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Beowulf, Part 23 summary

Part 23 of 43 · 4 min to read the part

In XXIII Beowulf’s Fight with Grendel’s Mother, Beowulf asks Hrothgar to protect his companions if he dies, then enters the sea and fights Grendel’s mother in her cavern. His sword fails, but his armor and God’s help preserve him when she pins him down with a knife.

What happens

  1. Beowulf asks Hrothgar to care for his thanes and send his gifts to Higelac if he dies.
  2. He enters the sea, takes a full day to reach its bottom, and is seized by Grendel’s mother.
  3. She carries him into a dry cavern while sea creatures attack him along the way.
  4. Beowulf strikes her with his sword, discovers it cannot wound her, and throws it aside.
  5. He throws her down by hand, but she fights back, topples him, and draws her knife.
  6. His armor protects him, and the narrator credits God as Beowulf rises to fight again.

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In this part

BeowulfHrothgarGrendelGrendel's motherHigelac

Quick check

Why does Beowulf throw aside his sword?

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