Final answer:
King Hrothgar needs help with a monster, Grendel, that is attacking his great hall and eating his men. Beowulf, a Geatish hero, hears of Hrothgar's troubles and comes to his rescue. Monsters in literature often represent evil or the darker aspects of human nature, posing as challenges for the protagonist to overcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
King Hrothgar needs help because there is a monster eating his men. This problem is central to the epic poem “Beowulf”, where Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, faces a dire situation. His great hall, Heorot, has been under attack by a dreadful monster named Grendel, who slaughters Hrothgar's warriors and subjects him to a long torment. The legend of Heorot's plight spreads across the lands until it reaches Beowulf, a warrior of the Geats, who then comes to King Hrothgar's aid.
In various works of literature, monsters serve as central antagonists or obstacles for the heroes to overcome. Such creatures often symbolize the darker aspects of human nature or external evils that must be confronted. Grendel, for instance, embodies the savagery and violence that stand in contrast to the civilizing force of the mead-hall, a place of community and celebration for Hrothgar's people. Beowulf's eventual triumph over Grendel forms a core part of the old English epic, highlighting themes of heroism and the battle against darkness.
Reflecting back on a range of literary works, monsters and significant challenges often provide a backdrop for heroism to be displayed. From ancient texts describing dragons guarding treasures or characters like Ethelred confronting enchantments, to the imagination of monstrous entities such as the Karg in Firdawsi's work or Medea's deadly gift in Greek mythology, literature uses such elements to explore the human condition and the concept of bravery. Similarly, contemporary narratives continue this tradition, allowing readers to engage in the delineation between good and evil through the actions of both heroes and monsters.