Beowulf
Beowulf, the protagonist of the epic, is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf’s boasts and encounters reveal him to be the strongest, ablest warrior around. In his youth, he personifies all of the best values of the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler. Beowulf is also strong and courageous. Once he makes a vow, he stands by his word, no matter what the cost, even if it takes his life. He is reluctant to back down from battle, just so he can be there for the people who are in great need to be saved from evil. He signifies the true heroic character because he is willing to risk his life for his ideals. Beowulf defeats three gruesome monsters, two of whom are descendants of Cain. (Source: Sparknotes)
King Hrothgar
The king of the Danes. Hrothgar enjoys military success and prosperity until Grendel terrorizes his realm. A wise and aged ruler, Hrothgar represents a different kind of leadership from that exhibited by the youthful warrior Beowulf. He is a father figure to Beowulf and a model for the kind of king that Beowulf becomes. He has a great deal of compassion for his warriors and his people. This man isn't afraid to hide his emotions. This is important because at the time, according to the warrior code, a man was not to show his feelings publicly. He builds a mead-hall and names it Heorot for his warriors to celebrate success. Hrothgar is a wise and admirable king to his people, but lacks strength to physically combat his and his people's enemies, as he is an aging King. (Source: Sparknotes)
Unferth
A Danish warrior who is jealous of Beowulf, Unferth is unable or unwilling to fight Grendel, thus proving himself inferior to Beowulf. He doubts Beowulf's power to defeat Grendel, claiming that it is luck that has been helping Beowulf in his previous encounters. Upon learning of Grendel's defeat, Unferth is impressed by Beowulf and presents him his sword as a sign of reconciliation. (Source: Sparknotes)
Hygelac
He is Beowulf's uncle, King of the Geats. It is to him that Beowulf wishes his treasures to be sent if anything should happen to him. He is usband of Hygd. Hygelac heartily welcomes Beowulf back from Denmark. (Source: Sparknotes)
Grendel
Grendel is a monster that is half-man and half-fiend. He is the first monster that Beowulf kills. Also he is enormous and possesses superhuman strength, which makes him undefeatable by the warriors of Denmark. He lives in the bottom of the lake not far from Heorot. Grendel is the descendant of Cain who represents evil and corruption. He has been attacking Heorot, where Denmark's warriors live, for twelve years, causing suffering and misery. Because his ruthless and miserable existence is part of the retribution exacted by God for Cain’s murder of Abel, Grendel fits solidly within the ethos of vengeance that governs the world of the poem. (Source: Sparknotes)
Grendel's Mother
She is another monster that Beowulf kills. She is virtually undefeatable by any human. She is a descendant of Cain. She kills Aeschere as revenge for her son's death. She finally dies in an underwater battle with the hero, Beowulf. An unnamed swamp-hag, Grendel’s mother seems to possess fewer human qualities than Grendel, although her terrorization of Heorot is explained by her desire for vengeance—a human motivation. (Source: Sparknotes)
Wiglaf
He is a warrior who aids Beowulf against the battle with the dragon. At this point, Beowulf is an old aging king. He no longer possesses the power he once had to fight Grendel and his mother. Wiglaf's relationshipo with Beowulf is parallel to Beowulf's relationship with King Hrothgar. A young kinsman and retainer of Beowulf who helps him in the fight against the dragon while all of the other warriors run away. Wiglaf adheres to the heroic code better than Beowulf’s other retainers, thereby proving himself a suitable successor to Beowulf. (Source: Sparknotes)