# Hrothgar's Gratitude explained — Beowulf

> Chapter companion for Beowulf by Anonymous.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xv-hrothgar-s-gratitude
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/chapters