英文神话故事Hrothgar's Hall

欧洲英文神话故事Hrothgar's Hall

Scyld Scefing's sons and grandsons ruled after him, until Hrothgar, his grandson's child, grew to be a man and gained glory in battle. He became leader of the Danish people. Friends and family gathered around him and the band of his followers grew bigger than ever.mead-hall

Then it came into his mind to build a great mead-hall, mightier than any ever heard of on earth. There he could share with his people, the young and the old, the gifts God had given him.

Craftsmen came from far and wide from many tribes to work on the hall, and before long it was finished. Hrothgar named the hall Heorot, and there, as he had promised, he held feasts for his people, gave out gold rings and other gifts. Poets sang to the sound of the harp. The hall-roof was high over the heads of the feasters. Heorot's pointed roof rose far into the sky.

 
Grendel Attacks

s o Hrothgar's people lived well, feasting and laughing in the warm firelight of the hall, never thinking of trouble. Each evening the sounds of their happy talk, the poet's singing and people's laughter floated out from the hall. grendal But Someone heard those sounds, the monster Grendel deep down in his dark den out on the moors, and his heart was filled with wickedness and rage.

So when night came to Heorot, Grendel came also. The great shaggy beast burst into the hall and grabbed the warriors where they lay sleeping. Thirty men he clawed and killed, carried their bleeding bodies to his own dark home.

Night after night it was the same. No one was surprised when warriors wanted to sleep in the farthest buildings, but still they were not safe. Grendel's hatred did not grow less. He killed Hrothgar's people wherever he found them, and for twelve long years Heorot stood empty. The monster ruled there now. At night he camped among the broken tables and benches and slashed with his claws and howled his hatred of Hrothgar's people.

The Danes in Trouble

grendel had begun his killing and he could not stop. The people were afraid, each one wanted to survive. Hrothgar's face was stiff with sorrow. He sat silent, missing his men. A council of the wisest among the Danes met every day to decide what to do.

What do you think Hrothgar and his people should do?

a) Send in the best warriors to fight the monster?

b) Send for help from other tribes?

c) Pray?