An Old English epic poem about a legendary warrior who defeats monsters including Grendel and a dragon, considered one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature.
Old English compound name meaning 'bee-wolf' (kenning for bear, as bears raid beehives). The poem dates from 8th-11th centuries, preserved in a single manuscript, combining Scandinavian legends with Christian themes.
Beowulf's name literally means 'bee-wolf' - a poetic way of saying 'bear' since bears are the wolves of bees, raiding their hives! This type of metaphorical naming, called a kenning, was typical of Anglo-Saxon poetry and shows how our ancestors saw connections in nature.
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