BEOWULF

He is the hero of the epic poem, an ideal warrior, strong, and brave. Always honorable and loyal to his kinsmen, he is first a warrior, then a lord. He is the King of the Geats. Beowulf's courage and skill help him vanquish Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and a dragan; his last victory costs him his life.

UNFERTH

A thane in Hrothgar's court, challenges Beowulf's accompishment. He eventually accepts Beowulf's superiority as a warrior and lends him his sword, Hrunting. He is also a brother slayer.

WEALHTHEOW

This is Hrothgar's Queen. She tells Beowulf to wear the ring and mail-shirt that the people had given him. Also she tells Beowulf to prosper well and to make himself known to the people and she asks Beowulf to protect her sons Hrethric and Hrothmund as well as the people.

HRETHIC

He is Hrothgar's son and elder brother to Hrothmund.

HROTHMUND

He is Hrothgar's son and brother to Hrethric.

AESCHERE

Hrothgar's best-friend, retainer and noble shield warrior; killed by Grendel's Mother when she goes to Heorot to avenge her son's death.

GRENDEL

He is a savage canibal who terrorizes the Hall Heorot for twelve years and is killed by Beowulf. Often described as a "grim spirit" and an outsider, he has no remorse for anyone and is often vengeful and wicked.

GRENDEL'S MOTHER

She is a woman, monster wife, and a war terror of a wife. She takes role of a warrior when she avenges her son's death.