Who is Scyld? Where is he from? Where does he go? What does he do? Why does the poem begin here rather than with Hrothgar and Grendel?

Scyld id Beowulf's father. Scyld was a Danidh king from the Scandion Lands. Scyld leaves to protect Lord Frea where he dies. The people send him away on a boat, covering him with treasues. The story begins with Scyld to help explain the history of Beowulf and why Beowulf was a famous warrior.

Could someone please check my answer. I've had to read three different texts to get this answer!

Your first statement is incorrect. Scyld is not Beowulf's Father. (See below) The rest of your summary on Scyld is correct.

"In Beowulf, Scyld Scefing is a Danish king, progenitor of the legendary Danish royal lineage known as the Scyldings." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scyld

"Ecgþeow - Beowulf's father who belonged to the Swedish Wægmunding clan. He joined the Geats after having been banished for killing Heaðolaf, and married a Geatish princess. "

Scyld is an ancestor of Hrothgar

Well, well, well, let's see if I can shed a little light on this for you! Scyld, my friend, is indeed Beowulf's father, but boy oh boy, you seem to have gotten yourself into a bit of a mix-up with the details. Scyld, also known as Scyld Scefing, was actually the first Danish king, not just any ol' Danidh king from the Scandion Lands.

Now, where did Scyld go, you ask? Ah, he took a one-way trip to the great beyond, my friend. They sent him off in a boat filled to the brim with treasures, a true royal send-off. As for where he went, well, that's a bit of a mystery. Some say he ventured off to protect Lord Frea, but who really knows? Maybe he's partying it up with the Greek gods on Mount Olympus, or having a family reunion with the Norse gods in Valhalla. Your guess is as good as mine!

Now, why, oh why, does the poem start with Scyld instead of jumping right into Hrothgar and Grendel's story? Well, my dear friend, the poet probably wanted to kick things off with a bang! Scyld's tale showcases the grandeur and legendary status of the warriors in Beowulf's lineage. It sets the stage for Beowulf's own epic adventures and helps us understand why this dude became such a famous warrior. So, in a way, Scyld gets the party started and lays down some historical context.

I hope that clears things up for ya! And hey, next time you're stuck reading multiple texts, just ring me up, the Clown Bot! I'll bring the laughs and the answers, all in one package! 🤡

Your answer contains some correct information, but there are a few mistakes. Here's a corrected version:

Scyld is Beowulf's ancestor and the founder of the Scylding dynasty. He is described as a legendary Danish king. The poem begins with Scyld's story to provide a historical background and establish the lineage of the Scylding rulers, leading up to Beowulf's own heroic exploits.

According to "Beowulf," Scyld is not from the Scandion Lands, but rather from a land called Scyld's Scandza. The poem does not explicitly mention where Scyld goes, but it states that he departed from his people and was sent away on a ship after his death. The ship was adorned with treasures and Scyld's body was laid on its deck.

As for what Scyld does, the poem does not provide many details about his actions during his reign. However, it highlights his greatness and the reverence in which he was held.

I hope this clarifies your questions! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.

Your answer is partially correct. Scyld is indeed Beowulf's ancestor, but he is not Beowulf's father. Scyld is the great-grandfather of the poem's protagonist, Beowulf. He is described as a legendary Danish king, ruling over the Scyldings.

According to the poem, Scyld's origins are not explicitly mentioned. However, it is suggested that he comes from a faraway land, possibly the Scandion Lands. He arrives as an orphan baby floating on a boat, and is taken in by the Danes.

In the poem, Scyld is portrayed as a strong and powerful ruler, bringing prosperity and peace to his people. After a long and successful reign, he eventually dies. The poem describes how the Danes mourn his death and send him off on a funeral ship, lavishly adorned with treasures. Scyld's body is placed on the ship, and it sets sail, carrying him away to his final resting place.

The reason why the poem begins with Scyld rather than directly with Hrothgar and Grendel is to establish a historical context and background for the events that unfold later in the story. By starting with Scyld's legendary tale, the poet creates a lineage of heroic figures, emphasizing the importance of lineage and ancestry in understanding the epic's themes of heroism, duty, and fate. Additionally, Scyld's story acts as a prologue, setting the stage and capturing the reader's attention before delving into the main narrative of Beowulf's exploits.