Character guide

Beowulf

major

Also known as Beowulf Geatman, The Geatman

Geatish hero who comes to Denmark to defeat the monster Grendel and later becomes king.

Grendel

major

Also known as Hrothgar Grendel

Monstrous descendant of Cain who terrorizes Heorot until defeated by Beowulf.

Hrothgar

major

Also known as King Hrothgar, O gracious King Hrothgar, Hrothgar the gracious

Danish king who builds Heorot and seeks Beowulf's help against Grendel.

Wiglaf

supporting

Also known as XLII Wiglaf

Loyal thane who aids Beowulf in his final battle against the dragon.

Higelac

supporting

Also known as King Higelac, Geatish Higelac

King of the Geats and uncle of Beowulf, who receives Beowulf's report of his adventures.

Unferth

supporting

Also known as Beowulf Unferth

Danish thane who taunts Beowulf but later lends him his sword for the fight with Grendel's mother.

Grendel's Mother

supporting

Monstrous creature who seeks revenge for her son's death and is slain by Beowulf.

Scyld Scefing

minor

Also known as Scyld Lo

Legendary founder of the Danish royal line, whose funeral ship opens the poem.

Wealhtheow

minor

Queen of the Danes, wife of Hrothgar, who appears at feasts and gifts Beowulf.

Hrethel

minor

Former king of the Geats and grandfather of Beowulf, mentioned in Beowulf's reminiscences.

Ecgtheow

minor

Also known as Ecgtheow titled

Beowulf's father, who once sought refuge with Hrothgar.

Aeschere

minor

Hrothgar's trusted counselor, killed by Grendel's mother.

Wulfgar

minor

Danish herald who announces Beowulf's arrival to Hrothgar.

Hrothulf

minor

Also known as good Hrothulf

Hrothgar's nephew, who later becomes king of the Danes.

Healfdene

minor

Also known as King Healfdene, Kinsman of Healfdene

Father of Hrothgar and former Danish king.

Finn

minor

Also known as Finn unto Hengest

Frisian king involved in a tragic feud with the Danes, recounted in a song.

Hengest

minor

Danish warrior who stays with Finn after a battle and later avenges his lord.

Hnaef

minor

Danish lord killed in the Finnsburg battle, uncle of Hengest.

Ongentheow

minor

Swedish king killed by the Geats in a battle recounted by the messenger.

Eofor

minor

Geatish warrior who slays King Ongentheow in battle.

Ohthere

minor

Son of Ongentheow and Swedish prince mentioned in the messenger's speech.

Wihstan

minor

Father of Wiglaf, a warrior of the Geats mentioned in the dragon fight.

Ecglaf

minor

Also known as old Ecglaf

Father of Unferth, mentioned only in patronymic context.

Hrethric

minor

Son of Hrothgar, mentioned as a young prince at the Danish court.

Heregar

minor

Also known as King Heregar

Older brother of Hrothgar, briefly mentioned as a former Danish king.

Daeghrefn

minor

Frankish warrior killed by Beowulf, mentioned in Beowulf's boast.

Heatholaf

minor

Warrior of the Wylfings killed by Ecgtheow, causing the feud.

Sigmund

minor

Legendary hero whose story is sung by the scop at Heorot.

Wulf

minor

Geatish warrior who fights in the battle against Ongentheow.