hristianmonks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure tale about a warrior who
gets rid of ferocious creatures. The use of explanation and imagery enlivens
the storyplot, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her
mind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, and
alliteration will be three equipment that with each other allow the target audience to
experience this poem which is quite different than most other poems.
A metaphor is a physique of conversation in which a phrase or key phrase that
normally means a very important factor is put on another thing to suggest a
likeness between two. Metaphors are used thoroughly throughout the
poem to fresh paint a more colourful picture in the listeners head. These
metaphors are used in phrases known as kennings. A kenning is known as a
descriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for the
person or thing. Beowulf is rarely called by his real name.
Rather there are many kennings referring to him, such as: Knight in shining armor of
the Weders, The Son of Ecgtheow, The Geatish main character, and The God of
the Seamen. These kinds of kennings identify Beowulf to us towards a more interesting
way than just declaring the hard details. Without these kennings Beowulf
will be less interesting and we might learn significantly less about him. Any person
would say that describing or referring to a person simply by his or her identity
over and over again is boring. So the use of kennings and metaphors is
extremely important in this long epic poem.
Exaggeration is yet another device to create Beowulf an even more
interesting, enjoyable, and dramatic poem. For instance , even though
this kind of story is a fantasy, it is difficult to believe the character of
Beowulf could kill a monster just like Grendel together with his bare
hands. Exaggerating Beowulfs bravery makes the story more exciting.
Another exaggeration accustomed to convince us how great the hero is usually, is the
verse, Over all the earth, or between seas, as well as Or beneath the
heaven, not any hero was greater. (671-672). This dazzles the listener with
Beowulfs bravery. His bravery is definitely again overstated when he jumps in the
swamp wearing hefty armor to fight and kill Grendels mother. It is
unlikely even a strong soldier could win a battle with a she-monster in
a great underwater give with a damaged sword. Nonetheless it adds to the pleasure.
In the line The head of Grendel, with heavy work, / Four of the
stoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on unsteadiness spear
as well as Grendels go to the gold-decked hall. (1109-1112) exaggerations happen to be
made regarding the size and weight with the monsters head. Again, this
portrays a more gruesome and dramatic field to the audience
imagination.
Alliteration, which is repeating similar sound, usually a
consonant, at the beginning of words or in accented syllables, gives
this kind of story a far more poetic sound. Alliteration likewise helped the scops or
storytellers in memorizing the tales. Samples of alliteration may be
found through the poem such as, The Hall of the Center, His promise, give your word
and assure, Dragging the dead guys home to his den, Fitted and
furnished, and Showed sea-cliffs shining. This product adds creativeness
and rhythm to the composition. It helps it be more amusing to read, speak, or
pay attention to such a lengthy story.
Metaphors in the kennings, exaggerations, and alliteration all
aid in developing brilliant descriptions and imagery to entertain and
beautifully tell the story of Beowulf. Imagery, figures of speech that
help the brain to form pictures, are through the entire poem. One of the
strongest illustrations was identified where it reads, The demon delayed not
yet quickly clutched / A sleeping thane in his speedy assault, / Tore him
in parts, bit throughout the bones, as well as Gulped the blood, and gobbled the
skin, / Greedily gorged on the lifeless cadaver, (558-563). This is the
image of Grendel killing one of the soldiers just before his fatal fight with
Beowulf. Great detailed passages are found about Grendels swamp-home
talking about it since, ^a dismal covert as well as Of trees and shrubs that hung over hoary
stone, as well as Over churning water and bloodstained trend. (926-928), ^The
water boiled in a bloody swirling (933) ^The going swimming forms of
sea-dragons, / Dim serpent shapes in the watery depths. These are generally the
pictures that nightmares are made of.
In comparison to our modern day fiction, Beowulf might seem wordy
and lengthy but when a reader takes time to savor the graphic
descriptions, vivid imagery, clever alliteration, and amazing
exaggerations one can possibly understand how this thirteen hundred-year-old epic
poem has survived through the years. It truly is beautifully and creatively
written and offers therefore was the test of time intended for the reader or maybe the
listener.