Beowulf: Characters

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

Haethcyn

A king of the Geats, Hrethel's second son who takes the throne after accidentally killing his older brother, herebeald

Heardred

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

Eofor

A Geat warrior who kills the Swedish king Ongentheow, and is given Hygelac's daughter as a reward

Geatland

Tribal territory of the Geats in Southern Sweden

Shield Sheafson

Famous Danish king described in the beginning of the book (Shild)

Heorot

Hrothgar's mead-hall

Beow

Hrothgar's grandfather

Halfdane

Hrothgar's father

Wealtheow

Hrothgar's wife

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

Unferth

Thane in Dane's court. Name means "mar-peace". Killed his own brother.

Aeschere

Hrothgar's good friend, killed by Grendel's mother

Hnaef

Danish king, Hildeburh's brother, killed by the Frisians

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

Onela (Onla)

A king of the Swedes and the youngest son of Ongentheow

Wiglaf

Young Waegmunding kinsman who helps Beowulf battle the dragon proving himself a worthy successor to Beowulf

Wulfgar

Thane of Hrothgar, also a Wendel chief

Breca

Beowulf's opponent in swimming match

Modthryth

Beautiful queen who behaved badly

Hrunting

Famous sword that Unferth gives to Beowulf

When is Beowulf taken in and who is he taken in by?

When Beowulf is seven, he is taken in by King Hrethel(his grandfather)

Who accidentally kills his brother? Who is the brother?

Hrethel's son Hathcyn accidentally kills his brother Herebeald

Who is Hygelac's queen(wife)?

Hygd

Who does Beowulf help become king after he is offered the throne the first time?

Beowulf helps his cousin, Heardred, become king