Monday, April 2, 2012

Lines 800-900


(801-810) When the thanes try to attack Grendel, their blades fail to damage him. Grendel had taken away the harm caused to him by any human weapon, but his passing from the world would be painful still.
Sigemund slaying Grendel
(811-820) Grendel's powers fail him. Beowulf holds him in a handgrip, and Grendel can not escape. A wound appears on his shoulder as his arm is broken off. Beowulf wins, and Grendel flees to the fens, fatally wounded.
(821-830) He is expected to die soon, and the hopes of the Danes are fulfilled. Beowulf had saved and protected the hall, and he is happy with the the fight and the courage he had shown. He had boldly fulfilled his promises; ridding them of distress and humiliations.
(831-840) They can see proof of this by the display of Grendel's hand high up in the roof. Beowulf has put up Grendel's entire shoulder and arm, and all can see the power in it. Morning comes and and many warriors gather at the hall. Different clan chiefs from far away came and wonder at the footprints left by Grendel.
(841-850) Grendel's death is regretted by no one who sees the tracks. They can see the marks left when he fled, bloodying the path and taking himself to the mere. The bloody water surges as Grendel thrashes, drowning himself at the bottom of the swamp. He dies there.
(851-860) Then the retainers and noblemen all ride away in high spirits. Beowulf's doings are praised over and over again. They say that no one on earth is better to rule a kingdom than him.
(861-870) However, they do not put any blame on Hrothgar; he was a good king. Sometimes these retainers break into a gallop, letting their horses race wherever there was a good stretch of road. During this time, a thane of the king's household, a traditional singer who was educated in the tales of the past, revises an old song and sings the tales of Beowulf.
(871-880) The man recites with skill, retelling Beowulf's triumph in well made verses. He tells about a legendary warrior named Sigemund, who achieved many feats and marvels. He tells of his struggles, wanderings, feuds, foul doings, and things unknown to many.
(881-890) The man tells how Sigemund and his uncle Fitela were always partners in fights and friends in need. They killed giants with their conquering swords. He goes on to tell about how Sigemund's glory when he had killed a dragon guarding his treasure, and how he had dared to go alone and without Fitela.
(891-900) Sigemund's sword pierced the dragon's scales, killing the dragon. He obtained possesion of the treasure, and loaded a boat with it. The hot dragon then melted. Sigemund's name was known everywhere; he was brave and adventurous and protected his warriors.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Lines 700-800


(700-710) Night falls over Heorot and the Geats wait for Grendel to attack. The guards had all fallen asleep except for Beowulf. Beowuld waited for Grendel.
Beowulf fighting Grendel
(711-720) Grendel arrives at Heorot and prepares to wreck havoc on the thanes inside. Grendel begins to hunt to destroy them.
(721-730) Grendel approaches Heorot and begins to grow even more enraged. He rips the doors open and begins to survey the inside.
(731-740) Grendel begins to imagine the great destruction he can can cause and he becomes filled with a sadistic glee. 
(741-750) Grendel devours the body of one of the men who had been waiting for him to arrive. He is vicious and cruel in the way that he rips him apart and eats him.
(751-760) Beowulf forces Grendel into a death grip that was more powerful than any other that had ever been seen. The demon began to struggle violently, but he could not break free. Grendel tried to escape from the grip so he could flee to his den, but he could not get himself out of Beowulf's grip.
(761-790) Beowulf and Grendel continue their fight as heard as they can, causing a great deal of commotion in the mead-hall.
(791-800) Beowulf's thanes begin to defend their leader. They circled Beowulf and did all they could to keep him safe.

Lines 600-700

Wealtheow
(601-610) Beowulf continued to declare that he will defeat the demon Grendel. He boasts that he will be kill Grendel.
(611-620) Wealhtheow makes her way to the banquet. She watched over as the crowd in Heorot laughed and dined happily. Wealtheow began to go around and great all of the people in the hall. She spoke with them and brought drinks around for all of them to enjoy.
(621-630) Wealtheow continues to greet all of the people in the hall. When she saw Beowulf, she thanked God for granting her the wish of having someone who could defeat the demon Grendel who had been plaguing Heorot. 
(631-640) Beowulf continued to boast, speaking of how he will destroy Grendel or he will die in the mead-hall. 
(641-650) The people in the hall finish and Hrothgar then leaves Heorot in the hands of Beowulf. 
(651-660) Beowulf promises to take care of the mead-hall and be sure that Grendel is defeated by the time the night is out. As the night continues on, it grows darker and darker. Beowulf waits for the arrival of Grendel. 
(661-670) Beowulf removes his armour and decides that he will not use any sort of weapons aside from his own strength. 
(671-680) Beowulf takes of the remainder of his armour and says that he is determined to only fight Grendel with his own hands and without and protection. He says that Grendel has no idea of the arts of war and he wished to fight the demon as his equal.
(681-700) Beowulf and his companions wait for the arrival of Grendel. Some of them begin to feel fear that they will never return to their homeland. Regardless, they stay and wait.