Beowulf:
     The hero of the epic. Beowulf is the prince of all Geats and a true warrior. He never backs down from battle when it comes to protecting others because of his strong sense of justice. All of his actions are noble and honorable but what most characterizes Beowulf as a hero is his willingness to die and suffer for his ideals. During the course of the poem Beowulf becomes King of Geatland and slays Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the Dragon. Beowulf is killed in combat while fighting the Dragon and it's lair becomes his grave.

Grendel:
     Grendel is a vicious creature that is half-monster and half-human who lives in a den underneath a mere in the swamps. He is a decendant of Cain who represents the evil and corruption within man. Grendel possesses incredible strength and is charmed by a dragon's spell which makes him immune to man-made weapons so none of the Danes can defeat him. Grendel is an outcast from society who lurks in the shadows outside looking in at the humans and so he becomes jealous of their unity and explainations for the unknown(religion) so he attacks them. After waging his "idiotic war" for twelve years the hero Beowulf finally puts an end to him and kills him.

Grendel's Mother:
     Also a decendant of Cain and has the same charm as Grendel that protects her from man-made weapons. After Grendel is slain she avenges her son by raiding Herot Hall, first killing Aeschere, Hrothgar's chief advisor, then taking back her son's dismantled arm. Shortly after her vengeful wrath, Beowulf seeks her out and in an underwater battle kills her with a God-forged sword.

Hrothgar:
     The King of the Danes who is very passionate toward his warriors and his people. Hrothgar is not afraid to show his emotions publicly which is important because during the Anglo-Saxon's time the warrior code prohibited such displays. Hrothgar is a wise and honorable king but lacks the strength to physically combat his and his people's enemies because he is an old king.

Unferth:
     Unferth is a forgotten hero of the Danes because he killed his brother. Fratricide was the worst crime one could commit according to the Anglo-Saxons so Unferths reputation as a warrior after that was destroyed. When Beowulf shows up in Herot claiming he will kill Grendel with his bare hands Unferth becomes extremely jealous of him. However after Beowulf proves himself a true hero he offers Beowulf his sword Hrunting as reconciliation.

The Dragon:
     He is awakened from his eternal slumber by an escaped Geatish slave who steals some of his treasure. Enraged at the disturbace of the thieve who pilfered one of his golden chalices he wreaks havoc upon the countryside destroying King Beowulf's peaceful kingdom. During a battle within his lair the Dragon kills Beowulf with a bite with his venomous fangs however is slain himself by the combined efforts of Beowulf and Wiglaf.

Wiglaf:
     Wiglaf is a loyal warrior who aids Beowulf in his fight against the Dragon and is the only Geat with the courage to follow Beowulf when he sees that the battle isn't going well. After the Dragon is vanquished and Beowulf lays on his final battle ground mortally wounded Beowulf tells Wiglaf to make the Dragon's Den his grave but to give the treasure within to all the Geats. Wiglaf stays with Beowulf until he dies and returns to tell of the battle and the deeds of his noble king taking no credit for the Dragon's defeat although he was the one who struck the killing blow. Wiglaf has the potential to be the superhero that Beowulf was and essentially he will replace Beowulf as the next generation's hero.