Beowulf and Grendel: the fight

Analysis:

The text I’m going to analyze is an extract from “Beowulf”. It is an epic poem and it was originally written in Old English. It is thought it was composed by a Christian author in the 11^th century. It deals with the deeds of Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon hero. The name Beowulf recalls the word “wolf”: it suggests the reader that Beowulf was a strong and brave warrior. The title of the passage is “Beowulf and Grendel: the fight”.

The layout allows the reader to understand that it is a poem. It’s made of four irregular stanzas and it’s organized into lines.

As suggested by the title, the passage tells about the fight between Beowulf and Grendel. It’s a struggle between good and evil.

In the first stanza the narrator tells about Grendel’s arrival to the hall. The setting (moors, mist-bands) surrounds the animal with mystery. In the second line, the alliteration of the sound “g”/”gr” (God-cursed, Grendel, greedly) has two functions: it recreates Grendel’s actions (he strides) and helps the listener to keep in mind the words. Grendel arrives to a rich and precious hall, looking for a prey. The word gold gives also an idea of bright colour. In the eighth line, the narrator draws the listener’s attention with an inversion (nor was that the first time): he wants to point out that Grendel has already scoured Hrotgar’s dwelling.

In the second stanza, the narrator describes Grendel’s attack. The word nor is reprised in the first line to connect the two stanzas. In the second line there is another alliteration (struck, suddenly, started): its function is to highlight Grendel’s sudden action. From line 11 up to 15, the narrator describes how Grendel kills a man. The alliteration of the sounds “b” (bench, bit, bone, bolted, blood, body) and “g”/“gr” (grabbed, gorged) underline his bloody actions. Moreover, the chosen words allow the listener to picture Grendel’s actions in his mind. Beowulf’s reaction to his attack is marked with the repetition of the sound “w” (was raised, where, was bearing, with, claw, when). The words where and when point out the position in space-time. Grendel is caught unawares: the narrator uses words like any and ever. The listener can understand it is the first time that Grendel meets a such strong enemy: he is in a spot.

In the third stanza, Beowulf’s warriors join the struggle to defend his life (this passage is underlined by the sounds “l”, “b” and “s”: lord’s life, laying about, best, could, ancestral blades, stalwart, striking, side, seeking, straight, soul). Grendel stands in their way (lines 31 – 34): the narrator uses negations (not, no) to underline the obstacle, the generic word something to underline insecurity, the word ever to underline impossibility.

In the last stanza Grendel is defeated. There are some words used in the second stanza: body, bone-lappings. Their function is to recreate the same situation. The listener can also picture what happens in his mind, as in the second stanza. Beowulf’s victory is described in a few lines: the narrator tells only about the glory of his winning (underlined by alliteration of the sound “g”) and Grendel’s return to his lair.

In the text there is an ascending climax, given by:

·           Use of short clauses and punctuation at the peaks of the struggle (lines 12 – 15, 25 – 31, 37 – 40);

·           Use of words referring to bloody actions.

The fight is described in the first stanzas, but on the other hand Beowulf’s winning is described in a few lines in the last stanza: it means the narrator attaches more importance to the struggle.

The characterization is indirect: the characters are developed as the story goes on. The listener has to reconstruct characters’ traits by his/hers actions, thoughts, and so on.

Grendel is described as a “monster” (he has claw, talon, …). His appearance strikes fear into people. He is bloodthirsty, aggressive, ferocious and strong. Grendel is also damned by God. He lives in a lair under the fen-banks.

Beowulf is described as a strong, awake and brave hero (as the listener supposed by looking at the title). He has some warriors following him. Beowulf is Higelac’s kin.

The text describes some typical aspects of the Anglo-Saxon culture and life. It tells about:

·           warrior society;

·           values (courage, strength, and so on).