Beowulf characters

Beowulf

Protagonist of the epic; a Geatish hero

Hrothgar

The king of the Danes

Grendel

A demon descended from Cain

Grendel’s Mother

An unnamed swamp-hag; attacks Heorot out of vengeance

Hygelac

Beowulf’s uncle, king of the Geats

Wealhtheow

Hrothgar’s wife

Unferth

A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf

Aeschere

Hrothgar’s trusted adviser.

Shield Sheafson

The legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar is descended

Scyldings

Another name for Hrothgar’s people

Ecgtheow

Beowulf’s father; saved by Hrothgar’s kindness

Heremod

Past Danish king used as an example of bad/failed leadership Let greed & pride consume him.

Sigemund

Legendary hero who killed a dragon and took its treasure

Wulfgar

Herald and a trusted advisor of Hrothgar

Finn

A Frisian King who married Hnaef’s sister

Hnaef

A Danish prince used in the story of the Frisian Slaughter