Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet somewhere between the eighth and eleventh century. It fell into obscurity for decades and was found again and printed in 1815.
The story follows the hero of the Geats in Scandinavia, Beowulf, who comes to the aid of the king of the Danes. King Hroogar’s mead hall has been attacked by a monster called Grendel.
Beowulf slays the monster but is then attacked by the monster’s mother, who is simply known as Grendel’s mother. He is victorious once again.
Beowulf goes home to Geatland and becomes king. Fifty years later, he defeats a dragon but is fatally wounded.
This poem was the inspiration for a movie in 2007, however it has significant changes.
Beowulf is the seventh book in Classics month.
Beowulf can be found in your local library, the website for the Bergen County Cooperative Library System can be found here or at your local Barnes and Noble in Hackensack.
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