Learn About The Program

Read the details of the programs offered for grades K-12 and youth groups, including Girl Scouts
Click Here

See the Testimonials

Read testimonials from people who have seen the program or watch video interviews with participants
Click Here

Sign Up for the Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter (on real paper) that goes out every two months of the school year
Click Here

Beowulf

Origin: Old English Epic Poem, Beowulf

Heroic Values: Achievement, Courage, Faith

Background

Beowulf was a warrior in Geatland, a southern region of Sweden. He was sent to Zealand to pay off a debt owed by his father. Beowulf was well known for his prowess in battle and so was the logical choice when King Hrothgar needed someone to help rid his kingdom of the fearsome Grendel.

When Grendel attacked the meadhall in the middle of the night, Beowulf beat him easily, tearing his arm off in the process. Grendel retreated to a bog and died. Grendel's mother returned to exact vengeance, killing Hrothgar's best warrior while Beowulf was sleeping in another building. Beowulf took up the challenge to kill Grendel's mother and confronted her near the body of Grendel. After being dragged to the bottom of a lake, Beowulf manages to defeat Grendel's mother using a powerful sword he finds in her treasure trove.

After leaving Hrothgar, Beowulf eventually became king of his own lands. A member of his kingdom stole a golden cup from a dragon's lair and the dragon wreaked havoc on the land. Beowulf confronted the dragon in battle and defeated it, but lost his own life to a poisoned wound.

Sources

Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia

The Poem
With a modern translation