Final answer:
Beowulf travels to Heorot after hearing about King Hrothgar's distress due to Grendel, aiming to defeat the monster and bring peace. This journey, set in the Old English period from 450 to 1066 A.D., marks the start of Beowulf's heroic battles in the epic poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beowulf travels to Heorot after hearing of King Hrothgar's plight with the monster Grendel. This epic poem, originating in the Old English period from 450 to 1066 A.D., details the heroic deeds of Beowulf, including his journey to aid Hrothgar.
In the story, Beowulf, a warrior from Geatland (modern-day Sweden), hears of the terror that Grendel has brought upon Heorot, the mead hall of King Hrothgar in Denmark. Motivated by heroism and the glory of great deeds, Beowulf sets sail to Denmark with his chosen warriors to defeat Grendel and bring peace to the land.
The time when Beowulf arrives at Heorot is a pivotal moment in the epic, signifying the start of his legendary confrontations with Grendel, Grendel's mother, and later, a dragon. The themes of heroism, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil are central to this story and reflect the values of the Anglo-Saxon culture of the time.