Ancient tales that passed through countless generations without documentation have adapted to become works of art. Burton Raffel's translation of the novel Beowulf falls under this category. The overall mood is that of an epic, with its dazzling array of heroic qualities. Beowulf portrays the image of an ultimate hero, who represents the beliefs of the Danish monks who scripted this story.

Beowulf's first appearance gives light into his role in the story in general. He and fourteen of his highest qualified Geats traveled an extremely far distance to aid the troubled Danes. Beowulf had heard of the havoc that Grendel had been reaping upon Herot. In fact, just prior to Beowulf's arrival the ferocious beast killed thirty Danes. But Beowulf, the greatest and strongest man in the world, gives the Danes hope for defeating the almighty Beowulf. The people of the meadhall already had an extreme degree...