An Epical Drama of Anglo-Saxon Times. Possibly a Danish cleric, possibly Northumbrian. 3181 Lines in late Wessex dialect. It was partially burned in 1731. It is a story of Scandinavian kings and heroes, but infused with Christianity into heroic tradition.
Social unit is the family.
His destiny is tied to that of his people or those he defends. It is both heroic and elegiac. Whoever set down Beowulf was probably a Christian clergyman with Norse sympathies and interests. He is unknown and referred to simply as the Beowulf Poet. Probably based on actual persons and events in 6th century Germanic cultures.