A: CONTESTUALIZE THE TEXT

The fight against Beuwulf and Grendel, an Anglo-Saxon hero praised for his courage, endurance and ability, and Grendel, a monster that is described as a "being of the night", wherever he moves he is surrounded by darkness. The fight takes place in a Danish kingdom. The events are settled on the 11 century. It is thought the text was composed by a single Christian author. The duel between Beuwulf and Grendel refers to the continuous struggle between good and evil. Beuwulf stands for good while Grendel represents evilness.

B: LAY-OUT

The text is made of four sections which are characterized by a long narrative and an elevated style. It deals with the fight between Beowulf and the monster Grendel.

It also displays the couplet, pairs of lines that rhyme and have the same meter.

C: DENOTATION

In the first section the monster Grendel comes from his land to Hrothgar's dwelling.

In the second section is described the monster's attack who killed Higelac's kinsman, and tried to kill Beowulf while

he was laying on the bed. 

In the third section Beowulf's warriors worked to defend their lord's life, trying to hit the monster as best they could, but they didn't know that no blade on earth could ever damage their demon opponent.

In the finally section is described Beowulf's win and Grendel's return to his desolate lair.