In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominantly by his feats of strength and courage, including his fabled swimming match against Breca. His defeat of Grendel and Grendel’s mother validates his reputation for bravery and establishes him fully as a hero.

How does Beowulf establish himself as a hero?

In his youth, Beowulf is a great warrior, characterized predominantly by his feats of strength and courage, including his fabled swimming match against Breca. His defeat of Grendel and Grendel’s mother validates his reputation for bravery and establishes him fully as a hero.

What is the story Beowulf all about?

The story is set in Scandinavia in the 6th century. Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by a monster known as Grendel. After Beowulf slays him, Grendel’s mother attacks the hall and is then also defeated.

Why did Beowulf fight Grendel’s mother?

Hrothgar asked Beowulf to battle Grendel’s mother because the king believed he was the only man capable of dealing with such monsters. This was because Beowulf had earlier succeeded in mortally wounding Grendel. Grendel’s mother is grieving for the loss of her son, so she seeks revenge and attacks Herot.

Why Is Beowulf relevant today?

Even though Beowulf dates back to a very different era, the poem itself not only gives modern day readers a historical view of Anglo-Saxon life, but it also emphasizes on innate human characteristics and themes of life that are universal and therefore is pertinent to modern day readers.