Beowulf (Prologue-X)

Prologue
- Great king, Scyld Scefing, greater than all others and no one would challenge him
- His son, Beowulf, continued the rule earning respect and loyalty
- Beowulf died and was sent to a burial at sea with his ship of treasure
Chapter I
- The kingdom was left to Healfdene who upheld the reputation of the Scyldings
- Healfdene's children were Heorogar. Hrothgar, and Halga
- A great hall, Heorot, was built in honor of Hrothgar's generosity and bravery in battle
- A creature, Grendel-descendent from Cain (giant race who had survived God's flood), heard the music and happiness
Chapter II
- At night, Grendel went to Heorot and took 30 thanes to his lair
- Hrothgar was saddened; it was worse than any other crime
- The thanes lived elsewhere in fear of Grendel and for 12 years he harassed Hrothgar
- Hrothgar couldn't rule upon his throne because no one would approach the hall, in fear of Grendel and his rule over Heorot
- The Sclydings lived in misery and suffered without hope and faith in God
Chapter III
- Hrothgar suffered
- Hygelac of the Geats heard of the wrath of Grendel and his mightiest warriors set sail to Heorot, land of the Danes
- They thanked God for their safe journey
- A Scylding watchman stopped them and demanded to know where they came from and why
- Strangers were very dangerous in Anglo-Saxons times
- Hrothgar remembers Beowulf and his father, Ecgtheow, and are welcomed to Heorot
Chapter IV
- The leader of the Geat sailors says he is the son of Ectheow and that he has heard of Grendel and has came to fight him
- The watchman escorts them to Heorot
Chapter V
- While observing the decorated streets, Wulfgar stops them and asks them their business
- Hrothgar is upon his throne when Wulfgar asks him to speak with Beowulf and his men
Chapter VI
- Hrothgar remembers Beowulf and Ecgtheow descended from the line of Hrethel and has heard about his strength and welcomes Beowulf
- Wulfgar tells the news
- Beowulf greeted Hrothgar, citing his recent defense of the Weders
- He says he will battle Grendel unarmed, and if he fails, Grendel will devour his body but they should send his armour back to Hygelac
Chapter VII
- Hrothgar talks about the war between the Geats and Wylfings: the Geats asked for help when Beowulf's kin killed Heathloaf of the Wylfings. Hrothgar was young, his older brother Heorogar died but the feud was settled when he paid with treasure
- Grendel has brought hate and humiliation to the hall; many warriors have attempted to defeat him but they have failed
Chapter VIII
- Unferth rose to challenge Beowulf; he asks if he did contest with Breca (son of Beanstan) for 7 days in the stormy winter sea where Breca arrived in the land of Brondings
- Beowulf rises to the drunken Unferth and says he has superior strength in the sea; as children he and Breca dared to risk their lives at sea with only a sword against a whale-fish. A flood drove them apart and a creature dragged Beowulf to the bottom where he killed it with a stroke of the sword
Chapter IX
- Beowulf killed 9 sea-monsters and the tide brought him to the land of Finns
- Grendel brought suffering and humiliation to Hrothgar
- Beowulf had no fear of feud from the Danish Clan; in the morning he will know of the might of the Geats
- Hrothgar was happy with Beowulf's commitment; the queen Wealhtheow also thanked him
- Hrothgar wished Beowulf good luck and to seek glory
Chapter X
- A guard keeps watch for monsters and watches Beowulf's possessions
- Beowulf was ready to battle Grendel, unarmed; God would decide the one who is right
- All the warriors slept, except Beowulf who awaited the battle