Beowulf
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Beowulf is portrayed as a strong and powerful warrior willing to take on any challenge to make a name for himself. He is one of the main characters of this writing. Beowulf is part of a tribe called the Greats. Leading a group of Greatish warriors, Beowulf sails to the land of the Spear-Danes, where he offers his services to king Hrothgar. Beowulf battles the man-eating Grendel first, then his mother, defending the Danes from these vicious monsters. Like any ideal hero, Beowulf defeats them both. Beowulf then returns to the Greatland and refuses the crown after the death of his uncle, King Hygelac. Incidentally, Beowulf becomes King anyway after Hygelac's son, Herdred, was killed in battle. Beowulf reigns for fifty years, protecting his people from their enemies ("Beowulf.").
Grendel
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Grendel is a man-eating demon that lives in the land of the Spear-Danes. Grendel is a descendant of the Biblical Cain, meaning he is connected with one of the worst things possible in tribal culture - the murder of a brother. But at points in the poem, Grendel seems less like a Biblical figure and more like a demon. Grendel returns to King Hrothgar's mead-hall every evening and attacks men. His motivation comes from anger that he cannot experience the works of God because of his demonic nature, and for this reason, he slaughters the Danes and feeds on their corpses after tearing them to pieces. Grendel cannot be harmed by any edged weapon, but sees his last day when Beowulf takes him on, one on one, in a fight with no weapons but his bare hands ("Grendel."). Beowulf manages to tear off Grendel's arm, and mortally wounded, Grendel flees to his cave to die ("Raffel...").
King Hrothgar
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King Hrothgar is king of the Spear-Danes when Beowulf arrives in their land. Although Hrothgar was once a mighty warrior back in the day, at the time Beowulf, Hrothgar was an old king, and no longer able to protect his people from the demon Grendel. That's where Beowulf comes in, ready to aid the king by defeating the demons that stalk his land. Though unable to fight, King Hrothgar practices another custom which gains him loyalty - ring-giving. Hrothgar generously distributes rewards including gold, armor, rings, and horses, to warriors who support him, both Dane and Great ("King...").
Wiglaf
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Wiglaf represents courage and loyalty. He is a young Greatish warrior who follows Beowulf to the barrow where the dragon is. When all of Beowulf's other lords abandon him, Wiglaf remains loyal to his king, encouraging and supporting him. It was only with Wiglaf's help that Beowulf was able to defeat the dragon. As Beowulf is dying, he gives his golden necklace, called a torque, to Wiglaf, symbolizing the transfer of power from the dying king to his chosen successor ("Wiglaf.").
Grendel's Mother
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Grendel's mother is the second demonic figure in this poem. Along with Grendel, she too is a demonic descendant of Cain. She attempts to avenge her son's death by attacking at Heorot Hall. She manages to kill one man, but is alarmed by the strength of the Greatish warriors and retreats to her lair, a cave beneath a lake filled with sea monsters. Beowulf follows her there, and beheads her with a sword. Although she is not near as strong as her man-eating son Grendel, she fights as a strong warrior, and Beowulf still has a hard time defeating her ("Grendel's...").