Read the lines again and identify the traits that are most admired in Beowulf.
The traits that are most admired in Beowulf are represented by:
- "there was no one alse like him alive" line 3
- "he was the mightiest man on earth" line 4
- "high-born and powerful" line 5
- "dear as he was to them" line 10
- "like the leader he was" line 13
Reconsider lines 24-30
a- The lines describe the journey by sea.
How long does the journay last?
What information is given about the land they arrive at?
b- Focus on the ship.
Underline in the text the words used to describe it.
What aspects of the ship do the words emphasise?
a- The journey lasts one day.
Reading the lines we learn that the land they arrived at had got sunlit cliffs and sheer crags.
b- The words used to desribe it are:
- "their wood-wreathedship" line 23
- "foam at her neck, she flew like a bird" line 25
The words emphasise the relationship that Beowulf had with its boat. In fact the narrator uses a personification ("her neck" that is refered to a boat)
Consider the sound aspect of the text. Remember that the modern translation tries to reproduce some linguistic features of the original.
a- Do the lines rhyme?
b- Do the lines make occasional or frequent use of alliteration? Justify your answer, quoting from the text.
a- No, they don't.
b- Yes, they do. For example the alliteration of "h" in the first line: "When he heard about Grendel, Hygelac's thane" and the alliteration of the "w" in the fist line of the second part: "Time went by, the boat was on water".
Focus on language.
a- Look back at the poem and find an example of a kenning used to describe the sea in the first part of the extract.
b- Find the simile in lines 24-26 and look at the picture of a Viking ship above. Does the shape of the ship justify the comparison? Give reasons.
a- "The swan's road" is an example of kenning that is referred to the sea to describe the course of water.
b- The simile is: "she flew like a bird". The comparison is justified because the extremes of the ship give the impression of bird's wings.
What function/s do you think the kennings, alliteration and simile serve?
a- They create rhythm
b- They characterise things and people more effectively.
c- They make parts of the poem more memorable.
The poem is informative about certain aspects of the Anglo-Saxon word.
a- Beowulf is a "thane" (line 2): within the social system of the time, he belongs to the military aristocracy. What kind of relationship is there between him and his warriors (line 9)?
b- Consider military dress on the left side of the page. What did warriors wear?
a- The relationship between him and his warriors is based on the respect and on the reciprocal help.
b- Warriors wear a helmet and shields.