Section X
Beowulf silences Unferth with details of his swimming match, and the hall fills with joy and celebration.
22 argumentative units
- 01Beowulf's sword service to enemies
Beowulf claims his sword served him faithfully in repaying enemies who caused him sorrow, preventing them from feasting on him or his companions.
- 02Slaying sea-monsters at dawn
Beowulf describes wounding and killing sea-monsters early in the morning with his blade, leaving them stretched on the ocean shore so travelers could sail safely.
- 03Divine aid and good fortune
Light came from the east as God's beacon, the waves calmed, and Beowulf could see the rocky cliffs, demonstrating that fate often saves the brave and valiant hero.
- 04Defeating nine sea-creatures in night struggle
Beowulf claims to have slain nine nickers (sea-creatures) in a nighttime struggle, a feat harder than any he has heard of regarding creatures in the ocean waves.
- 05Escape and drift to Finland
Despite his wounds and exhaustion, Beowulf escaped the sea-monsters' grip and was carried by the currents and weltering waves to the land of the Finns.
- 06Challenge to Unferth's boasts
Beowulf challenges Unferth directly, claiming no word has been told of Unferth or Breca performing such fearless sword-deeds in battle as Beowulf himself has done.
- 07Accusation against Unferth's fratricide
Beowulf accuses Unferth of killing his brothers and kinsmen with cold-blooded cruelty, condemning him to eternal damnation in hell despite his reputation for wisdom.
- 08Grendel's contempt for Danish warriors
Beowulf argues that if the Danes fought with true courage and ferocity, Grendel would not have harried Heorot so terribly; the demon fears nothing from them because they lack the fierce hatred needed.
- 09Grendel's continued slaughter without contest
Beowulf states that Grendel slaughters and feasts on the Danes without fear, exacting oaths and showing no mercy because they present no real challenge.
- 10The Geats will prove their prowess
In contrast to the Danes' weakness, Beowulf asserts that the Geats' valor and courage will soon venture to grapple with Grendel and prove their warrior worth.
- 11Safe passage after morning comes
Beowulf promises that after the second day breaks with morning light, any warrior will be able to go unmolested to the mead-banquet.
- 12Hrothgar's spirits restored by Beowulf's words
The gray-haired Danish ruler becomes blithesome and joyous, comforted by Beowulf's bold resolution and confident that help is coming.
- 13The hall fills with laughter and cheer
The heroes laugh loudly and the words exchanged are winning and pleasing, creating a joyful atmosphere in the hall.
- 14Queen Wealhtheow's hospitality
The queen, mindful of courtesy, greets the men in the building with gold decorations and presents the beaker first to her husband, the lord of the kingdom.
- 15Wealhtheow distributes treasure-cups
The Helmingish queen graciously circulates among the lesser and greater liegemen, tendering treasure-cups in a gesture of noble generosity.
- 16Queen thanks God for aid and honors Beowulf
Wealhtheow presents the overflowing beaker to Beowulf, the Geat-prince, and thanks God that her wish is accomplished—that she has found solace in sorrow through his arrival.
- 17Beowulf accepts and addresses the queen
Beowulf accepts the beaker from the queen and, equipped for combat, speaks to her of his purpose.
- 18Beowulf's vow to succeed or die
Beowulf swears that he boarded his ship intending to fulfill the people's will either through glorious deeds of daring prowess or by falling in battle and losing his life in the mead-hall.
- 19The queen receives Beowulf's boast favorably
Beowulf's words and boast please the lady greatly, and she returns to sit beside her husband adorned with gold trappings.
- 20Courtly discussion and celebration resume
The hall fills again with courtly discussion and conquerors' shouting as the heroes are happy, continuing until Hrothgar prepares to retire for rest.
- 21Grendel senses the coming battle
The horrid hell-monster understands that a fight is determined because the sun sets, darkness falls over all, and shadowy shapes move about the hall.
- 22Hrothgar entrusts the hall to Beowulf
As Hrothgar departs to sleep, he formally entrusts the noble hall to Beowulf alone, as he has never done with anyone else, charging him to be mindful of honor and prowess and to watch against the enemy.