Reading Notes, Beowulf Part B:
Grendel Attacks:
Beowulf awoken one day with a lethargic feeling and heavy mindset. It was foggy outside and the entire setting made Beowulf seem dazed and confused. In the distance, a beast came through the fog and it made loud grunts almost like that of a hog. As the fog parted and the moonlight crept in, a gigantic shadow made its way through the forest. The beast made its way to the great Heorot hall, and stood in front of the door. Beowulf and the other Geatish earls lay sleeping inside. The beast was Grendel. As Grendel got closer to the door, he sent out a spell that made those sleeping inside fall into a deeper sleep. Beowulf however was able to counteract the spell as he was already slightly awake. Grendel broke down the massive door and Beowulf quickly jolted awake. Beowulf saw the monster through the haziness, and as he got up out of bed, he struggled to get to the beast. When he laid his dreary eyes on the beast, he collected the full magnitude of how immensely large Grendel was. He was struck with horror. He saw that the beast had started to devour the young Hondscio. Beowulf was aggravated but could not move due to the spell. He watched as Grendel finished consuming Hondscio. The beast quickly shifted his eyes towards Beowulf's direction. Grendel inched forwards and Beowulf gathered the strength to leap up from his sleepy state.
The Battle with Grendel:
As Grendel reached Beowulf, they began battling in silence. None of the guards in all of Heorot Hall awoken, as they were still in the deep sleep that had been cast on them by the beast. As the battle continued, both Beowulf and Grendel struggled to get any advantage over the other. Then as Beowulf's foot slipped, Grendel's grip loosened and they both crashed to the floor. Grendel retreated into the night as quickly as Beowulf could reclaim his stature. Beowulf knew that it was now or never and lunged at the beast. Grendel moved quickly, but the great warrior was able to land a mighty blow to the beasts back, causing the beast to fall heavily to the ground. As Beowulf landed, he was covered in sweat, and noticed the beast was oozing a slimy sap like substance that was said to have smelled like vinegar. As distressing as this was, Beowulf stayed locked onto the beasts arm, and slowly began ripping Grendel's arm off his body. Beowulf ripped the arm off, and Grendel let out a loud shriek. At this point the sleeping spell was lifted, and all the other guards quickly came to Beowulf's attention. Beowulf quickly fell onto the ground, and the beast escaped. As morning came, all those in Heorot hall awoke to see Beowulf clenching the arm of the immense beast.
A New Misfortune:
Upon the late morning, the king and queen entered and gave praise to Beowulf. They celebrated with a large feast and all slept soundly that evening. The next morning, a messenger arrived in front of the gates of the castle. He was brought to the king and queen, and once he had his audience, he told them that his lord Aescher, was consumed and left in fragments in his own home just on the outskirts of Heorot. The queen quickly realized what had happened and went to Beowulf at once. She told him that this was the work of Grendel's mother, and that now the entirety of Heorot was in danger. One of the earls came forward and spoke to Beowulf. He told him that he was ashamed that he had ever doubted the great warrior's [Beowulf] strength and gifted Beowulf with his magic sword. Beowulf embraced the man and they became friends at this moment. Beowulf quickly readied himself and then set his goals on the mother of Grendel.
Bibliography: Strafford Riggs, The Story of Beowulf, Beowulf
Beowulf awoken one day with a lethargic feeling and heavy mindset. It was foggy outside and the entire setting made Beowulf seem dazed and confused. In the distance, a beast came through the fog and it made loud grunts almost like that of a hog. As the fog parted and the moonlight crept in, a gigantic shadow made its way through the forest. The beast made its way to the great Heorot hall, and stood in front of the door. Beowulf and the other Geatish earls lay sleeping inside. The beast was Grendel. As Grendel got closer to the door, he sent out a spell that made those sleeping inside fall into a deeper sleep. Beowulf however was able to counteract the spell as he was already slightly awake. Grendel broke down the massive door and Beowulf quickly jolted awake. Beowulf saw the monster through the haziness, and as he got up out of bed, he struggled to get to the beast. When he laid his dreary eyes on the beast, he collected the full magnitude of how immensely large Grendel was. He was struck with horror. He saw that the beast had started to devour the young Hondscio. Beowulf was aggravated but could not move due to the spell. He watched as Grendel finished consuming Hondscio. The beast quickly shifted his eyes towards Beowulf's direction. Grendel inched forwards and Beowulf gathered the strength to leap up from his sleepy state.
The Battle with Grendel:
As Grendel reached Beowulf, they began battling in silence. None of the guards in all of Heorot Hall awoken, as they were still in the deep sleep that had been cast on them by the beast. As the battle continued, both Beowulf and Grendel struggled to get any advantage over the other. Then as Beowulf's foot slipped, Grendel's grip loosened and they both crashed to the floor. Grendel retreated into the night as quickly as Beowulf could reclaim his stature. Beowulf knew that it was now or never and lunged at the beast. Grendel moved quickly, but the great warrior was able to land a mighty blow to the beasts back, causing the beast to fall heavily to the ground. As Beowulf landed, he was covered in sweat, and noticed the beast was oozing a slimy sap like substance that was said to have smelled like vinegar. As distressing as this was, Beowulf stayed locked onto the beasts arm, and slowly began ripping Grendel's arm off his body. Beowulf ripped the arm off, and Grendel let out a loud shriek. At this point the sleeping spell was lifted, and all the other guards quickly came to Beowulf's attention. Beowulf quickly fell onto the ground, and the beast escaped. As morning came, all those in Heorot hall awoke to see Beowulf clenching the arm of the immense beast.
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| Grendel and Beowulf credit: flickr |
A New Misfortune:
Upon the late morning, the king and queen entered and gave praise to Beowulf. They celebrated with a large feast and all slept soundly that evening. The next morning, a messenger arrived in front of the gates of the castle. He was brought to the king and queen, and once he had his audience, he told them that his lord Aescher, was consumed and left in fragments in his own home just on the outskirts of Heorot. The queen quickly realized what had happened and went to Beowulf at once. She told him that this was the work of Grendel's mother, and that now the entirety of Heorot was in danger. One of the earls came forward and spoke to Beowulf. He told him that he was ashamed that he had ever doubted the great warrior's [Beowulf] strength and gifted Beowulf with his magic sword. Beowulf embraced the man and they became friends at this moment. Beowulf quickly readied himself and then set his goals on the mother of Grendel.
Bibliography: Strafford Riggs, The Story of Beowulf, Beowulf
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