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Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem

by J. Lesslie Hall (1856–1928)

  • Free to read
  • 3 hours to read
  • 45 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem" by J. Lesslie Hall is an epic poem written in the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on the heroic figure Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland, who seeks to help Hrothgar, the Danish king, rid his land of the monstrous creature Grendel that has been terrorizing his mead-hall. This tale weaves themes of heroism, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil, set against the backdrop of the early medieval period. The opening of the poem introduces the legacy of Scyld, the founding king of the Danes, and his great lineage, leading up to Hrothgar's reign. After building Heorot, a grand mead-hall, Hrothgar faces despair as Grendel attacks nightly, slaughtering his warriors. Word of Hrothgar's plight reaches Beowulf, who decides to journey to the Danes with a band of fourteen warriors to confront Grendel. The scene is set for a monumental clash between the might of Beowulf and the terror of Grendel, emphasizing the values of strength, courage, and honor that define the epic tradition.

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  • Epic poetry, English (Old)
  • Monsters
  • Dragons

Read the opening

Chapter I

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SCYLD.

{The famous race of Spear-Danes.}

Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements
The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of,
How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle.

{Scyld, their mighty king, in honor of whom they are often called Scyldings. He is the great-grandfather of Hrothgar, so prominent in the poem.}

Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers
5 From many a people their mead-benches tore.
Since first he found him friendless and wretched,
The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it,
Waxed 'neath the welkin, world-honor gained,
Till all his neighbors o'er sea were compelled to
10 Bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute:
An excellent atheling! After was borne him

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Contents

Show all 45 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Preface
  3. Chapter I
  4. Chapter II
  5. Chapter III
  6. Chapter IV
  7. Chapter V
  8. Chapter VI
  9. Chapter VII
  10. Chapter VIII: Hrothgar and Beowulf. — Continued
  11. Chapter IX
  12. Chapter X
  13. Chapter XI
  14. Chapter XII
  15. Chapter XIII
  16. Chapter XIV
  17. Chapter XV
  18. Chapter XVI
  19. Chapter XVII: BANQUET (continued). — The Scop's Song of Finn and HnÆF
  20. Chapter XVIII: THE FINN EPISODE (continued). — The Banquet Continues
  21. Chapter XIX
  22. Chapter XX
  23. Chapter XXI
  24. Chapter XXII
  25. Chapter XXIII
  26. Chapter XXIV
  27. Chapter XXV
  28. Chapter XXVI
  29. Chapter XXVII
  30. Chapter XXVIII
  31. Chapter XXIX
  32. Chapter XXX
  33. Chapter XXXI
  34. Chapter XXXII
  35. Chapter XXXIII
  36. Chapter XXXIV
  37. Chapter XXXV: REMINISCENCES (continued). — Beowulf's Last Battle
  38. Chapter XXXVI: Wiglaf the Trusty. — Beowulf Is Deserted by Friends and by Sword
  39. Chapter XXXVII
  40. Chapter XXXVIII
  41. Chapter XXXIX
  42. Chapter XL
  43. Chapter XLI
  44. Chapter XLII
  45. Chapter XLIII

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About this edition

This free edition of Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by J. Lesslie Hall comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #16328, released 2005-07-19. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Poetry, Mythology, Legends & Folklore, Classics of Literature, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).