In Beowulf what does quotation mean:"In the home of the Geats Hygelac's thane gathered the stories of Grendel's tormatment a good man and strong...

This quotation addresses a couple of standard beliefs of
the Anglo-Saxon era, first, the idea that fate determined one's destiny in all things
and second the idea of the oral tradition and its impact on
culture.

The quotation itself can be paraphrased loosely as
in the land of the Geats, King Hygelac had a nobleman who seemed to be born to be the
one to end Grendel's torment.

The idea that a man can be
born to do something is taken relatively literally here.  Beowulf, being strong, brave
and intelligent, is the one chosen by the gods or God, to defeat
Grendel. 

Yet, how did Beowulf even hear of the 12 year
reign of terror handed down by Grendel?  After all, Grendel terrorized Denmark, and the
land of the Geats is across the sea.  The answer is the oral tradition.  Nothing was
written down at this time; no records were kept.  The only way news could travel would
be word of mouth.  This stories of Grendel made their way across the sea in this
fashion, being told and retold until it finally reached Hygelac and
Beowulf. 

Beowulf is certainly willing to intercede because
he, too, wants to be remembered.  If he defeats Grendel, his name will live in the oral
tradition as well, allowing him to live on after his own death.