In Recap 4, I talked about how the number 3 unlocks the plot in this poem—3 monsters,
3 battles, 3 funerals.
As for what happens in between, here's the simplest explanation: This poem chronicles
Beowulf's life as a warrior and king ... including flashbacks to the past to keep things interesting.
Beowulf opens with the Danish King, Shield Sheafson's, funeral.
We meet Shield Sheafson's heirs, including king Hrothgar.
Grendel, the monster, starts wreaking havoc in Hrothgar's kingdom.
Beowulf arrives to save the day and we flash back to Beowulf's father and to several tales
of Beowulf's previous exploits.
Beowulf battles the monster, Grendel ... and triumphs!
Flash backs to 3 earlier battles.
The characters celebrate Beowulf's success but ...
Grendel's mother attacks!
Beowulf engages in an underwater battle with Grendel's mother ... and triumphs!
Hrothgar celebrates Beowulf's accomplishments and explains the heroic code for kings.
Beowulf returns to the land of the Geats, flashes back to his recent battles, and offers
treasures to his king, Hygelac.
Suddenly, 50 years have elapsed, Beowulf is now king of the Geats, and there's a dragon
on the loose.
The last third of the poem alternates between dragon-related action and flash backs that
explain Beowulf's political history (basically filling in the 50 years that the poet skipped
over).
The poem ends with an epic battle against the dragon ... and Beowulf's funeral.