The ideal study guides for today’s students! — 30% off FollettBound editions— NO FEAR LITERATURE Beowulf for warfare and hatred that woke again. Chapter 1 With envy and anger an evil spirit endured the dole in his dark abode, EOWULF became the ruler of the Spear-Danes and was that he heard each day the din of revel Bbeloved by all. He had an heir, the great Halfdane, high in the hall: there harps rang out, whose wisdom and sturdiness guided and protected the clear song of the singer. He sang who knew people. Halfdane had three sons—Heorogar, Hrothgar, and tales of the early time of man, Halga—and a daughter, who married Onela and became how the Almighty made the earth, queen of the Swedes. Hrothgar was such a great warrior that fairest fields enfolded by water, men were eager to fight alongside him. His army grew large. set, triumphant, sun and moon He decided to build an enormous hall, the largest anyone for a light to lighten the land-dwellers, had ever seen. From there, he would rule and give everything and braided bright the breast of earth he could to his people, except for land and his men’s lives. with limbs and leaves, made life for all He brought in workmen from all over the world, and his of mortal beings that breathe and move. immense and noble hall was soon completed. He named it Heorot. Once inside, he kept his promise to give gifts and So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel treasure to his people. But outside the towering walls of a winsome life, till one began Heorot, death and destruction waited. The day was coming to fashion evils, that field of hell. when hatred and murder would return to tear men apart. A Grendel this monster grim was called, demon stalked outside, and he could hardly stand the sounds march-riever mighty, in moorland living, of music and singing that came from Heorot. The Spear- in fen and fastness; fief of the giants Danes sang about the origin of the world and the glory of the the hapless wight a while had kept Almighty, who made them and everything they saw. since the Creator his exile doomed. The people lived in happiness until the demon began his On kin of Cain was the killing avenged evil work. The demon was named Grendel. He lived in the by sovran God for slaughtered Abel. swamps nearby. His Creator had banished him to live among Ill fared his feud, and far was he driven, the monsters of Cain’s family. God had driven Cain out of the for the slaughter’s sake, from sight of men. company of men after he murdered his brother Abel. From Of Cain awoke all that woful breed, Cain sprang a race of giants and elves and evil spirits. They Etins and elves and evil-spirits, fought against God, though they had no chance of winning. as well as the giants that warred with God weary while: but their wage was paid them! 16 ORIGINAL TEXT MODERN INTERPRETATION 17 Beowulf Int_9781454925217_Int_001-204.indd 16-17 2/8/17 11:16 AM STUDY GUIDES Also Available from SparkNotes! NEW A complete list of eligible titles can be found on the order form and TS360 selection list, links found at CATS.baker-taylor.com/Prebinds Promotional discount available through April 30, 2019. .