Lines 1-194

(1-10) The book begins by telling of a Dane king, Sheild Sheafson. It tells of the many heroic things that he had accomplished in his life and how great of a king he was.

(11-20) Sheild Sheafson hsa a son named Beow, who was an amirable prince for his behaviour and his fighting.
(21-30) The funeral of Sheild Sheafson was held. The body was placed onto his boat which was adorned with bladed weapons and coats of mail.
(31-40) The people left many treaures around and on the lifeless body of Sheild Sheafson before they  placed him in the ocean and began to mourn their loss
(41-60) Beow was left in charge of the Danes after Sheild Sheafson dies. He had an heir named Halfdane. Halfdane has four children, Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and a daughter who's name was never  provided in the text.
(61-70) Hrothgar had good fortune and soon ordered for the construction of a great meadhall.
(71-80) Hrothgar continues the work on his grand meadhall. He names the place Heorot, and it became one of the most grand buildings ever created.
(81-90) The great meadhall, Heorot is threatened by a demon named Grendel. He is the descendant of Cain who has been stalking the hall and harming all of the hall thanes.

Inside Heorot

(91-100) The bards continue to sing songs about God and how he created the earth at the start of time.
(101-110) Grendel is described in more detail. He was cursed because he was a descendant of Cain. According to the bards, the descendants of Cain were punished for having killed his brother, Abel.
(111-120) Grendel's curse is described in further detail before the demon attacks Heorot. He goes at night when the people were sleeping.
(121-130) Grendel viciously attacks the people in the hall, destroying all of them and wrecking a great deal of havoc on Heorot. 
(131-140) Grendel takes over the kingdom, ruling by fear while King Hrothgar was left defenseless and unable to help his people. 
(141-170) Hrothgar is not able to do anything to stop Grendel and his reign of terror over the people. 
(171-195) The people, who are desperate now with the demon ruling them, turn to heathen gods for help. God did not assist the people because they had turned their back on him and were now turning themselves to the heathen gods. Grendel continued to attack and harm the people.