Summary of The Book Beowulf

Outline, organization, and content for lessons on Beowulf


We have three different summaries of Beowulf on this site.

What's On This Page?

This page provides an outline of the Beowulf poem.

• Lists the major divisions in the manuscript
• Lists the 43 fitts from the manuscript (also called sections or divisions)
• Gives the line numbers (using the most common numbering system by Klaeber)
• Gives the page number from the original manuscript
• Correlates content from fitts to lessons in our unit study
• Lists major activities done in each section of our unit study

If you are looking for a summary of the action plot, please click the box that says "Action Plot" above.

If you are looking for more information on Facing the Dragon - The Beowulf Unit Study, see information below.

Overall Outline of the Poem

2 Books, 3 Parts, 43 Fitts

The poem is broken into 2 books, 3 parts, and 43 sections.

In addition, our unit study has these divided into 12 lessons.

Book One: The Rise of Beowulf

Part 1: Grendel

• Lessons 1 to 6
• Fitt 1 to 19
• Lines 1 to 1251

Part 2: Grendel's Mother

• Lessons 7 to 9
• Fitt 20 to 31
• Lines 1252 to 2322

Book Two: The Fall of Beowulf

Part 3: The Dragon

• Lessons 10 to 12
• Fitt 32-43
• Lines 2323 to 3182

Lesson One

I. The Funeral of Scyld Scefing

• Lines 1-52
• Manuscript 129 r, 129 v, 130r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Beow vs Beowulf
  • Sea Burial
  • Archaeology at Sutton Hoo
  • Tolkien and Beowulf Scavenger Hunt
  • Scylds Mysterious Beginning - The Legend
  • Themes: Honor AND Heroic Deeds
  • Scandinavia: Definition and Map
  • Old English: thorn and eth and #7
  • Old English: Line 2
  • Old English and Anglo-Saxon English Definition

II. Hrothgar Builds Heorot

• Lines 53-114
• Manuscript 130r, 130v, 132r (page 131 was misplaced, now behind 146)
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Kennings
  • Hearot Hall - foreshadowing
  • Old English - þæt wæs god cyning
  • Hrothgar and Scyld Shefing - a contrast
  • Comitatus
  • Hearot Hall arachaeology
  • Creation Poem

Lesson Two

III. Grendel Attacks

• Lines 115-188
• Manuscript 132r, 132v, 133r, 133v, 134r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Three Threads in Bowulf (Legend, History, Culture)
  • Anglo-Saxon Timeline (450-1066) 2 handouts
  • Theme: Christianity vs Paganism

IV. Beowulf Hears and Sets Out

• Lines 189,257
• Manuscript 134r, 134v, 135r, 135v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Old English - opening H
  • Pronounciation of Geats (yee ots)
  • Geography -Sweden Peninsula (map)
  • Geats, Weder Lake
  • Old English - he guðcyning ofer swanrade secean
  • Windows of Time and Change - Our View of Beowulf

Lesson Three

V. A Danish Watchman Allows the Geat
Warriors to March to Hearot

• Lines 258-319
• Manuscript 135v, 136r, 136v, 137r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Ectheow and Old English Pronunciation
  • More Kennings
  • Alliteration and Old English - worda 7 worca
  • Anatomy of a Teutonic Poem (second half line is leader)
  • Writing our Own Teutonic Poem
  • Inflections
  • Boars Head Helmet

VI.Beowulf's Company at Hearot's Gate

• Lines 320-370
• Manuscript 137r, 137v, 138r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Beowulf’s Name (Bee Hunter or Bear-Man)
  • Tribal Names - Scyldings vs Scyfings
  • Hrothgar’s Character
  • Encircling Sea

VII. Beowulf Tells Hrothgar His Plan

• Lines 371-455
• Manuscript 138r, 138v, 139r, 139v, 140r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Beowulf’s History
  • History and Legend twisted together
  • Old English - fate/wyrd

VIII. Hrothgar Responds to Beowulf's Arrival

• Lines 456-498
• Manuscript 140r, 140v, 141r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Wulfings
  • Weregild
  • Hearot Hall
  • Motif vs Theme

Lesson Four

IX. Unferth Taunts Beowulf

• Lines 499 - 558
• Manuscript 141r, 141v, 142r, 142v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Unferth’s name and character
  • Swimming Contest with Breca
  • Flyting
  • Nicors and Monsters

X. Beowulf and Brecca's Contest

• Lines 559-661
• Manuscript 142v, 243r, 143v, 144r, 144v, 145r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Assessment: Legend vs History
  • Geography of Finns and Brondings
  • Sarcasm & Understatements
  • Theme: Fate

XI. God Gave One Man the Strength to Save Them

• Lines 662-709
• Manuscript 145r, 145v, 146r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Assessment: Fighting without weapons
  • Author’s Purpose
  • Rising Action

Lesson Five

XII. Grendel Attacks the Geat Warriors

• Lines 710-789
• Manuscript 146r, 146v, 131r, 131v, 147r (page 131 was misplaced when originally numbered)
• Unit Study Activities:
  • The attack!
  • History, Legend, Fiction: Find the Clues

XIII. Beowulf's Victory

• Lines 790-835
• Manuscript 147r, 147v, 148r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Boast and Defeat
  • The Unexpected Curse

XIV. Danes Rejoice / A Minstrel’s Tale

• Lines 836-923
• Manuscript 148r, 148v, 149r, 149v, 150r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Story-In-a-Story Box
  • Sigemund the Dragon Slayer (Volsunga Saga)
  • Heremond: Disgraced King in Exile
  • Old English sið & wrecca
  • Textual analysis
  • Contemporaries: Sigemund & Heremond
  • Mise-En-Abyme

XV. Hrothgar and Beowulf Gaze at the Arm & Speak

• Lines 924-989
• Manuscript 150r, 150v, 151r, 151v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Beowulf’s Mother
  • Adoption by Hrothgar
  • Role of the Companions in the Fight
  • Humor in Beowulf
  • Unferth
  • Old English - description of the claw

Lesson Six

XVI. Hrothgar Bestows Valuable Gifts on Beowulf

• Lines 990=1048
• Manuscript 151v, 152r, 152v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Women and Queens
  • Theme: Death
  • Foreshadowing Hearot Hall’s Demise

XVII. More Treasures Given & Song of Hildegard and Finn

• Lines 1049 - 1125
• Manuscript 152v, 153r, 153v, 154r, 154v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Finnsburg: Part I
  • Author’s Message - leofes 7 laþes
  • Theme: Fate vs God vs Courage
  • Siblings in Conflict (Sigemond & Hnaef)
  • Plight of Women
  • Finnsburg Fragment
  • Widsith Poem

XVIII. Song of Hildeburg & Finn Continued

• Lines 1126-1190
• Manuscript 154v, 155r, 155v, 156r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Hunlafing
  • Purpose of the Historical Narratives
  • Dating of Beowulf story

XIX. More Gifts, More Gracious Words

• Lines 1191 - 1250
• Manuscript 156r, 156v, 157r, 157v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Queen Wealhtheow
  • War & Mothers
  • The Golden Torque
  • Dire Prediction

Lesson Seven

XX. She-Monster Attacks

• Lines 1251-1320
• Manuscript 157v, 158r, 158v, 159r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Cain & Able
  • Blood Feuds
  • Women Warriors
  • Geography: Two Seas

XXI. Hrothgar Answers Beowulf In Sorrow

• Lines 1321-1382
• Manuscript 159r, 159v, 160r, 160v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Mood
  • Aschere

XXII. Journey to the Water's Edge

• Lines 1383 - 1472
• Manuscript 160v,161r, 161v, 162r, 162v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Descriptive Phrases
  • Nicors and Monsters
  • Unferth’s Role
  • Geology: Headlands

XXIII. Beowulf Meets the She-Monster

• Lines 1473 - 1556
• Manuscript 162v, 163r, 163v, 164r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Beowulf’s Character
  • The Attack!
  • Dating: Early vs Late Theory

Lesson Eight

XXIV. Beowulf's Second Victory

• Lines 1557 - 1650
• Manuscript 164r, 164b, 165r, 165, 166r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Detective Work and Scandinavian Legends
  • The Sword Blade

XXV. Reunion with King Hrothgar

• Lines 1651 - 1739
• Manuscript 166r, 166v, 167r, 167v, 168r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • The Giant’s Sword
  • Pagan vs Christian elements in the poem

XXVI. Hrothgar’s Warning & A Night of Rest

• Lines 1739 - 1816
• Manuscript 168r, 168v, 169r, 169v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Hrothgar’s Message
  • Themes: Pride and Old Age
  • Review All Themes

XXVII. Farewell to Hrothgar

• Lines 1817 - 1887
• Manuscript 169v, 170r, 170v, 171r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Foreshadowing
  • Motif: Gold

Lesson Nine

XXVIII. Return to Geatland and
Comparison of Two Queens

• Lines 1888 - 1962
• Manuscript 171r, 171v, 172r, 172v, 173r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Thryth
  • Offa I
  • Offa II

XXIX. Reunion with King Hygelac

• Lines 1963 - 2031
• Manuscript 173r, 173v, 174r, 174v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • War between Danes & Heathobards
  • Hygelac & Beowulf
  • Burning of Hearot Hall

XXX. Freawaru & Ingeld; Beowulf Continues

• Lines 2031 - 2143
• Manuscript 174v, 175r, 175v, 176r, 176v, 177r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Additional Details About Grendel

XXXI. Beowulf Gives Hrothgar the Treasure

• Lines 2143 -2220
• Manuscript177r, 177v, 178r, 178v, 179r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Transition to Book II
  • Giving the Treasure to Hygelac
  • Hrothgar’s Brother’s War Gear
  • Beowulf as an Ugly Duckling
  • Is Beowulf based on Offa?
  • King Hygelac’s death: two versions
  • Beowulf as King

Book Two: Part Three: Lesson Ten

XXXII. An Ancient Treasure Found

• Lines 2221 -2323
• Manuscript 179r, 179v, 180r, 181v, 181r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • The Nobel Race
  • Dragons, Greed, Useless Treasure
  • Trouble for the Villagers

XXXIII. How Beowulf Became King

• Lines 2324 - 2390
• Manuscript 181r, 181v, 182r, 182v, 183r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Death of Hygelac
  • Death of Heardred
  • Queen Hygd’s Offer
  • Geat/Swede Conflict

XXXIV. Beowulf Reminisces

• Lines 2391 - 2462
• Manuscript 183r, 183v, 184r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Death of Herebeald
  • Young Beowulf as a Foster Child
  • The Grieving Father

XXXV. Beowulf Faces the Dragon

• Lines 2463 - 2601
• Manuscript 184v, 185r, 185v, 186r, 186v, 187r, 187v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Battle of Ravensbrook
  • Hygelac’s Last Battle
  • Beowulf Battles Alone (Grendel & Dragon)
  • Mack Tack
  • Provenance of the Elements in Beowulf
  • Finding Our Author and Date

Lesson Eleven

XXXVI. Dragon Strikes Again, Wiglaf Comes

• Lines 2602 - 2693
• Manuscript 187v, 188r, 188v, 197r, 197v (197 originally misplaced)
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Wiglaf
  • Waegmundings
  • Beowulf & Swords
  • Three Dragon Charges

XXXVII. Dragon Struck Down; Beowulf's Request

• Lines 2694 - 2751
• Manuscript 197v, 189r, 189v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Purpose of the Poem
  • Beowulf’s Character
  • Usefulness of the Treasure

XXXVIII. Last Request and Farewell

• Lines 2752 - 2820
• Manuscript 189v, 190r, 190v, 191r
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Warning About Gold
  • The Banner
  • Place of Beowulf’s Death
  • End of a Race
  • Beowulf’s Reward

XXXIX. Wiglaf’s Reproach

• Lines 2821 - 2891
• Manuscript 191r, 191v, 192r, 192v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Wiglaf’s Speech
  • Hrothgar’s Final Message
  • Contextual Analysis
  • Real & Dream-like Death Scene
  • Foreboding Prediction

Lesson Twelve

XL. Announcement to the Geat Tribe

• Lines 2892 - 2946
• Manuscript 192v, 193r, 193v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Start of the Battle of Ravensbrook
  • The Announcement
  • Geats vs Franks vs Swedes
  • Theory about Hygelac’s Death
  • Purpose of Historical Narratives

XLI.The Messenger Continues

• Lines 2946 - 3057
• Manuscript 193v, 194r, 194v, 195r, 195v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Ongentheow’s Death
  • Raven, Eagle, Wolf
  • Treasure and Tragedy

XLII. Fate of the Treasure Hoard

• Lines 3058 - 3136
• Manuscript 195v, 196r, 196v, 198r (197 was misplaced)
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Curse on the Treasure
  • Wiglaf’s Council Ignored
  • Funeral Pyre
  • Dragon’s Plunge
  • Hronesness and Earnaness

XLIII. The Funeral

• Lines 3137 - 3182
• Manuscript 198r, 198v
• Unit Study Activities:
  • Funeral Dirge
  • Assessment of Germanic Heroic Code
  • Funerals of Scyld & Beowulf
  • Compare Scyld & Beowulf
  • Final Words
  • Purpose of Monsters
  • Medieval Knighthood

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