Beowulf: Real or Fiction?

It is understood that the events that occurred in Beowulf took place during the 5th century. At this time, the Anglo-Saxon Germans were beginning their settlement of modern day England . This heretical background provides a Germanic twist on the story. Yet, there is also evidence of Geatish culture in the story which shows the intertwining of the two backgrounds which provides a mixture of both Monotheistic and Polytheistic beliefs.

Considering the evidence of factual implementation in the poem, would that also provide non-fictitious information over the main hero Beowulf? According to Wikipedia:

"The events described in the poem take place in the late 5th century, after the Anglo-Saxons had begun migration and settlement in England, and before the beginning of the 7th century, a time when the Saxons were either newly arrived or in close contact with their fellow Germanic kinsmen in Scandinavia and Northern Germany."(Angus,1)

"The majority view appears to be that people such as King Hroðgar and the Scyldings in Beowulf are based on real people in 6th-century Scandinavia." (Wiki,1)

Although they state there is alot of legendary attribute to this Hero, there is little evidence as to his existence. He is just a wonderfully decorated fictional character to help express the victorious battles of the 5th century with more preference and points of interest. You can tell with the emphasis on its artistic creations.

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1.Cameron, Angus, et al. Dictionary of Old English (Microfiche). Toronto: Published for the Dictionary of Old English Project Centre for Medieval Studies University of Toronto by the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, 1986/1994

2.(http://www.wikipedia.org)11/24/2010