Hrothgar has also sought peace with the Heathobards, another Germanic tribe, by giving his daughter in marriage to Prince Ingeld this attempt fails when the Heathobards destroy Heorot, a future event referred to ominously by the Beowulf poet. A connection like that could have aided Hrothgar when he bought a truce for Beowulf's father (470). Wealhtheow is from a Germanic tribe, a Helming or Wylfing. The novelist and scholar John Gardner makes more of that in his fictional account of the tale, titled Grendel (1971) and told sympathetically from the point of view of the ogre. There is an indication that Queen Wealhtheow came to Hrothgar as a result of that kind of union. Feuding tribes might find it in their best interests to unite through marriage. Among the nobility, however, they sometimes were used as peacemakers. The role of women is limited in the epic they were still thought of as chattel, possessions of their husbands. Apparently touched by the queen's grace, Beowulf vows that he will end that night with either victory over Grendel or his own death. She then proceeds through the hall, serving as she goes, but pays special attention to Beowulf, greeting him appropriately and thanking God for sending the great warrior. Following decorum, she offers the first cup of mead to King Hrothgar, her husband. She is beautiful and richly attired, courteous, proper, and "excellent in virtues" (623). Hospitality and generosity are major themes in Beowulf, and Wealhtheow is their most gracious representative. Beowulf hangs the giant's claw under the roof of the mead-hall (926-983).
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Grendel cannot escape, and a vicious match ensues, ending when Beowulf rips Grendel's arm from its shoulder socket. The Geat champion grabs hold of Grendel's claw with the strength of 30 men and won't let go.
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Then he reaches for his second kill, Beowulf. Beowulf lies awake, watching, as Grendel kills and eats one of the warriors. He is delighted when he sees several Geats sleeping in the hall. In some respects, he looks like a man: two arms (something like giant claws), two legs, one head but he is much larger and stronger than most men and might be thought of as a huge, angry monster whose joy is destroying the joy of men. Grendel comes up from the marsh hoping to find a human to devour.