Ecgtheow's son, who is strong in mind and
body. He is a true hero and a superman who backs up
his extraordinary feats with a powerful sense of
social responsibility and morality.
Hrothgar:
The king of the Danes, the son of
Healfdene, and the brother of Heorogar, he is a very
just man. While he never goes back on his promises and
always praises brave and capable heroes, he wishes to
make peace with the Heathobards.
Wiglaf :
A young and brave Geat who, as part of
Beowulf's company, helps slay the dragon when the rest
of the men run away. He also conveys Beowulf's last
message to his people.
Unferth :
The son of Ecglaf who taunts Beowulf early
in the poem, but later lends him his sword. He is also
responsible for slaying his brother.
Grendel :
The dreaded monster who threatens Hrothgar's
kingdom. However, Beowulf succeeds in killing him.
Grendel's Mother :
The troll wife of Cain, she is a
hag who dwells in a cave at the bottom of a large
swampy pond.
The Dragon :
A monster that destroys Beowulf's
Kingdom. When Beowulf kills him, he in turn loses his
own life.
Scyld Sceafing :
the founder of Hrothgar's mighty
Danish royal house and the son of Sceaf.
Beowulf, the Dane (Beow) :
the son of Scyld who
becomes a Danish King. He is a different person from
the titular hero of the poem.
Healfdene :
The son of Beowulf the Dane and the father
of Hrothgar, Heorogar, and Halga.
Hrethric :
Hrothgar's son and the elder brother of
Hrothmund who is killed when Hrothulf usurps the
Danish throne after Hrothgar's death.
Wealtheow :
As the wife of King Hrothgar, she is a
gracious hostess and is the mother of both Hrethric
and Hrothmund.
Aeschere :
The favorite counselor and retainer of
Hrothgar. Grendel's mother kills him.
Freawaru :
Hrothgar's daughter. She was married to
Ingeld in order to end the feud between the Danes and
the Heathobards.
Ecgtheow :
Beowulf's father, who is a Geat and is
married to King Hrethel's only daughter. When he slays
a man, he escapes to Denmark, and Hrothgar pays his
blood money.
Heardred :
A Geat King who is the son of Hygelac.
Beowulf counsels with him and avenges his murder by
killing the Swedish king Onela.
Hrethel :
Hygelac's father and Beowulf's grandfather
who dies of grief after Haethcyn kills his own
brother.
Hygd :
She is the mother of Heardred. Beowulf gives
her the necklace that had been given to him by
Wealtheow.
