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Study Guide
Bibliography
Course Hero. "Beowulf Study Guide." Course Hero. 25 Aug. 2016. Web. 19 Apr. 2018. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Beowulf/>.
In text
(Course Hero)
Bibliography
Course Hero. (2016, August 25). Beowulf Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved April 19, 2018, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Beowulf/
In text
(Course Hero, 2016)
Bibliography
Course Hero. "Beowulf Study Guide." August 25, 2016. Accessed April 19, 2018. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Beowulf/.
Footnote
Course Hero, "Beowulf Study Guide," August 25, 2016, accessed April 19, 2018, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Beowulf/.
Learn about the characters in the epic poem Beowulf with Course Hero's video study guide.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Beowulf | Beowulf is the poem's brave hero. Read More |
| King Hrothgar | King Hrothgar is the ruler of the Danes and Beowulf's loyal friend. Read More |
| Grendel | Grendel is the evil beast that terrorizes King Hrothgar's men, and whom Beowulf kills. Read More |
| Wealhtheow | Wealhtheow is King Hrothgar's queen and an ambassador of peace. Read More |
| Dragon | The dragon is an evil, fire-breathing creature that fatally wounds Beowulf before his own death. Read More |
| Grendel's Mother | Grendel's mother is a beast that seeks to avenge her son's death and is killed by Beowulf. Read More |
| Wiglaf | Wiglaf is Beowulf's cousin and companion who helps him defeat the dragon. Read More |
| Aeschere | Aeschere is Hrothgar's adviser; he is killed by Grendel's mother. |
| Beow | Beow is Hrothgar's grandfather. |
| Breca | Breca is Beowulf's childhood friend. |
| Ecgtheow | Ecgtheow is Beowulf's father. |
| Finn | Finn is the king of the Frisians. |
| Halfdane | Halfdane is Hrothgar's father. |
| Heardred | Heardred is the son of Hygelac and Hygd. |
| Hildeburh | Hildeburh is King Finn's queen. |
| Hnaef | Hnaef is a Danish ruler; brother of Hildeburh; killed by King Finn. |
| Hrethric | Hrethric is Hrothgar's oldest son and heir until his cousin steals the crown. |
| Hrothulf | Hrothulf is Hrothgar's nephew who Wealhtheow suggests should inherit the crown. |
| Hrothmund | Hrothmund is Hrothgar's second son. |
| Hygd | Hygd is Beowulf's aunt; queen of the Geats. |
| Hygelac | Hygelac is Beowulf's uncle and mentor; king of the Geats. |
| King Heremod | King Heremod is an ancient king who eventually betrayed his subjects. |
| King Hrethel | King Hrethel is the previous king of the Geats; Beowulf's great-uncle and foster father. |
| King Onela | King Onela is a nobleman who seized the Swedish throne; killed by Beowulf. |
| King Ongentheow | King Ongentheow is the Swedish king killed by Eofor; one of Hygelac's thanes. |
| Queen Modthryth | Queen Modthryth is a cruel queen whose behavior sets her up as a foil to Queen Hygd. |
| Shield Sheafson | Shield Sheafson is Hrothgar's great-grandfather, and the founder of his tribe. |
| Sigemund | Sigemund is an ancient warrior and dragon-slayer. |
| Unferth | Unferth is one of Hrothgar's men whose spite for Beowulf grows into admiration. |
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