What is the plot of Beowulf?

Plot Overview. When Beowulf is an old man, however, a thief disturbs a barrow, or mound, where a great dragon lies guarding a horde of treasure. Enraged, the dragon emerges from the barrow and begins unleashing fiery destruction upon the Geats. Sensing his own death approaching, Beowulf goes to fight the dragon.

Who wrote Beowulf?

Beowulf is an epic poem written in Old English by an anonymous author around the year 1000 CE. While most of the poem was discovered intact, some of it had been destroyed, likely burned in a fire. The 1999 translation by the acclaimed Irish poet Seamus Heaney won the Whitbread Award, and was praised for its freshness and accessibility.

What happens to Beowulf when he is an old man?

When Beowulf is an old man, however, a thief disturbs a barrow, or mound, where a great dragon lies guarding a horde of treasure. Enraged, the dragon emerges from the barrow and begins unleashing fiery destruction upon the Geats.

Who is the Last Hero in Beowulf?

Set against the coming of Christianity, this is the story of the last hero: in 507, a monstrous troll wreaks havoc in the mead hall of Danish King Hrothgar (Sir Anthony Hopkins). He offers rewards for the death of Grendel (Crispin Glover), so Beowulf (Ray Winstone), a great and boastful Geat warrior, arrives with his thanes.

In a besieged land, Beowulf must battle against the hideous creature Grendel and his vengeance seeking mother. This post-apocalyptic future story is based on the 8th century Saxon epic poem about the knight who battled a monster in a medieval castle.

What does Beowulf have to do in a besieged land?

In a besieged land, Beowulf must battle against the hideous creature Grendel and his vengeance seeking mother. In a besieged land, Beowulf must battle against the hideous creature Grendel and his vengeance seeking mother. In a besieged land, Beowulf must battle against the hideous creature Grendel and his vengeance seeking mother.

What happens to Beowulf after he becomes king?

Poem Summary. After more celebration and gifts and a sermon by Hrothgar warning of the dangers of pride and the mutability of time, Beowulf and his men return to Geatland. There he serves his king well until Hygelac is killed in battle and his son dies in a feud. Beowulf is then named king and rules successfully for 50 years.

How does Beowulf kill the Dragon in the poem?

Poem Summary. Beowulf insists on taking on the dragon alone, but his own sword, Naegling, is no match for the monster. Seeing his king in trouble, one thane, Wiglaf, goes to his assistance. The others flee to the woods. Together, Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon, but the mighty king is mortally wounded.