Shield Sheafson is the originator of the tribe of the Danes. He is glorified in the poem for his courage and strength that led the Danes to many victories as the King. Where he came from is not told, but we're told that he arrived by boat. The poem says, "they shouldered him out to the sea's flood,"" and this is also said to be how he was found when he was a child. "Beowulf" begins with Shield, emphasizing how much the Anglo-Saxton's valued the importance of lineage in their society.
2. Beowulf possesses many qualities that by the definition of the times, make him a hero. The quality of courage is shown when he voluntarily travels to aid the Danes in their battle against Grendel. His strength is another reason he is marked as a hero as the poem reveals it to be the equivalent to thirty men. Beowulf also shows the qualities of loyalty, confidence, and wisdom which all make him a hero. Grendel is considered a monster because he lacks compassion for the human race. Grendel has no sympathy for the innocent and shows this by attacking the "Ring-Danes " when they are sleeping and just finished drinking. .
3. One of the most important qualities in any man of this time was who your father was. This quality is so important the poem begins by mentioning a father, Shield. All of the main characters father's were explained to show how important they were as sons. The history of warrior's ancestors was so important because it showed status. The greater your father was the greater you must be as his son because you have the same blood. Men were the originators of all things great at the time that is why their patriarchal history was so important. .
4. Grendel is a descendent of Cain. The characters in the poem know Grendel is a monster that attacks the men in the mead hall at night and lives in a swamp den. The characters do not realize Grendel is attacking the Danes because Grendel is jealous of the human's happy and joyful life.