Beowulf’s motivations for helping Hrothgar appear to be threefold: (1) The Danes are in need of help against a monstrous horror and Beowulf believes he can set things right for them; (2) Hrothgar had provided shelter to Beowulf’s father, Ecgtheow, as well as paid werguild in a feud that Ecgtheow had precipitated; and (3) Fighting Grendel will bring Beowulf renown and treasure. Modern audiences may question whether motivation (
