Beowulf (Raffel Translation) Plot Summary:
Part 1: Grendel
* The setting: The story begins in the land of the Danes, where King Hrothgar is plagued by the monster Grendel. Grendel terrorizes Heorot, the king’s mead-hall, killing warriors and feasting on their flesh.
* Beowulf arrives: Hearing of Grendel’s reign of terror, Beowulf, a young warrior from Geatland, arrives with fourteen companions. He vows to defeat Grendel without weapons, using only his strength.
* The battle with Grendel: Beowulf waits in Heorot and engages in a brutal fight with Grendel, ripping off his arm and sending him fleeing to his death.
* The aftermath: Celebrations erupt in Heorot, but the danger is not over. Grendel’s mother, seeking revenge, attacks Heorot, killing Aeschere, one of the king’s closest advisors.
Part 2: Grendel’s Mother
* The quest: Beowulf, driven by loyalty and the desire for glory, sets out to find Grendel’s mother in her lair beneath a lake. He is armed with a magical sword forged by giants.
* The battle with Grendel's Mother: In a fierce battle, Beowulf is nearly defeated by Grendel's mother, but he uses the magical sword to kill her.
* The return: Beowulf returns to Heorot with the head of Grendel’s mother as proof of his victory. He is showered with gifts and praise.
Part 3: The Dragon
* Years later: Beowulf is now king of the Geats. He faces a new threat - a fire-breathing dragon guarding a hoard of treasure. The dragon is angered when a thief steals a golden goblet, and unleashes its fury on the land.
* Beowulf's final stand: Beowulf, now old and weary, decides to confront the dragon. He fights bravely but is mortally wounded.
* The tragic end: Beowulf's warriors, led by Wiglaf, join the fight and eventually kill the dragon, but Beowulf dies from his injuries.
* The legacy: Beowulf’s death is mourned by his people. He is remembered as a great hero and his courage is celebrated in songs and stories. A burial mound is erected in his honor.
Raffel's Translation:
Burton Raffel's translation aims to capture the raw power and intensity of the original Old English poem. He uses a modern, straightforward style to make the epic accessible to a contemporary audience, while also maintaining the poem’s epic scope and lyrical beauty. He also emphasizes the physicality of the battles, making the fight scenes visceral and thrilling.