Hrothgar was a great warrior in his time, but now he's an old king and can't seem to protect his people. Beowulf Summary. The prologue of ''Beowulf,'' an Old English epic poem, tells the story of the infamous Scyld Scefing, a foundling who became a great and respected ruler. Every night, Grendel attacks King Hrothgar's wealthy mead-hall, Heorot, killing Danish warriors and sometimes even eating them. King Hrothgar, the ruler of the Danes, is troubled by the rampages of a demon named Grendel. Beowulf Prologue (Lines 1–63) Summary & Analysis | LitCharts. Plot Summary. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Beowulf Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Lesson Summary. Beowulf Introduction + Context.