Beowulf, Part 13 summary
Part 13 of 43 · 3 min to read the part
In XIII Grendel Is Defeated, Beowulf tears apart Grendel’s shoulder, forces him to flee near death, and displays his arm in the hall as proof of victory. Warriors gather at dawn, praise Beowulf as a possible successor to Hrothgar, and hear songs that contrast heroic achievement with harmful kingship.
What happens
- Beowulf’s followers try to protect him with swords, but their weapons cannot harm Grendel.
- Beowulf holds Grendel’s hand as the monster suffers a terrible shoulder wound and flees toward the marshes.
- Beowulf ends the Danes’ suffering and hangs Grendel’s hand, arm, and shoulder beneath the hall’s roof.
- Warriors gather at dawn; Grendel’s blood stains the waters, and few warriors mourn his death.
- Beowulf receives praise as a possible successor to Hrothgar, though nobody speaks against the king.
- A bard celebrates Beowulf and Sigemund, while Heremod appears as a king who burdens his people.
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In this part
What to notice
The wound establishes that Beowulf overcomes an enemy whom swords cannot injure. It marks the physical defeat that ends the Danes’ suffering.
Quick check
What does Beowulf display beneath the hall’s roof?
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