Beowulf Characters

(Click the character infographic to download.) Grendel is a man-eating demon (never a good sign) that lives in the land of the Spear-Danes and attacks King Hrothgar's mead-hall, Heorot, every e...

Aeschere is an old Danish warrior and a good friend of King Hrothgar. He is killed and beheaded by Grendel's mother when she avenges the death of her son, and Hrothgar is deeply grieved by his loss.

Halfdane, one of the kings of the Spear-Danes, is the grandson of Shield Sheafson. He is also the father of Heorogar, Hrothgar, Halga, and a daughter who marries Onela the Swede.

Heorogar, Halga, and their unnamed sister are the siblings of Hrothgar, king of the Spear-Danes.

Herebeald and Haethcyn are the sons of King Hrethel and the brothers of Hygelac. In a tragic accident, Haethcyn accidentally kills his brother Herebeald. As a result, King Hrethel retires from publ...

Hrethric, Hrothmund, and Freawaru are the children of King Hrothgar and Queen Wealhtheow of the Spear-Danes. Hrethric and Hrothmund are young princes and neither of them is yet ready to succeed the...

Hygd is the wife of Hygelac and Queen of the Geats.

Hygelac, the king of the Geats, is Beowulf's lord and ring-giver. As a "ring-giver," it is Hygelac's job to give land and treasures to his "thanes," or lords, in order to reward them for their loya...

Ongentheow, king of the Swedes and father of Onela, was killed in battle by the Geat warrior Eofor. Although Eofor was avenging his brother Wulf, who died at Ongentheow's hands, the fact that a Swe...

Wulf and Eofor are two Geatish brothers who are part of a blood-feud between the Geats and their rival tribe, the Swedes. Ongentheow, king of the Swedes, killed Wulf in battle; in return, Wulf's br...