Textuality » 3A Interacting
I'm going to analyzed the first stanza of the epic poem Beowulf.
We can imagine this paragraph subdivided into two parts:
The first covers the first five lines, and its function is to describes Beowulf characterization.
The last one tells about Beowulf's decision to help Hrothgar, the king of Denmark, who is threatened by a monster called Grendel.
Beowulf's characterization is expressed by some linguistic devices which create a climatic tension.
These are: "Hyghelac's thane"; "There was no one else like him alive"; "The mightiest man on earth"; "High-born" and "powerful".
The categories used by the poet creates the characterization are hierarchy, hometown and reputation.
Beowulf is also solidar and generous which are the typical values of the Anglo-Saxon culture.