Answer and Explanation:
Beowulf is the main character and hero in the epic poem that takes his name. He has defeated a monster named Grendel that had been terrorizing a kingdom, but now he must defeat Grendel's mother as well.
Beowulf, accompanied by the Danes and the Geats, finds the mother's lair, which is inside a lake. Being the hero that he is, Beowulf dives into the lake to fight her. <u>The Danes and the Geats remain sitting outside, staring into the lake. Once they see "the waves [are] bloodstained," they assume that Beowulf has been defeated and leave. Beowulf's followers, on the other hand, stay, wishing for the hero to return even though it does seem that he is gone.</u> To their delight, he returns victorious from the battle.
