| A | B |
|---|
| Beowulf | -protagonist/ Geatish hero -fights the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother + dragon -he is the strongest/best warrior in town -in youth: all the best of heroic culture -in old age: wise and effective ruler |
| Hygelac | -BEOWULF'S uncle -King of the Geats -Married to Hygd -Welcomes Beowulf back from Denmark |
| Hygd | Hygelac's Wife -Young, beautiful AND Smart -Queen of the Geats |
| Ecgtheow | -Beowulf's Dad -Hygelac's brother-in-law -Hrothgar's friend ()he's dead by the time the story begins- but is immortalized by his son, Beowulf's, remembrance/ behavior |
| Sigemund | Norse god/ mytholical figure -famous for slaying a dragon |
| King Hrethel | -Geatish King -took Beowulf in as a ward when his dad, Ecgtheow, died |
| Breca | -Beowulf's childhood friend -Involved in a swimming contest with Beowulf as kids |
| Aeschere | Hrothgar's trusted adviser |
| Shield Sheafson | -legendary king of Denmark/relative of Hrothgar -Mythical founder who starts the long line of Danish rulers -He embodies heroism and leadership -Was an orphan who became "one good king" |
| Beow | -2nd king -Shield's son -Halfdane's dad -"a gift from god to a people in need of a leader" |
| Halfdane | -Hrothgar's Dad -King after Beow |
| King Hrothgar | -King of the Danes -father figure to Beowulf and example for the kind of king "Beow" becomes -He has great military strength and prosperity UNTILE GRENDEL comes and terrorizes the kingdom |
| Wealththeow | -Hrothgar's Wife -very gracious |
| Hrethric | -Hrothgar's elder son -he should inherit the throne but his older cousin Hrotholf stops this -Beowulf offers to help him get the throne by inviting him to Geatland and being his mentor/advisor |
| Grendel | -a monster related to coin (from cain + abel bible story) -grendel attack's the king's MeadHall (like a clubhouse for the warriors) called "Heorot" -He attacks Hrothgar's men nightly |
| Grendel's Mother | -she is even more monstrous then Grendel -she terrorizes the MeadHall (Heorot) -she wants vengeance |
| The Dragon | -ancient, powerful -guards a huge treasure in a hidden mound -Beowulf's fight with the dragon is the third and final part of the epic |
| Hrothulf | -Hrothgar's Nephew (Hrethric's EVIL cousin) -Betrays his cousi, Hrethric, and usurps (steals) the crown |
| Unferth | -Danish warrior -Jealous of Beowulf -unable/unwilling to fight Grendel |
| Queen Modthryth | -Wicked queen of the legend -punishes people for looking at her the wrong way -Contrast to Hygd (who is kind and gentle) |
| King Hermod | -Evil king of legend -The scop/bard at Heorot (the meadhall) tells stories to show contrast with Beowulf |
