The story actually takes place in Scandinavia and northern Europe, where it likely originated, and does not mention England at all. It tells of a young Beowulf, whose name means "bright wolf" or "noble wolf", who achieves fame by killing a monster (something like what would later be called a dragon) in a foreign king's court and then its revenge-seeking mama in an underwater lair. A lesser-known continuation of the epic jumps ahead fifty years, after Beowulf has ruled his own kingdom for fifty years and faces a new monster threatening his people. The conclusion of this battle is more tragic — and not just for the monster. A number of other epic stories are woven into the poem.

The original literary form of Beowulf is Old English heroic epic poetry, meant to be sung or chanted to simple musical accompaniment. Each line is divided into two parts that are united by alliteration and similar stresses. Some translations into modern English preserve these characteristics while others take a freer approach.

You can also find Beowulf translated into prose. Although this many strike the modern eye as easier to follow, I recommend a good verse translation that retains the alliterative poetry. Once you get used to it, you'll find the sound and rhythm will carry you along swimmingly. (See translations of Beowulf for samples and comparisons of different versions.)

— Eric