Focus on Words

The poem then jumps fifty years into the future when Beowulf is in old age and king of the
Geats. He then fights his last battle against a dragon that is guardian of a cursed treasure. He
tries to fight the dragon alone, but can only defeat it with the aid of a younger relative, Wiglaf.
The dragon is killed, In the final battle, Beowulf is fatally wounded, and the old king passes
away while gazing on the cursed treasure. The death of Beowulf marks the decline of the Geats,.
The poem ends in mourning for both Beowulf and his nation.
They returned from the sea, joyful and happy. They talked about the fame of
Beowulf that in the entire world there was not a braver warrior, than him. Then a
famous bard composed a song about the killing of Grendel. Thus many songs and
stories helped to spread Beowulf’s fame everywhere.
Now the king with his warriors and thanes entered the great banquet hall. The king
greeted Beowulf and embraced him and said;
“We have suffered a lot from Grendel. Now that you, Beowulf, the best of men,
have done what all of us could not do, I wish to take you into my heart as a son. I have
already vowed that whatever you wish you will have. Your family will live forever
because of the deed you have performed.”
Beowulf was glad to hear such words from Hrothgar and embraced the king. Now
Hrothgar gave the order to clean the beautiful banquet hall, for almost every thing in it
except the ceiling was broken and destroyed. When the hall was again clean, there was
a great feast; Beowulf sat between the two sons of Hrothgar, at the head of the table
near the king and queen. The king and queen gave many precious gifts to Beowulf,
beautiful horses and weapons and armour with precious jewels. Hrothgar did not forget
Beowulf warriors either, and gave each of them a valuable reward for his loyalty and
courage. He did not forget the warrior killed by Grendel and gave a lot of gold to
Beowulf for the man’s wife and children. The feasting stopped for a few moments to
honour the memory of that warrior.
They did not leave the hall when it became dark, for now they had nothing to fear.
Soon there was music and singing and feasting far into the night. At dawn when
Hrothgar and the queen went to their own court he left a strong guard of warriors at the
hall. They cleared away all the benches and tables and made beds on the floor for all.
At the head of each bed was each warrior’s shield and armour and weapons. They were
ready for battle at any moment; but everything was peaceful for the first time in many
years and everybody slept well.
In two days Beowulf prepared to return to his native land with his warriors. There
he became the king of his people when his father died, and ruled the kingdom of the
Goths for many years. During that time he performed many great deeds.
Comprehension
1. Describe Grendel, Hrothgar, Beowulf.
2. Find synonyms in the text
devoted, may be, powerful, help, braveness, important, valuable, soldier, whole.
3. Retell the text using the new words.
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