The Resumé of a Monster Fighter, Part 2

Beowulf is quick to assure Hrothgar that he is no novice monster killer. [H]æbbe iċ mærða fela / ongunnen on ġeogoþe, Beowulf boasts (408b-409a). “I have undertaken many glorious deeds in youth.” Then he elaborates, explaining that he of searwum cwōm, / fāh from fēondum, “came from battles stained from [the blood of] enemies” (419b-420a). He bound five eotena cyn, of the “race of giants” (421a), quite easily, and on yðum slōg / niceras nihtes, “on waves slew water-monsters by night” (421b-422a). It was not easy, of course; in fact, he was in nearoþearfe, “great distress,” (422b) but he came out victorious and avenged his people, grinding those water-monsters to a pulp (forgrand) (423-424a). Beowulf has a pretty good track record as a monster slayer already, but there are more details to come.

When Unferth challenges the hero about his swimming match with Breca, Beowulf has a chance to elaborate on his monster killing qualifications. He begins with a boast: Sōð iċ taliġe, / þæt iċ merestrengo māran āhte, / eafeþo on yþum, ðonne æniġ ōþer man (532b-534). “True I claim, that I possessed more sea-strength, powers on waves, than any other man.” That is quite a claim, but Beowulf backs it up with evidence. The merefixa mōd, “courage of the sea-fish,” of the sea-monsters, (549) was stirred up by Beowulf's presence in their territory. One even grabbed him and dragged him to the bottom of the sea, but Beowulf says, iċ āglæċan orde ġeræhte, “I hit that formidable foe with the point” of a sword (556a), and heaþoræs fornam / mihtiġ meredeor þurh mīne hand (557a-558). “The battle-storm destroyed the mighty sea-beast through my hand.” Beowulf's trials were not over, though. As he continued to swim, meċ ġelōme lāðġetēonan / þrēatedon þearle, “evil-doers frequently harassed me severely” (559-560a). Beowulf, in turn, served them well with his sword. Those mānfordædlan, “guilty destroyers,” did not rejoice in eating him for their feast; in fact, he left a whole bunch of them floating dead on the waves the next morning (563-566). Beowulf had never experienced a harder fight, but niceras nigene, “nine water-monsters,” died by his sword (575a). Indeed, his monster fighting capabilities are greater than those of most men. He climbed out of the sea to fight another day, and now he is ready to tackle Grendel.

We audience members, along with Hrothgar and the Danes, may be wondering at this point if Beowulf is firmly sticking to the truth or if perhaps he is exaggerating just a bit for effect, but the hero quickly assures us that he comes with references. The snotere ċeorlas, “wise men,” of the Geats urged him to go to Denmark after they hæl scēawedon, “examined omens,” and apparently found them favorable (202b-204). Those same snotere ċeorlas, lēode mīne þā sēlestan, “the best ones of my people,” Beowulf tells Hrothgar, mæġenes cræft mīnne cūþon, “knew my strength of might,” for they had seen him returning from his great battles (415-419). Beowulf, then, comes highly recommended. 

Everything seems to be in order. Physical capability. Check. Monster slaying experience. Check. Recommendations. Check. But what about motive? Why should Beowulf want to travel miles across the sea to face a dangerous monster like Grendel that might well kill him? Hrothgar somewhat slyly makes a suggestion. The king had once gotten Beowulf's father out of a tight spot. Ecgtheow, it seems, killed a man named Heatholaf of the Wylfings (460) and could no longer remain with his people, who did not care to enter into the feud Ecgtheow's actions either caused or exacerbated. He fled to Hrothgar and the Danes, and Hrothgar took pity on him. The old king explains, Siððan þā fæhðe fēo þingode; / sende iċ Wylfingum ofer wæteres hrycg / ealde mādmas; hē mē āþas swōr (470-472). “Afterward then I settled that feud with money; I sent to the Wylfings over ridge of waters old treasures; he swore oaths to me.” Was Beowulf here to fulfill his father's oaths? Did he come with gratitude to pay off an old debt?