Beowulf

Beowulf was the Germanic hero who slew two water monster. He was said to be the nephew of the king of Geats, whom some interpret as the Jutes. His story is set in Denmark...

One night a dreadful creature known as a Grendel came to the Hall of King Hrothgar and ate one of his sleeping warriors. Although invulnerable to weapons, Grendel was seized by a visiting warrior by the name of Beowulf. The grim and greedy, brutally cruel Grendal was held in a powerful grip, from which it could only break away by losing an arm. Mortally wounded, the water monster fled to its home, deep in a nearby lake, and bled to death.

Delighted by this feat of courage and strength, King Hrothgar loaded Beowulf with gifts, since his kingdom had been rid of a menace. But neither the king nor the warrior reckoned on Grendel's mother, an even more dreadful creature. The monsterous merwoman returned to the scene of the attack and ate another sleeping warrior. In persuit, Beowulf followed her into a lake and dived down to the crystal cavern of her underwater den. Grieving for the death of her son the merwoman fought with frenzy. A desperate struggle ensued in which Beowulf lost his trusty sword. Like Arthur, he was fortunate to find another magic weapon in the water. Beowulf battled calmly and was able to take Grendel's mother by surprise.

Having once again saved King Hrothgar's kingdom from danger, Beowulf returned home to southern Sweden were his father ruled. Towards the end of his popular reign a dragon attacked his land. Going out with twelve followers to slay the fiery beast, Beowulf soon found himself almost on his own, for all his companions but one ran away in terror. Even in his old age, he tackeled the fire-breathing dragon with amazing abilities. Yet neither his might nor his fabled armour, crafted by Wayland, could withstand the dragon's crushing teeth. Beowulf was mortally wounded in the combat, but he did not die before seeing the dragon's treasure bestowed upon his people.

In contrast to the Celtic myths that describe combat with watergiants, the Germanic stories tell of heros who face actual monsters rather then magical opponents. This quite unlike the great Ulster hero and champion Cuchulainn's beheading contest with Uath, or Sir Gawain's with the Green Knight, for in these traditions their monstrous opponents were able to restore themselves to life after they had been decapitated.

Beowulf the Movie