Section XXIII

Beowulf addresses Hrothgar before departure, recalling their agreement that Hrothgar will care for his thanes if he falls in battle and will send his treasures to King Higelac as tokens of Hrothgar's generosity.

Beowulf, eager for the fray, wastes no time and immediately plunges into the sea to pursue Grendel's mother.

It takes Beowulf a full day to reach the bottom of the sea where Grendel's mother has dwelt for fifty winters.

Grendel's mother discovers an intruder and immediately grabs Beowulf, but his armor protects him from injury.

Grendel's mother carries Beowulf to her underwater hall while sea-monsters attack him along the way, though his armor shields him.

Beowulf finds himself in a roofed hall protected from water and the currents, illuminated by magical firelight where he sees Grendel's mother.

Beowulf strikes at Grendel's mother with his sword Hrunting, but the weapon fails to penetrate her skin despite its previous success against other armored foes.

Realizing his sword is useless, Beowulf casts it aside and resolves to win through strength and hand-to-hand grappling, knowing that glory requires risking one's life.

Beowulf seizes the monster's mother by the shoulder and hurls her to the floor with great force in the struggle.

Grendel's mother strikes back with force, grappling Beowulf and throwing him to the ground, then sits upon him with her war-knife drawn.

Beowulf's breast-armor and close-woven corslet protect his life by preventing the monster's sword from piercing vital areas, and God's divine justice enables his survival.