Beowulf epic

A detailed Summary of Beowulf epic


Beowulf is one of the oldest existing poems in the English language. Originally written in Anglo-Saxon, it has been translated to give readers the opportunity to enjoy this colorful, heroic poem of England's epic age. It has been declared as a heroic-elegaic poem because of the various characteristics it clearly possesses. An epic consists of a hero who is larger than life. Beowulf is unquestionably a perfect example of this hero because of the amazing acts of heroism he commits. Epic characters also give numerous speeches that revel something about the past or the speaker's characteristics. Beowulf does not give many, but from those he gives, the reader leans about his character traits. The language of the epic style is an elevated, rather formal language. Similes, kennings, and many other literary techniques are used throughout the poem. Beowulf clearly contains many epic characteristics and the following essay will present the evidence needed to support this allegation.

Firstly, epic characters hold high position-kings, princes, noblemen, and members of the aristocracy-but the epic hero must be


The language used in epic style poems is that of a higher language. The epic poet makes use of literary techniques such as similes and kennings. For example, "The ship foamed through the sea like a bird" (Raffel 218) is one of the similes that can be found in this poem. The poet is comparing the motion of the ship to the movement of a bird. An example of a kenning would be "...after nightfall, when Hrothgar withdrew from the/Hall" (Raffel 1234-1235). Kennings are compound words that describe something by its characteristics. These literary techniques make the language of an epic a rather elevated, formal language.

more than that. He must be able to perform outstanding deeds, be greater than the average character, and be of heroic proportions. Most of all, he must have super-human courage. The poet first describes Beowulf as "...greater/And stronger than anyone anywhere in this world" (Raffel 195-196), without informing us about what he did to acquire this reputation. The reader initially sees him through the awestruck eyes of the Danish soldier patrolling the cliffs. Beowulf's appearance--his s

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Wulfgar Danish, Grendel Grendel's, language epic, Anglo-Saxon Old-English, character traits, numerous speeches, epic characters, literary techniques, language epic style, originally written anglo-saxon, larger life, elevated formal, formal language, epic style, similes kennings, elevated formal language,

Approximate Word count = 749
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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