"Beowulf" is an English epic poem, written in Old English, 3,182 lines in length. The work of an unknown author, the poem was composed between the 8th and 11th centuries. The story centers on Beowulf's encounters with three antagonists. In the accounts of these battles, Beowulf is described as having superhuman strength, unassailable courage and impeccable leadership skills.
The story takes place between the 5th and 7th centuries in Denmark and what is now Sweden. This is about the time Anglo-Saxon tribes had begun to settle in England. Some of the events and people that are recorded in the poem can be verified from other sources.
In his first battle, the young warrior is successful in defeating Grendel, a monster that had been tormenting and killing the men of King Hrothgar. In the second battle, Grendel's mother attacks and Beowulf beheads the monster. The king gives Beowulf many gifts and he is celebrated for his victories.
When Beowulf faces his final antagonist, a dragon, he is an older man and king of his people. Beowulf is successful in killing the dragon that has been burning everything in the hero's kingdom. However, Beowulf dies from wounds that were inflicted in the fight.
The manuscript in which the poem survived is believed to date to about 1000 A.D., and is kept in the British Library in London. In the 16th century, the manuscript was acquired by Lawrence Nowell and was donated to Britain at the end of the 17th century. The first transcription of the manuscript was made in 1818. This transcription is valuable because the original manuscript continues to decay; it had been damaged by fire even before the 1818 transcription.