Beowul and Grendel: the fight CONNOTATION

The first section’s function is to narrate Grendel’s arrival. The language used deals with a monster’s action and characterization:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the first line, setting (moors, mist-bands) gives the idea of mystery and gloomy. This connotation presents again in the word cloud-mark.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the second line, alliteration of sounds “g” and “gr” connote the monster harshly. Moreover, the alliteration of sound “r”, which is harsh and sour, sends to the monster, who seems to be a terrible beast.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the fourth line, alliteration of sound “h” recalls to the action of hunting.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In all the first section, there is  the typical Germanic syntax, when the subject is put at the end of the line, which has the function of creating suspense and underlining the last words.

So in the first section the narrator tells of how Grendel arrives at Hrothgar’s dwelling. He also connotes the atmosphere of the sequence and the beast.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

In the second section is described Grendel’s attack. Terms and their organization deal with the first section:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the first line, anaphora of sentence which starts with “nor” recalls the last sentence of first section: this coherency means that language and meanings are similar.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the second line, alliteration of sound “s” and terms “started” and “suddenly” underline the unexpected and sudden action of the beast, like the action of hunting conferred to the monster.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the successive sequence, which narrates how Grendel kills a warrior, alliteration of sound “b” gives the idea of  grimness and beastly. This idea deals with the monster’s characterization, underlined with the recall of sound “gr”. The author doesn’t repeat the subject, so he underlines not Grendel but his actions. Finally, the idea of grimness and horror is given by commas which are place at the centre of lines and after a grim term (bone-lappings, lumps, lifeless).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->The successive sequence narrates the Grendel attempt to kill Beowulf. The verbs used by the author gives to the reader delay and suspense, and contrast the verbs used in the previous sequence, where the action is sudden. Only in the final part of the sequence, when Beowulf  reacted, there is past simple. In the last line, alliteration of sound “ck” (comeback, armlock), which is abrupt, gives the idea of sudden, like the previous monster action (attack). Finally, the term utterly now means “hope reaction”, whereas before means “totally lifeless”.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the last five lines, captain of evil is the final word of climax used to connote Grendel: first like a mysterious creature, then like a beast which is hunting, after like a furious and insatiable monster, finally like the captain of evil. Alliteration oh sound “h” underlines the handgrip when the monster discovered himself, and contrast the previous alliteration of “h” when the monster was hunting: from the hunter he has become the prey. The contrast is underlined by  alliteration of “b” in the second to last line. Finally, the long break after the sentence but he could not escape discloses Grendel’s end.

In this section Grendel from the hunter has become the prey: before is described his bestiality in kill a warrior, after the reaction of a hunter more strength than him. The section is based on this contrast.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

The third section narrates the help of  Beowulf warriors:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the first lines, they start with the description of how Beowulf’s warriors try to defend their lord, so is underlined warriors’ courage and strength. Alliteration of sound “s” and “st” connotes the warriors successfully, because underline theirs endurance and dedication to defeat evil and to fight for his lord, so they are heroic.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->In the final sequence, words and sentences organization gives the idea of mystery. Witchcraft is showed only at the last lines, dealing with syntactic structure. The word demon recalls this idea.

In this section is described the magic character of Grendel, which build the monster. Moreover the author underline how warriors, fighting the beast, represent goodness.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

The final section has the function to end Grendel’s attack narration, so it is a very short sequence:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->Alliteration of sound “g” and “gr” underlines now Beowulf’s victory and Grendel’s defeat.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§         <!--[endif]-->Setting (fen-banks, desolate lair) now gives the idea of  defeat and desolation. The words fatally hurt connotes now Grendel not harshly, because he could not terrorize any more, but pityingly.

The idea which this section gives is that Grendel is weak. He was defeated by courage and endurance of Beowulf and this warriors, but his victory isn’t celebrated because is more striking Grendel’s weakness , who, like a beast , is driven into his desolate lands.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->