- Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in Old English and tells the story of a Geatish hero who helps the Danes by defeating Grendel and his mother. - The poem consists of four episodes - Beowulf defeats Grendel in Heorot hall, then Grendel's mother seeks revenge, Beowulf later becomes king of the Geats and rules peacefully for 50 years, and finally faces a dragon in his old age. - In his final battle, Beowulf slays the dragon but dies of his wounds, leaving his kingdom to his thane Wiglaf and requesting to be buried in a high barrow overlooking the sea.