Beowulf: The title character and hero. He is first the prince of the Geats and becomes their King. He is often referred to as the son of Edgetheow.
Grendel: The monster who attacks Heorot. He attacks Heorot because he is jealous of the friendships and happiness of the Danes.
The Dragon: The enemy that finally kills Beowulf. It guards a great tresuarehoard, and when that hoard is disturbed, the dragon attacks the Geats. In the end it dies due to the effort of Beowulf and Wiglaf.