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Beowulf
the main character (you better know who this is)
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King Hrothgar
- The king of the Danes
- enjoys military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm
- represents different kind of leadership from Beowulf
- a model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes
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Grendel
- descended from Cain
- preys on Hrothgar’s warriors in the king’s mead-hall, Heorot
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Grendel's mom
terrorizes Heorot after Grendel dies as revenge
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Dragon
- guards treasure
- kills Beowulf
- is killed by Beowulf
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Shield Sheafson
- legendary Danish king from whom Hrothgar is descended
- the mythical founder of Danish rulers
- embodies the Danish tribe’s highest values of heroism and leadership
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Beow
- second king listed in the genealogy of Danish rulers
- the son of Shield Sheafson and father of Halfdane
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Halfdane
- father of Hrothgar, Heorogar, Halga, and an unnamed daughter who married a king of the Swedes
- succeeded Beow as ruler of the Danes.
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Whealtheow
wife of Hrothgar
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Unferth
- Danish warrior jealous of Beowulf
- confronts him about not being as good as he thinks he is
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Hrethric
- Hrothgar’s elder son
- stands to inherit the Danish throne, but Hrethric’s older cousin Hrothulf will prevent him from doing so
- Beowulf offers to support his prospect of becoming king by hosting him in Geatland and giving him guidance
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Hrothmund
second son of Hrothgar
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Hrothulf
- Hrothgar's nephew
- usurps Hrethric's throne
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Aeschere
- Hrothgar's advisor
- killed by Grendel
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Hygelac
- Beowulf's uncle
- king of Geats
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Hygd
- Hygelac's wife
- contrasted with Modthryth
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Wiglaf
- helps Beowulf against dragon
- proves suitable successor to Beowulf b/c he retains to hero's code
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Ecgtheow
Beowulf's father
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King Hrethel
Beowulf's foster father
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Breca
- Beowulf's childhood friend
- defeated by Beowulf in a swimming contest
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Sigemund
- famous for slaying a dragon
- foreshadows Beowulf's encounter with dragon
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King Heremod
- evil king in the past
- contrasts greatly with Beowulf as a king
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Queen Modthryth
- evil queen who punished anyone who looked at her
- contrasts with Queen Hygd
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