num_pages: 2
description: Eighth-century in origin, composed to be recited aloud, it told its Anglo-Saxon listeners a story of their Scandanavian ancestors. It celebrates the hero Beowulf, who goes to Denmark and slays the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother. He later becomes king of Geatland, and in old age meets death in combat with a dragon. Blending history with legend and richly allusive in its narrative, "Beowulf" portrays an epic conflict of good and evil, generosity and vengeance, life and death.
language: English
title: Beowulf
titlecomplete: Beowulf
characters: Breca, Wealhtheow, Unferth, Onela, Hrothgar, Beowulf, Wiglaf, Grendel
genres: Literature, Classics, School, Mythology, Medieval, High School, Fiction, Poetry, Read For School, Fantasy
ratings_count: 295583
places: Geatland, Denmark, Sweden
publisher: Penguin Audio