Only Beowulf, foremost among warriors has the courage and strength to fight Grendel the man-wolf. Beowulf feels obliged  to help the Danish king Hroðgar, who himself helped Beowulf’s father pay weregild. He has a series of terrifying quests against Grendel and Grendel’s mother, the hideous sea-hag;  and with the help of Wiglaf fights to the death with the monstrous fire-drake (dragon).