# Beowulf — Character guide

> Key figures in Beowulf by Anonymous.

- [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/beowulf.md): Geatish hero who comes to Denmark to defeat the monster Grendel and later becomes king.
- [Grendel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendel.md): Monstrous descendant of Cain who terrorizes Heorot until defeated by Beowulf.
- [Hrothgar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothgar.md): Danish king who builds Heorot and seeks Beowulf's help against Grendel.
- [Wiglaf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wiglaf.md): Loyal thane who aids Beowulf in his final battle against the dragon.
- [Higelac](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/higelac.md): King of the Geats and uncle of Beowulf, who receives Beowulf's report of his adventures.
- [Unferth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/unferth.md): Danish thane who taunts Beowulf but later lends him his sword for the fight with Grendel's mother.
- [Grendel's Mother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/grendels_mother.md): Monstrous creature who seeks revenge for her son's death and is slain by Beowulf.
- [Scyld Scefing](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/scyld.md): Legendary founder of the Danish royal line, whose funeral ship opens the poem.
- [Wealhtheow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wealhtheow.md): Queen of the Danes, wife of Hrothgar, who appears at feasts and gifts Beowulf.
- [Hrethel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrethel.md): Former king of the Geats and grandfather of Beowulf, mentioned in Beowulf's reminiscences.
- [Ecgtheow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecgtheow.md): Beowulf's father, who once sought refuge with Hrothgar.
- [Aeschere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/aeschere.md): Hrothgar's trusted counselor, killed by Grendel's mother.
- [Wulfgar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wulfgar.md): Danish herald who announces Beowulf's arrival to Hrothgar.
- [Hrothulf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrothulf.md): Hrothgar's nephew, who later becomes king of the Danes.
- [Healfdene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/healfdene.md): Father of Hrothgar and former Danish king.
- [Finn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/finn.md): Frisian king involved in a tragic feud with the Danes, recounted in a song.
- [Hengest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hengest.md): Danish warrior who stays with Finn after a battle and later avenges his lord.
- [Hnaef](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hnaef.md): Danish lord killed in the Finnsburg battle, uncle of Hengest.
- [Ongentheow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ongentheow.md): Swedish king killed by the Geats in a battle recounted by the messenger.
- [Eofor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/eofor.md): Geatish warrior who slays King Ongentheow in battle.
- [Ohthere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ohthere.md): Son of Ongentheow and Swedish prince mentioned in the messenger's speech.
- [Wihstan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wihstan.md): Father of Wiglaf, a warrior of the Geats mentioned in the dragon fight.
- [Ecglaf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ecglaf.md): Father of Unferth, mentioned only in patronymic context.
- [Hrethric](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/hrethric.md): Son of Hrothgar, mentioned as a young prince at the Danish court.
- [Heregar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/heregar.md): Older brother of Hrothgar, briefly mentioned as a former Danish king.
- [Daeghrefn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/daegrefn.md): Frankish warrior killed by Beowulf, mentioned in Beowulf's boast.
- [Heatholaf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/heatholaf.md): Warrior of the Wylfings killed by Ecgtheow, causing the feud.
- [Sigmund](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/sigmund.md): Legendary hero whose story is sung by the scop at Heorot.
- [Wulf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wulf.md): Geatish warrior who fights in the battle against Ongentheow.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beowulf_se/characters