Names

Names to study for Beowulf:



Beowulf poet Anonymous Christian scribe who wrote down the oral Beowulf narrative
Grendel Rapacious, man-eating monster
Grendel's mother Devious, vengeful monster

Danes, aka Shieldings, Shield-Danes
Shield Sheafson Famous Danish king described in the opening
Heorot Hrothgar's mead-hall
Beow Hrothgar's grandfather
Halfdane Hrothgar's father
Hrothgar King of the Danes
Wealtheow Hrother's queen
Hildeburh Danish princess married to a Frisian King, described in the minstrel's song
Freawaru Hrothgar's daughter. Married Ingeld, a Heathobard
Hrethric Hrothgar's son
Heorogar Hrothgar's older brother

Geats
Hygelac Beowulf's overlord and uncle
Hygd Hygelac's queen
Hrethel Hygelac's father
Ecgtheow Beowulf's father, brother-in-law of Hygelac
Handscio Geat killed by Grendel

Other
Geatland Tribal territory of the Geats in southern Sweden
Unferth Thane in Hrothgar's court. Name means mar-peace. Killed his own brother.
Wulfgar Thane of Hrothgar, also a Wendel chief
Breca Beowulf's opponent is swimming match,
Aeschere Hrothgar's good friend, killed by Grendel's mother
Modthryth Beautiful queen who behaved badly
Hrunting Famous sword that Unferth gives to Beowulf
Hnaef Danish king, Hildeburh's brother, killed by the Frisians
Sigemund Dragon-killing hero who helped King Heremod, described in a minstrel's song after Beowulf kills Grendel



Haethcyn A king of the Geats, Hrethel’s second son, who takes the throne after accidentally killing his older brother, Herebeald. He is eventually killed by Ongentheow, king of the Swedes, in a war in which Ongentheow is killed by a second band of Geats, led by Hygelac.

Heardred A king of the Geats, son of Hygelac and later killed by Onela of the Swedes.

Onela (also spelled Onla) A king of the Swedes and the youngest son of Ongentheow. He is married to the Danish king's (Halfdane’s) daughter and assumes the Swedish throne after the death of his older brother. He later invaded Geatland after his two nephews fled to join Heardred, the king of the Geats. Onela then killed the oldest nephew but the younger lived. Later, Beowulf ruled the Geats, and invaded Sweden with Onela’s younger nephew, who then killed Onela and ruled Sweden.
Wiglaf A young Waegmunding kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all of the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic code better than Beowulf’s other retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf.
Eofor A Geat warrior who kills the Swedish king named Ongentheow, and is given Hygelac’s daughter as a reward.

Ongentheow A king of the Swedes, a famous warrior and father of Onela. He killed Hathcyn and was later killed by a group of Geats led by Hygelac.