Summary
After Grendel's mother kills Æschere in revenge, Beowulf refuses to let King Hrothgar wallow in grief. Instead of empty comfort, he delivers hard truth: 'It's better to avenge your friend than just cry about it.' This is leadership in action—acknowledging pain while pushing toward solution. Beowulf promises the monster won't escape, no matter where she hides, showing how commitment creates confidence in others. The tracking party follows bloody footprints through treacherous terrain to a horrifying lake filled with sea monsters and Æschere's severed head. The sight devastates Hrothgar's men, but Beowulf doesn't hesitate. He arms himself methodically—chainmail, helmet, and Unferth's sword Hrunting. This preparation matters because he's about to dive into unknown waters to fight an unknown enemy. The chapter reveals how Unferth, who once mocked Beowulf, now lends him his prized weapon but won't risk his own life for glory. This contrast highlights the difference between those who talk and those who act. Beowulf's willingness to enter the monster's domain underwater shows that sometimes solving problems means going where others fear to tread. The chapter builds tension while demonstrating that real leaders don't just make promises—they gear up and follow through, even when the path leads to the most dangerous places.
Coming Up in Chapter 23
Beowulf plunges into the monster-filled lake, leaving the surface world behind. In the underwater lair, he'll face Grendel's mother in her own territory—but will Unferth's legendary sword be enough against a creature that's had centuries to perfect her killing?
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 771 words)
BEOWULF SEEKS GRENDEL'S MOTHER.
Beowulf answered, Ecgtheow's son:
{Beowulf exhorts the old king to arouse himself for action.}
"Grieve not, O wise one! for each it is better,
His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him;
Each of us must the end-day abide of
5 His earthly existence; who is able accomplish
Glory ere death! To battle-thane noble
Lifeless lying, 'tis at last most fitting.
Arise, O king, quick let us hasten
To look at the footprint of the kinsman of Grendel!
10 I promise thee this now: to his place he'll escape not,
To embrace of the earth, nor to mountainous forest,
Nor to depths of the ocean, wherever he wanders.
[49] Practice thou now patient endurance
Of each of thy sorrows, as I hope for thee soothly!"
{Hrothgar rouses himself. His horse is brought.}
15 Then up sprang the old one, the All-Wielder thanked he,
Ruler Almighty, that the man had outspoken.
Then for Hrothgar a war-horse was decked with a bridle,
Curly-maned courser. The clever folk-leader
{They start on the track of the female monster.}
Stately proceeded: stepped then an earl-troop
20 Of linden-wood bearers. Her footprints were seen then
Widely in wood-paths, her way o'er the bottoms,
Where she faraway fared o'er fen-country murky,
Bore away breathless the best of retainers
Who pondered with Hrothgar the welfare of country.
25 The son of the athelings then went o'er the stony,
Declivitous cliffs, the close-covered passes,
Narrow passages, paths unfrequented,
Nesses abrupt, nicker-haunts many;
One of a few of wise-mooded heroes,
30 He onward advanced to view the surroundings,
Till he found unawares woods of the mountain
O'er hoar-stones hanging, holt-wood unjoyful;
The water stood under, welling and gory.
'Twas irksome in spirit to all of the Danemen,
35 Friends of the Scyldings, to many a liegeman
{The sight of Æschere's head causes them great sorrow.}
Sad to be suffered, a sorrow unlittle
To each of the earlmen, when to Æschere's head they
Came on the cliff. The current was seething
With blood and with gore (the troopers gazed on it).
40 The horn anon sang the battle-song ready.
The troop were all seated; they saw 'long the water then
{The water is filled with serpents and sea-dragons.}
Many a serpent, mere-dragons wondrous
Trying the waters, nickers a-lying
On the cliffs of the nesses, which at noonday full often
45 Go on the sea-deeps their sorrowful journey,
Wild-beasts and wormkind; away then they hastened
{One of them is killed by Beowulf.}
Hot-mooded, hateful, they heard the great clamor,
The war-trumpet winding. One did the Geat-prince
[50] Sunder from earth-joys, with arrow from bowstring,
50 From his sea-struggle tore him, that the trusty war-missile
{The dead beast is a poor swimmer}
Pierced to his vitals; he proved in the currents
Less doughty at swimming whom death had offcarried.
Soon in the waters the wonderful swimmer
Was straitened most sorely with sword-pointed boar-spears,
55 Pressed in the battle and pulled to the cliff-edge;
The liegemen then looked on the loath-fashioned stranger.
{Beowulf prepares for a struggle with the monster.}
Beowulf donned then his battle-equipments,
Cared little for life; inlaid and most ample,
The hand-woven corslet which could cover his body,
60 Must the wave-deeps explore, that war might be powerless
To harm the great hero, and the hating one's grasp might
Not peril his safety; his head was protected
By the light-flashing helmet that should mix with the bottoms,
Trying the eddies, treasure-emblazoned,
65 Encircled with jewels, as in seasons long past
The weapon-smith worked it, wondrously made it,
With swine-bodies fashioned it, that thenceforward no longer
Brand might bite it, and battle-sword hurt it.
And that was not least of helpers in prowess
{He has Unferth's sword in his hand.}
70 That Hrothgar's spokesman had lent him when straitened;
And the hilted hand-sword was Hrunting entitled,
Old and most excellent 'mong all of the treasures;
Its blade was of iron, blotted with poison,
Hardened with gore; it failed not in battle
75 Any hero under heaven in hand who it brandished,
Who ventured to take the terrible journeys,
The battle-field sought; not the earliest occasion
That deeds of daring 'twas destined to 'complish.
{Unferth has little use for swords.}
Ecglaf's kinsman minded not soothly,
80 Exulting in strength, what erst he had spoken
Drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent to
A sword-hero bolder; himself did not venture
'Neath the strife of the currents his life to endanger,
[51] To fame-deeds perform; there he forfeited glory,
85 Repute for his strength. Not so with the other
When he clad in his corslet had equipped him for battle.Master this chapter. Complete your experience
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Action Over Comfort
When crisis strikes, people either offer sympathy that keeps you stuck or push toward action that moves you forward.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify who responds to problems with action versus who responds with comfort.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when problems arise at work—track who offers solutions versus who offers sympathy, and position yourself accordingly.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Wergild
The Anglo-Saxon system of blood money - paying compensation for killing or injuring someone instead of seeking endless revenge. It was how communities tried to break cycles of violence and maintain peace.
Modern Usage:
We see this in wrongful death lawsuits where families seek financial compensation rather than vigilante justice.
Thane
A warrior who serves a king or lord in exchange for land, protection, and treasure. They're bound by loyalty oaths and expected to fight when called upon.
Modern Usage:
Like a trusted employee who gets special perks and responsibilities in exchange for total company loyalty.
Comitatus
The warrior code that binds men to their leader through mutual loyalty. The leader provides protection and rewards, while warriors offer their lives in service.
Modern Usage:
Think of tight-knit military units or sports teams where everyone has each other's backs no matter what.
Wyrd
The Anglo-Saxon concept of fate or destiny. Not passive acceptance, but the idea that you must act courageously even when you can't control the outcome.
Modern Usage:
Like knowing you might get laid off but still doing your best work because that's who you are.
Mere
A dark, deep lake or pool, often associated with monsters and supernatural danger in Anglo-Saxon literature. Represents the unknown and threatening.
Modern Usage:
Any scary unknown territory we have to enter - like a new job, difficult conversation, or medical procedure.
Boast
In Anglo-Saxon culture, a formal promise made before witnesses about what you'll accomplish. Not bragging, but making yourself accountable for your actions.
Modern Usage:
Like publicly committing to a goal on social media or telling your boss you'll hit a deadline - it creates pressure to follow through.
Characters in This Chapter
Beowulf
Heroic protagonist
Refuses to let Hrothgar wallow in grief and immediately takes action. He makes concrete promises and backs them up with preparation, showing true leadership through decisive action rather than empty comfort.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who steps up during a crisis instead of just offering thoughts and prayers
Hrothgar
Grieving king
Devastated by his friend's death but allows Beowulf to guide him toward action. He follows the tracking party but clearly needs someone else to take the lead in this crisis.
Modern Equivalent:
The overwhelmed manager who needs their best employee to handle the emergency
Grendel's mother
Vengeful antagonist
Though not directly present, her actions drive the entire chapter. She kills Æschere in calculated revenge, then retreats to her underwater lair, forcing the heroes to come to her territory.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who strikes back hard when you hurt their family, then makes you come to them
Unferth
Reformed skeptic
Lends his prized sword Hrunting to Beowulf but won't go on the dangerous mission himself. Shows how some people support heroes without being heroic themselves.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who gives you resources and advice but won't stick their own neck out
Æschere
Murdered counselor
Hrothgar's trusted advisor whose death triggers this quest. His severed head at the lake shows the real cost of the conflict and what's at stake for everyone.
Modern Equivalent:
The beloved mentor whose loss devastates the whole workplace
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Grieve not, O wise one! for each it is better, His friend to avenge than with vehemence wail him"
Context: Beowulf's response to Hrothgar's grief over Æschere's death
This shows Beowulf's practical leadership philosophy - acknowledge the pain but channel it into action. He's not dismissing grief but redirecting it toward something productive that honors the dead.
In Today's Words:
Don't just cry about it - do something about it
"I promise thee this now: to his place he'll escape not"
Context: Beowulf's commitment to track down Grendel's mother
This is more than bravado - it's a formal pledge that makes Beowulf accountable. By making this promise publicly, he stakes his reputation on following through no matter how dangerous it gets.
In Today's Words:
I give you my word - she's not getting away with this
"Practice thou now patient endurance Of each of thy sorrows"
Context: Beowulf advising Hrothgar on how to handle his grief
Beowulf understands that leadership sometimes means helping others manage their emotions so they can function. He's not telling Hrothgar to stop feeling, but to endure while they work toward justice.
In Today's Words:
I know this hurts, but hang in there while we handle this
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Beowulf refuses to let Hrothgar wallow, instead pushing toward decisive action against the threat
Development
Evolved from earlier displays of strength to now showing emotional leadership and crisis management
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you're the one who has to stop the group complaining and start the group planning.
Class
In This Chapter
Unferth lends his sword but won't risk his own life, showing the difference between supporting and sacrificing
Development
Continues the theme of who actually bears the burden versus who just talks about it
In Your Life:
You see this in coworkers who'll give advice about standing up to management but won't join you in the meeting.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Society expects grief to be processed through mourning, but Beowulf demands action instead
Development
Builds on earlier themes of challenging conventional responses to problems
In Your Life:
You might face this when people expect you to 'take time' after a setback instead of immediately problem-solving.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Beowulf methodically prepares for the unknown underwater battle, showing growth through preparation
Development
Shows evolution from impulsive heroics to calculated courage
In Your Life:
You demonstrate this when you gear up properly before tackling a difficult conversation or challenge.
Identity
In This Chapter
Beowulf's identity as problem-solver means he can't just comfort—he must act, even in dangerous waters
Development
Reinforces that his core identity is tied to action, not just reputation
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when your role as 'the reliable one' means people expect you to fix things others won't touch.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
When Æschere is killed, Beowulf tells Hrothgar 'It's better to avenge your friend than just cry about it.' What does this reveal about how Beowulf handles crisis versus how others might respond?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Unferth lend Beowulf his prized sword but refuse to join the underwater fight himself? What does this tell us about different types of people in dangerous situations?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a recent crisis at work, school, or in your family. Who offered comfort versus who pushed for action? How did each response affect the situation?
application • medium - 4
Beowulf prepares methodically before diving into unknown waters to fight an unknown enemy. When facing your own 'underwater battles,' how do you decide between careful preparation and quick action?
application • deep - 5
The chapter shows people splitting into those who comfort and those who demand action when crisis hits. What does this pattern reveal about human nature and leadership?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Response Team
Think of the last major problem you faced at work or home. List the people who got involved and categorize them: Who offered comfort? Who pushed for action? Who provided resources but stayed safe? Who disappeared entirely? Now identify which response you typically give to others in crisis.
Consider:
- •Notice that both comfort and action have their place - timing matters
- •Consider whether the 'Unferth types' (resource-givers who don't fight) are actually valuable allies
- •Reflect on whether your natural response serves the situation or just makes you feel better
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone pushed you toward action when you wanted to process emotions. Were they right? How did their approach affect your relationship and the outcome?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 23: Into the Monster's Lair
What lies ahead teaches us to prepare for life's most dangerous moments by setting your affairs in order, and shows us backup plans matter when your usual tools fail you. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.