Beowulf · Chapter
Hrothgar's Gratitude explained
Hrothgar gives thanks to God for Grendel's defeat and praises Beowulf as a son, promising him treasures and love.
What happens
Hrothgar gives thanks to God for Grendel's defeat and praises Beowulf as a son, promising him treasures and love. Beowulf recounts the fight and Grendel's hand displayed in Heorot, while Unferth falls silent.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Valor
Beowulf's recounting of the fight and Hrothgar's praise highlight his heroic deeds and courage.
Fate and Divine Providence
Hrothgar thanks God for the victory, and Beowulf acknowledges that God's will prevented Grendel's full capture.
Good versus Evil
Grendel is described as a hated destroyer and foe, while Beowulf is the agent of good who defeats him.
Characters to notice
- Hrothgar
Delivers a speech of gratitude, praises Beowulf, and promises to love him as a son.
- Beowulf
Responds to Hrothgar, describing the fight and Grendel's hand left behind.
- Unferth
Remains silent after seeing Grendel's hand, ceasing his boasting.
- Grendel
His severed hand is displayed in Heorot as proof of his defeat.
- Ecgtheow
Mentioned as Beowulf's father in the patronymic 'Ecgtheow's offspring'.
Key passages
“For the sight we behold now, thanks to the Wielder Early be offered!”
Let us offer thanks to God for what we see now.
Hrothgar begins his speech by giving thanks to God for Grendel's defeat.
“Now, Beowulf dear, Most excellent hero, I'll love thee in spirit As bairn of my body; bear well henceforward The relationship new.”
I will love you, Beowulf, as if you were my own son, and may you uphold this new bond.
Hrothgar adopts Beowulf as a symbolic son, promising him affection and support.
“Then the soldier kept silent, son of old Ecglaf, From boasting and bragging of battle-achievements.”
Then Unferth, Ecglaf's son, stopped his boasting about his own deeds.
Unferth falls silent after seeing Grendel's hand, humbled by Beowulf's feat.