This is not your high school teacher's Old English epic poem, but something palpably of this century. In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf, to aid King Hrothgar by slaying the monster Grendel. The troubled Danish kingdom has been bedeviled by the demon for years, but in killing him, Beowulf incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother. After killing her, Beowulf returns to the castle and becomes king. Years pass, and all seems well. Is the age of demons finally over? Before he dies, however, Beowulf must face his past weakness and expiate his sins--if his kingdom is to survive.