Beowulf is a wonderful Anglo-Saxon epic poem. Its author is unknown.
The poem itself is an amalgamation of Pagan and Christian characteristics. The hero Beowul could be seeing as a Christ-like figure, while at the same time we also come to see heroic ideals and customs of older pagan societies and traditions. A few of the important universal values/themes emphasized in the poem are: Courage, loyalty, strength, seeking fame and immortality through heroic acts, generocity, gratitude, living a noble and honest life, displaying bravery and skill, while at the same time trusting God/fate for the outcome of a situation.

Grendel is a monster who envious of the joy and the music heard from the Danish mead-hall starts attacking the Danish. Beowulf, a Swedish hero of the Geats, hears about the devastation that Grendel causes at King Hrothgar's Hall and decides to help them. Beowulf fights Grendel with his bare hands and defeats him. The Danish celebrate the victory and think themselves safe. However, Grendel's mother is grieving for her son's death and attacks Hrothgar's Hall in order to avenge her son. Beowul kills her also, saves Hrothgar's people and returns glorious and wealthy to his homeland. Eventually, he becomes the king of the Geats. At his old age, a Dragon attacks his people, so once again Beowulf takes action. He kills the Dragon, but he is also mortally wounded himself. He passes the leadership to brave Wiglaf who risked his life to help him kill the Dragon. At the request of the dying hero, after his death, the Geats built a high barrow in his honor for all travellers to be able to see and remember him and his great deeds.