This is a list of Beowulf characters. Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem. Its creation dates to between the 8th [1] and the 11th centuries, the only surviving manuscript dating to circa 1010. [2] At 3183 lines, it is notable for its length. It has reached national epic status in England (although its setting is Scandinavia, not the British Isles). [3] There are a great many characters in Beowulf ranging from historical people such as Hygelac to supernatural beings such as the dragon.