Beowulf Character List and Analysis

Beowulf Character List

(with alternate spellings)

• ❖ Beowulf - the epic hero; the ideal warrior. He is originally a thane, but later becomes a feudal lord and king of the Geats.
• ❖ Grendel - the huge monster who terrorizes Herot, the mead hall of King Hrothgar. He cannot be destroyed by the weapons of men, but Beowulf kills him with his bare hands.
• ❖ Grendel’s mother (also known as the troll wife and Grendel’s dam) - She wants to avenge her son’s death, so she attacks the mead hall.
• ❖ Dragon - A fire-breathing, snake-like monster who ultimately kills Beowulf, but not before it meets its own death.
• ❖ Hrothgar - king of the Danes; He is a wise and generous ruler, but is too old to protect his people from the attack of Grendel.
• ❖ Unferth - a thane in Hrothgar’s court who challenges Beowulf’s superiority as a warrior. He is later forced to recognize Beowulf’s greatness.
• ❖ Wealtheow - Hrothgar’s wife; Her generosity and hospitality make her an ideal queen.
• ❖ Higlac or Hygelac - Beowulf’s uncle and king of the Geats. He is actually a historical figure. The real person died in battle while raiding the European mainland in 521.
• ❖ Healfdanes - Hrothgar’s father.
• ❖ Wiglaf - A young and experienced thane who is the only one to stand by Beowulf in the battle with the dragon. Beowulf chooses him as his successor.
• ❖ Edgetho or Ecgtheow - Beowulf’s father; He was once befriended and offered shelter by Hrothgar.
• ❖ Hrunting - The sword loaned to Beowulf by the repentant Unferth.
• ❖ Wulfgar - The Danish watchman who first sees Beowulf’s ship land on Danish soil.
• ❖ Aeschere - Hrothgar’s close friend and chief advisor who is killed by Grendel’s mother when she comes to retrieve Grendel’s arm.

Hamlet Character List

• CLAUDIUS, King of Denmark
• HAMLET, Son to the late, and Nephew to the present King
• GERTRUDE, Queen of Denmark and Mother to Hamlet
• POLONIUS, Lord Chamberlain
• LAERTES, his Son
• OPHELIA, Daughter to Polonius
• HORATIO, Friend to Hamlet
• FORTINBRAS, Prince of Norway
• VOLTIMAND, CORNELIUS, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN,
• MARCELLUS & BERNARDO, Officers
• FRANCISCO, a Soldier
• REYNALDO, Servant to Polonius