Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem of anonymous authorship. This work of Anglo-Saxon literature dates to between the 8th and the 11th century, the only surviving European manuscript dating to the early 11th century. At 3183 lines, it is notable for its length. Beowulf is sometimes called the national epic of England, despite the inaccuracy of that label. The work was originally written in Anglo-Saxon and pertains to events in Scandinavia.The Question of genre in byliny and Beowulf by Shannon Meyerhoff, 2006.

In the poem, Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, battles three antagonists: Grende...