the legacy of heorot

[reverancepavane]

The essential difference between myth and legend is the resonance of the story to those listening to the tale. If the audience can identify with the tale it gains the status of myth, otherwise it is simply a very old story. By this criteria Beowulf is a legend, as, Asatru aside, very few people can actually identify with the cultural matrix from which the story is drawn. This may account for the vast number of failures in attempts to portray the story in other media. Even changing the genre in which the story is set to science fiction or pulp western doesn't help with this (although it did partially work as a pseudo-chanbarra). So we have a new portrayal out soon, albiet one that has been heavily reimagined and no longer paying heed to Norse traditions. I don't think I've even imagined a version of Beowulf which portrays Grendel's mother in such a light. Anyway, since very few people are cogniscant of the original tale, I thought I'd provide a capsule summary of the events in the original. News reaches the warrior Beowulf that the monster Grendel is terrorising the neighbouring Danes. Beowulf is granted permission of his king (Hygalec of Geatland) to aid the tribe of his birth. Gathering together his most trusted weaponthanes, he sets sail for Denmark, where he is welcomed by the Danish king (Hrothgar), and the bonds of friendship between them are renewed. As night falls, Beowulf and his warriors prepare to meet the monster. Grendel attacks during the night, killing one of Beowulf's companions in a great fight. Beowulf manages to mortally wound the monster, who flees into the darkness. King Hrothgar rewards Beowulf for saving him from the depredations of the monster on his hall (Heorot) in a massive victory feast that lasts well into the next day. So it comes as something of a surprise when The Sea Hag, Grendel's mother, crashes the party and kills Hrothgar's most trusted lieutenant. Beowulf and his warriors track her back to her lair – a haunted lake in the middle of a desolate wilderness. Beowulf dives into the water in pursuit of her, and is captured. After a long and protracted struggle Beowulf finally slays the monster (although in this latest version it is apparently "the little death" that she suffers). They then sail back to Geatland and regale King Hygalec with the tale of their daring-do. They present the gifts of the king of Denmark and are rewarded by Hygalec for their efforts (this being the custom of the time). Some time later, King Hygalec is slain in a raid against the Freislanders, and his son Heardred gains the crown. Very soon afterwards, Heardred is slain by Swedish exiles, and is avenged by Beowulf. Beowulf is then acclaimed King of the Geats. The reign of Beowulf was very much a golden time. He establishes strong alliances with the neighbouring kingdoms, many friendships are made, and Geatland prospers under the peace that he has made. This all comes to an end when a pauper finds a golden goblet in a cave and takes it, not knowing that it was part of a dragon's horde. The dragon is furious when it discovers the theft, and emerges to ravage the countryside. Beowulf orders the manufacture of a great iron shield and, so equipped, faces down the dragon with his companions. However the dragon is so terrifying that even the bravest of his companions flees, leaving Beowulf alone, save for a young warrior named Wiglaf. A mighty battle ensues, and both Beowulf and the dragon are mortally wounded. With his dying breath Beowulf proclaims Wiglaf to be the new King of Geatland. Beowulf is buried in a great barrow overlooking the sea, and Geatland mourns the loss of its greatest king. The dragon's treasure is buried with him (probably due to the reputed curse on dragon gold).