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Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem read free book
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem (not a novel) and one of the earliest
major works of English literature. It tells the story of a heroic warrior named
Beowulf and his battles against supernatural monsters. The poem has three
main parts:
Beowulf and Grendel. Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland
(modern Sweden), travels to help King Hrothgar of Denmark, whose mead hall,
Heorot, is being attacked by the monster Grendel. Beowulf fights Grendel
with his bare hands and rips off the monster’s arm. Grendel flees and dies.
Grendel’s Mother. The next night, Grendel’s mother
comes seeking revenge and kills one of Hrothgar’s men. Beowulf follows her
to her underwater lair and after a fierce battle kills her with a giant
sword he finds in her cave. Beowulf returns home honored as a hero.
The dragon and Beowulf’s death. Many years later, Beowulf becomes king of the Geats. In old age, he faces one
last enemy: a dragon angered when its treasure is stolen. Beowulf kills the
dragon with the help of the loyal warrior Wiglaf, but he is mortally wounded. He
dies and is buried with great honor in a barrow by the sea.
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