Chapter 8

Many years later, Hygelac died in a battle and Beowulf took his place as king of Geatland His kingdom lived on peacefully for fifty years, until Beowulf had to face the last trial of his life: the long sleep of a dragon, since years custodian of many treasures belonged to a noble family, was broken by a man who stole a gold cup from the cave of the animal. Though Beowulf was aware it would be his last battle, he fighted against the dragon, but before entering into the cavern, he said "goodbye" to his Geat warriors.

Chapter 9

The fight was very hard and difficult for Beowulf who could see his death in front of him. During the battle the only one who helped the hero was Wiglaff, a young fearless warrior. Together they managed to kill the dragon, but at the during the challenge Beowulf suffered mortal injuries and he was going to die. The last wish of the king was to see the treasures and to built a sepulchre near the coast in his glory after his death.

Chapter 10

At last Beowulf passed away and a magnificent funeral was celebrate to remember the incredible hero. Finally the Geats laid aside Beowulf's corpse into a sepulchre built on a cliff. Beowulf lied among his weapons, which had accompanied him in his battle and, the treasure of the dragon. Geats at that moment could say that Beowulf was the best king in the world!