Beowulf · Chapter
XL: The Messenger of Death explained
A messenger announces Beowulf's death to the Geatish warriors waiting at the cliff-edge, recounting the battle with the dragon and predicting strife with the Franks, Frisians, and Swedes, while recalling past conflicts involving Higelac and
What happens
A messenger announces Beowulf's death to the Geatish warriors waiting at the cliff-edge, recounting the battle with the dragon and predicting strife with the Franks, Frisians, and Swedes, while recalling past conflicts involving Higelac and Ongentheow.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Legacy
Beowulf's death is announced, and the messenger reflects on the legacy of the fallen king and the coming strife.
Pride and Arrogance
The messenger attributes the Swedish attack to 'pride overweening' of the War-Scylfings.
Characters to notice
- Beowulf
Reported dead, lying in death-bed after fighting the dragon.
- Wiglaf
Sitting over Beowulf, keeping watch over the slain hero.
- Higelac
Recalled as having fallen in battle against the Franks in Friesland.
- Ongentheow
Mentioned as the old and terrible Swedish king who killed Haethcyn at Ravenswood.
- Ohthere
Referenced as the son of Ongentheow, whose mother was rescued.
Key passages
“Now the free-giving friend-lord of the folk of the Weders, The folk-prince of Geatmen, is fast in his death-bed, By the deeds of the dragon in death-bed abideth;”
The generous lord of the Geats, their prince, lies dead because of the dragon's attack.
The messenger announces Beowulf's death directly.
“The folk now expecteth A season of strife when the death of the folk-king To Frankmen and Frisians in far-lands is published.”
The people anticipate war once the news of the king's death reaches the Franks and Frisians.
The messenger predicts foreign invasions.