Important Characters

• Aeschere-king's loyal counsel. Fought beside Hrothgar in battle. Killed by Grendel's mother.
• Beowulfbattle - the Geat hero of the epic. Conqueror of evil. Model of perfection.
• Grendel- unhappy monster who attacks the Danes for twelve years and is finally killed by Beowulf.
• Grendel's Mother- mother of the monster Grendel.
• Hrothgar-prince of the Danes. Rewards Beowulf for all his good deeds and treats him like a son.
• Hygelac-lord of the Geats. Beowulf wishes for Hygelac to receive his wealth in case he should die in battle with Grendel's mother.
• Unferth- sits at feet of king which is a position of honor. Doubts Beowulf's abilities as a warrior because he does not want anyone to be better than him, and is jealous. He eventually realizes, however, that Beowulf is a better warrior than him and gives him Hrunting, the sword.