Eofor

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## Background

Eofor (Proto-Norse Eburaz), son of Wonred, was a Gaeitish Warrior first described by Beowulf in line 2486 while he is telling stories of previous wars between the Geats and the Swedes. Beowulf describes Eofor and his brother Wulf as unrelenting, refusing to make peace, campaigning violently from coast to coast, constantly setting up terrible ambushes while fighting the Swedes. Eofor is credited for killing the Swedish king Ongenþeow. Eofor and Wulf were greatly rewarded for their fighting in the war, but Eofor was given the daughter of Hygelac to wed.

Eofor is also Old English for "boar". It's possible that in later stories the name Eofor was mistranslated as a literal boar that killed the Swedish King.

J.R.R Tolkien, who studied Beowulf, used the name Eofor for a prince of a warrior people in the history of The Lord of the Rings.

## Strengths

Eofor is only mentioned briefly but is described as strong, fearless, and unrelenting warrior who goes in to battle against the Swedes and manages to take down the Swedish king, Ongenþeow. He is also described as violent and capable of terrible ambushes while fighting the swedes.

## Weaknesses

When Beowulf describes Eofor he does not list any weaknesses. The only mention of character traits are of his strengths. Because of how little Eofor is mentioned in the epic *Beowulf*, there is not much discussion of the character in scholarly papers.

## Role in *Beowulf*

Eofor's role in *Beowulf* is first as part of a story Beowulf is telling his warriors before they go off in to battle with the dragon. The story is used to reminisce of his past accomplishments while also hyping up his warriors to fight. Later during Beowulf's last moments and eventual death, flashbacks to Hygelac's war against Ongentheow are depicted with Eofor and Wulf there fighting Ongentheow to the death. This story shows themes of death and defeat similar to Beowulf's own eventual downfall.

It is stated that Beowulf's helmet had a "boar-shape" engraved on it and as well as other mentions of boar symbols. The boar is seen a symbol of strength, courage, and protection. Boar's are the strongest and most feared creature in the forest. The boar is strong and violent in nature much like Beowulf and other characters in the poem. Beowulf recalling the story of Eofor could be seen as him summoning the courage needed to go to battle or hoping for the protection needed to slay the dragon.

## Lines

Old English

* Eofores niosað. Guðhelm toglad, gomela Scylfing hreas hildeblac; hond gemunde fæhðo genoge, feorhsweng ne ofteah.(2486-2489)
* Eafores anne dom. Hyne yrringa Wulf Wonreding wæpne geræhte, (2963-2966)
* bradne mece, þa his broðor læg, eald sweord eotonisc, entiscne helm brecan ofer bordweal; ða gebeah cyning, folces hyrde, wæs in feorh dropen. (2977-2981)
* Iofore ond Wulfe mid ofermaðmum, sealde hiora gehwæðrum hund þusenda landes ond locenra beaga (ne ðorfte him ða lean oðwitan mon on middangearde), (2991-2995)
* ond ða Iofore forgeaf angan dohtor, hamweorðunge, hyldo to wedde. (2997-2998)

Translation

* When Eofor cleft the old Swede's helmet, halved it open, he fell, death-pale: his feud-calloused hand could not stave off the fatal stroke. (Heaney 2486-2489)
* And it came to pass that the king's fate was in Eofor's hands, and in his alone. (Heaney 2963-2966)
* With his brother down, the undaunted Eofor, Hygelac's thane, hefted his sword and smashed murderously at the massive helmet past the lifted shield. (Heaney 2977-2981)
* For their bravery in action, when they arrived home Eofor and Wulf were overloaded by Hrethel's son, Hygelac the Geat, with gifts of land and linked rings that were worth a fortune. (Heaney 2991-2995)
* And he gave Eofor his only daughter to bide at home with him, an honour and a bond. (Heaney 2997-2998)

## References

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. Translated by Seamus Heaney. Norton, 2000.

Gutiérrez Barco, M. (2019). The Boar in Beowulf and Elene: A Germanic Symbol of Protection. *SELIM. Journal of the Spanish Society for Medieval English Language and Literature.*, *9*(1), 163-171. https://doi.org/10.17811/selim.9.1999.163-171

Dalfonso, D. (2016, April 16). The Boar, Beowulf, and Grendel’s Mother. Retrieved February 08, 2021, from https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/eng2800hmwa2016spring/?p=106