Beowulf 2

A detailed Summary of Beowulf 2

The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christian

monks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior who

kills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivens

the story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her

mind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, and

alliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to

experience this poem which is quite different than most other poetry.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that

ordinarily means one thing is applied to another thing to suggest a

likeness between the two. Metaphors are used extensively throughout the

poem to paint a more colorful picture in the listener's mind. These

metaphors are used in phrases called "kennings". A kenning is a

descriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for a

person or thing. Beowulf is hardly ever called by his actual name.

Instead there are many kennings referring to him, such as: "Prince of

the Weders", "The Son of Ecgtheow", "The Geatish hero", and "The Lord of

would be less interesting and we would learn less about him. Anybody

very important in this long epic poem.

portrays a more gruesome and dramatic scene to the listener's

Metaphors in the kennings, exaggerations, and alliteration all

and lengthy but when a reader takes time to savor the graphic

furnished", and "Showed sea-cliffs shining". This device adds creativity

but quickly clutched / A sleeping thane in his swift assault, / Tore him

Approximate Word count = 748
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Religion

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