Kaiya Reads

Beowulf returns to his liege Hygelac and relates the story of his heroics, while foreseeing the strife and doom that will soon fall upon the Danish world.

Beowulf and Hrothgar exchange parting words and vows of mutual friendship, and Beowulf brings his Geats back over the sea to their liege Hygelac.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Beowulf returns triumphant with the head of Grendel and the hilt of the wondrous giant-sword that had slain Grendel's mother. Hrothgar, seeing in Beowulf the makings of a great king, warns him against the hubris and bitterness that have proven the downfall of legendary kings, and speaks of the wearinesses of his own reign.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Beowulf girds himself for battle and enters the monster-lair, but finds that neither the sword that Unferth lent him nor his own raw strength will avail him against Grendel's mother.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Horror returns to Heorot the night after Grendel's death, as Grendel's mother returns to take vengeance for her son. Once again Hrothgar and the Danes turn to Beowulf for aid.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Kaiya reflects on various aspects of the first part of this epic poem, including the alliterative rhyme scheme, Christianity in Beowulf, the missing cultural context needed to spot foreshadowing, and the role of women in Beowulf's society as presented.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

During the celebration feast for Beowulf's victory over Grendel, Hrothgar's minstrel recounts the tale of an ancient blood-feud between the Frisians and the Danes. In another parallel of ironic foreshadowing, Queen Wealhtheow publicly names her nephew Hrothulf as regent for her young sons should anything happen to King Hrothgar, unaware that in a few years Hrothulf would slay them in his own treacherous bid for the throne.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Hrothgar's minstrel tells the story of the dragon-slayer Sigemund, foreshadowing Beowulf's own future final battle, even as Beowulf is lauded as a hero by all of Hrothgar's court and rewarded richly for defeating Grendel.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Grendel comes skulking to Heorot for the last time, and though the monster's hide is immune to weapons, Beowulf wrestles him with his bare hands and brings Grendel to his doom.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

Unferth the Dane questions Beowulf's mettle, allowing Beowulf the chance to rebut with a list of his accomplishments. Hrothgar and his queen Wealhtheow host a feast for the Geats and wish them luck for the coming night.

Intro/outro music: Awakening by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).