Beowulf, Part 21 summary

What happens

1. Hrothgar announces Æschere’s death and recalls his worth as a counselor and battle companion.
2. He explains that the killer takes revenge for the warrior’s killing of Grendel the previous night.
3. He reports local sightings of two monsters, one shaped like a woman and the other like an unusually large man.
4. He describes their remote, frightening waters, where fire appears at night and even a hunted stag refuses refuge.
5. He asks his listener to seek the enemy and promises treasure for a safe return.

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What to notice

The promise joins reward to a dangerous request. Hrothgar makes safe return the condition for payment.

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