Classics Summarized: Beowulf

Beowulf: Introduction

Beowulf is one of the oldest surviving English texts, written over a thousand years ago.
It is written in Old English, which is different from the Early Modern English used by Shakespeare.
Chaucer's Middle English is also different from Old English.
In terms of understanding the real Old English, Beowulf is the way to go.

"Beowulf is one of the oldest surviving English texts, written over a thousand years ago."

Beowulf: Drive-by exposition

Beowulf is a remarkably short story when you strip away the extraneous text.
The writing style of the time involved frequent changes in direction and the inclusion of complex historical contexts.
These digressions explain everything from lines of great kings to a small pile of gold.
So, when you remove all that extraneous information, you're left with a nice, simple story.

"Beowulf is a remarkably short story when you strip away the extraneous text."

"The writing style of the time involved frequent changes in direction and the inclusion of complex historical contexts."

Beowulf: Summary of the story

Beowulf is a story about one man who defeats three giant monsters, becomes the king of a small country, and serves as inspiration for the coolest parts of Tolkien's works and Skyrim.
The simplicity of the story and the brevity of the text allow for an in-depth exploration of its peculiarities.

"Beowulf is a story about one man who defeats three giant monsters, becomes the king of a small country, and serves as inspiration for the coolest parts of Tolkien's works and Skyrim."

"The simplicity of the story and the brevity of the text allow for an in-depth exploration of its peculiarities."

Beowulf: The name

"Beowulf" literally means "Bee Wolf," which can be translated to "Beeslayer" or simply "Bear."
This highlights the fun and interesting background information associated with the story.

"'Beowulf' literally means 'Bee Wolf,' which can be translated to 'Beeslayer' or simply 'Bear.'"

Beowulf and Hrothgar's Plan

Hrothgar has known Beowulf since he was a child, and Beowulf has gained fame by killing monsters.
Hrothgar asks Beowulf about his plan to deal with Grendel.
Beowulf suggests fighting Grendel without weapons, as Grendel is not a warrior who uses weapons.

"Well, you see, I've been thinking. Grendel isn't really a warrior because he doesn't use weapons, right? So, I think it's only fair that when we fight, I don't use weapons either!"

Celebrating the Upcoming Battle

In early Scandinavian cultures, a battle with a terrifying monster was a reason to celebrate.
They have a wild party in Heorot, but one warrior doubts Beowulf's abilities.
Unferth, the doubter, mentions Beowulf losing a swimming race against his friend Breca.

"Hey Beowulf! I heard you lost a week-long swimming race against your buddy Breca! How in the world can I expect a loser like you to defeat Grendel?"

Beowulf's Response to Doubt

Beowulf admits that he lost the swimming race to Breca while wearing a full suit of armor.
Beowulf defends himself by mentioning the nine sea monsters he killed on his way.

"I'm afraid it's true. After a week of swimming in full armor, I can't claim that I beat Breca. But in my defense, I was a bit slowed down by the nine sea monsters I killed along the way! Ooooooo!"

Beowulf's Preparation for Battle

Beowulf dumps all his armor and weapons, preparing for the fight with Grendel.
He waits in Heorot, ready for Grendel to arrive.
Grendel soon breaks open the door and confronts Beowulf.

"And soon, Grendel breaks down the door and comes face to face with Beowulf."

Beowulf's Victory over Grendel

Beowulf and Grendel engage in a brutal battle, tearing Heorot apart.
Beowulf triumphs by ripping off Grendel's arm with his bare hands.

"And they proceed to pummel each other for quite some time, tearing Heorot to pieces, until Beowulf finishes Grendel off by tearing his arm off. Hah! He's... disarmed."

Grendel's Retreat and Beowulf's Reward

Grendel, injured, flees back to the lake to bleed out peacefully.
Beowulf presents Grendel's arm to Hrothgar, hanging it as a trophy in Heorot.
Beowulf is rewarded by Hrothgar with great honors, access to his halls and equipment.

"So, night falls, and Beowulf prepares for the upcoming battle by dumping all of his armor and weapons and waits in Heorot until Grendel comes stomping by. And soon, Grendel breaks down the door and comes face to face with Beowulf. And they proceed to pummel each other for quite some time, tearing Heorot to pieces, until Beowulf finishes Grendel off by tearing his arm off. Hah! He's... disarmed. So, Grendel goes flipping out and runs back to the lake to bleed peacefully, and Beowulf presents Grendel's arm to Hrothgar, who hangs it up on the rafters of Heorot. And after completing the 'Kill Grendel' quest, King Hrothgar showers Beowulf with rewards, granting him access to his halls and equipment, and probably even lets him buy a house in Whiterun."

Unferth's Apology and Beowulf's Gift

Unferth apologizes for doubting Beowulf's abilities and offers him an heirloom sword, Hrunting, as a gift.
They all work together to repair Heorot and then proceed to get drunk in their newly restored mead hall.

"Unferth, that guy from earlier, apologizes for doubting Beowulf's abilities and offers him an ancient heirloom sword called Hrunting as an apology gift. They all fix up Heorot and then proceed to get blind drunk in the newly restored mead hall."

Damascus Steel and Beowulf's Legacy (t:478)

Despite modern efforts, reconstructing the techniques used to create Damascus steel has proven difficult and has yielded increasingly strange results (t:478).
The allure of Damascus steel lies not only in its incredible appearance, resembling liquid metal, but also in the discovery of carbon nanotubes within its blades (t:487, 491-493).
Beowulf, the legendary hero, takes center stage as the story moves forward (t:497).

"Elke keer als we het proberen vinden we steeds vreemdere en vreemdere dingen aan Damascusstaal. Waardoor we nog meer willen weten hoe we het moeten maken."

"Beowulf, the legendary hero, takes center stage as the story moves forward."

Beowulf Becomes King (t:498)

King Hygelac and his kin meet their demise, leaving Beowulf to become king of the Geats (t:498).
Beowulf's reign remains incident-free for a sturdy 50 years (t:503).

"Dus koning Hygelac en zijn naasten gaan er aan en Beowulf wordt koning van de Goten."

"Dus hij regeert zonder incidenten voor een stevige 50 jaar."

The Dragon and Beowulf's Final Challenge (t:511)

A random person incites the wrath of a dragon by stealing a cup from its hoard, thus leading Beowulf to face another monster (t:511).
The dragon had been peacefully residing in a treasure-filled burial mound belonging to an ancient and noble race (t:513-517).
The dragon's rage prompts it to burn down Beowulf's house, sparking a personal vendetta (t:542)

"Voor de achtergrond, de draak had de afgelopen God-weet-hoe-lang gekoeld in een grafheuvel vol met goud."

"De draak maakt de verkeerde Goot kwaad als hij Beowulfs huis in brand steekt."

Beowulf's Battle with the Dragon (t:545)

Beowulf, along with twelve companions, embarks on a quest to find and confront the dragon (t:548).
Wiglaf, one of Beowulf's blood relatives, stands as the sole companion who remains to aid him in battle (t:572).
Beowulf utilizes the sword Naegling, a shining heirloom gifted to him by King Hygelac, in his fight against the dragon (t:562-567).
Despite the sword's initial promise, it shatters after a mere three seconds of combat (t:567).
Most of Beowulf's comrades flee, except for loyal Wiglaf, who deals a critical blow to the dragon (t:572-595).

"Dus Beowulf doet dit ding, en besluit de draak uit te dagen voor een een-op-een gevecht."

"God, ze gaan hier door zwaarden heen alsof het koffiefilters zijn."

Beowulf's Final Moments (t:605)

Beowulf, although resilient against his gaping neck wound, falls victim to the deadly dragon's venom (t:608).
With his dying breath, Beowulf implores Wiglaf to retrieve the treasure from the dragon's hoard, desiring one final glimpse of the riches he had won (t:611-620).
Wiglaf complies, bringing back a wealth of treasures, and Beowulf bids him farewell, acknowledging Wiglaf as the next king (t:620-624).
Beowulf's funeral, accompanied by the burial of the dragon's treasure, marks the end of an era (t:627-634).

"Maar het dodelijke drakengif daarentegen kan zeker een probleem vormen."

"Dus Wiglaf glipt de grafheuvel in en komt terug met een arm vol van de glimmendste van de schatten."