The thanes and Danish people did not blame Hrothgar for their trouble with Grendel because they believed that Grendel was a supernatural being sent by God as a punishment for their sins. They saw Hrothgar as a wise and just ruler who had done nothing to deserve such a tormentor.
A symbol commonly associated with Hrothgar, a legendary Danish king in the epic poem "Beowulf," is a mead hall called Heorot. Heorot represents power, security, and community for Hrothgar and his people. It also symbolizes the civilization and culture Hrothgar has built, which is threatened by the monster Grendel.
Hrothgar asks Beowulf to help him defeat the monster Grendel that has been terrorizing his kingdom. Beowulf responds to Hrothgar by vowing to protect his people and rid them of the monster. He laments about how Grendel has caused so much destruction and sorrow, and how he wishes to avenge the death of Hrothgar's people. There are several similarities between Hrothgar and Grendel and Grendel's mother. Both Hrothgar and Grendel are powerful warriors, and their actions are motivated by a desire for power and revenge. Both are also willing to take drastic measures to protect their people, such as Hrothgar building the great hall of Heorot, and Grendel and his mother attacking the hall. Both are also feared by the people of their kingdom, as they are seen as powerful and dangerous forces.
Hrothgar's mead hall, Heorot, is protected by a "powerful god" that prevents Grendel from entering or harming anyone inside. This divine protection shields Hrothgar and his people from Grendel's attacks.
Grendel terrorizes Hrothgar and his followers by attacking Heorot, the mead hall, every night for twelve years. He kills and eats many of Hrothgar's warriors, causing fear and despair among the people.
Grendel wanted to kill Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, as well as his warriors in Heorot. He also targeted Beowulf, the Geat warrior who eventually defeated him.
Herot is the mead hall built by Hrothgar to serve as a symbol of prosperity, community, and safety for his people. It represents a place of celebration, feasting, and camaraderie, but also becomes a tragic reminder of the terror and destruction caused by Grendel's attacks.
Hrothgar is considered a good king in "Beowulf" because he is portrayed as wise, generous, and values his people's well-being. He establishes a successful kingdom, celebrates the victories of his warriors, and builds Heorot as a symbol of his leadership. Hrothgar's willingness to seek help from Beowulf also demonstrates his humility and commitment to protecting his people.
In the first section of Beowulf, the part that is most clearly exposition is when the narrator provides background information about the Danish King Hrothgar and how his great mead hall, Heorot, was being attacked by the monster Grendel. This sets up the main conflict of the story and introduces the characters and setting.
Grendel terrorizes and kills the warriors in Hrothgar's hall, Heorot, by attacking them at night. His violent and senseless killings create fear and chaos among Hrothgar's people, disrupting their way of life and bringing them great suffering.
Grendel kills the people in Heorot, the Danish king's mead hall, while they are sleeping.
After the initial joy of Grendel's defeat, Grendel's mother seeks revenge by attacking Hrothgar's kingdom. She kills one of Hrothgar's closest advisors, creating further sorrow and fear among the people. This leads to Beowulf's decision to journey to the underworld to face Grendel's mother and bring peace to the kingdom once more.
Hrothgar requests that Beowulf defeat Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon that threatened his kingdom. Additionally, he asks Beowulf to continue to be a leader and protector of his people after the battles are won.