Analysis of the text at page 14-15

The text to be analyzed is composed of four stanzas taken from the epic poem Beowulf. These four parts in the original text are not placed one after the other but they correspond to the verses: 710-717, 738-753, 793-804 and 814-827. These verses describe the various stages of the conflict between the hero Beowulf and the monster Grendel. Each stanza has a different length than the other and in the same way has a different function.

The first paragraph has the function of introducing the situation and the facts set out in the following paragraphs. In particular, this first part introduces the monster Grendel and describes his approach to the dwelling of Hrothgar (the Beowulf’s neighbour who has asked for his help to get rid of the demon). The second stanza is about the arrival of Grendel at the fort of Hrothgar, the murder of a man by the monster, the awakening of Beowulf and its counter-offensive. In the third section are described the action of the Beowulf’s warriors in defence of their leader. The last stanza is used to conclude the facts introduced by the first: it describes the way in which ended the fight between the hero and the monster. This fight ends with the killing of Grendel and the driving of his body to his desolate lair.

This deals with the general understanding of the unfolding of the events described in these excerpts from the poem, but the text can be analyzed on different levels. You can better analyze the various concepts shown by placing in the foreground the ways in which the author / narrator took them back within the narrative.

As regards the first paragraph, the syntactic feature that jumps more in the eyes at a first sight is the length of the various terms used: these are mainly monosyllabic and disyllabic words. The brief nature of the terms of the description emphasizes the speed of the action described thanks to the pressing rhythm created in the reading of the description itself. In this way the character of the antagonist Grendel is presented as a creature fast, unforeseen and ruthless. The images of the sky dark and covered by clouds and of the moors help to create a situation that seems at once dangerous and unpleasant to the reader. Another point that makes it unpleasant the initial presentation of the scene is the alliteration of the sound gr- (Grendel – greedy). With this sound alliterating perhaps the author wanted to enhance the monstrous and hungry character of Grendel placing an emphasis on the noise produced by his approach. Again to highlight the brutality of the character may have been entered the words "of fortified gold" on the fort of Hrothgar. In this way is to create a significant difference between the moors of the devil and the city of the man.

Section two is extremely interesting to bring to surface the narrative strategy adopted by the narrator to make the reader see the monster’s feature and attitude. He is immediate, fast, sudden, voracious, predator and, last but not least, greedy. All that is suggested by the language used: alliterative use of lines connects different parts of narration highlighting certain aspects and leaving others in the background. This particular figure of speech (alliteration) is in the second stanza specifically in the verses: 10, 12, 21 and 23. In the first case the repetition of the sound s- (struck – suddenly – started) is used to complete the description of the monster started by the narrator in the introductory paragraph, pointing out the mournful sound produced by creature. The second alliterating sound (the repetition of b- in the words bit – bone – bolted – blood) is instead used by the narrator to mark the noises produced by Grendel in the act of devouring a man. In the latter two situations instead the sound alliterating serves to highlight the power of the hero who acts in aid of man: the repetition of the sound ha- (handgrip - harder) is used to highlight the strength of the close of the hero; while the resumption of the sound b- (bone - body) underlines the breaking of ALL the bones of the body of the monster, marking again the power of Beowulf.

In this verse, as in the previous, the pressing rhythm of the action is shown by the brevity of the verbs and the names used by the author. The accuracy of the description of the wounds inflicted by Grendel to the man and of the breaking of all the bones of the monster seems to bring some enjoyment in the action of the scene description by the narrator / author. This tells us that at the time of putting in writing the poem (11th century) violence was the practice and was also seen as a means of entertainment.

Short terms, sounds alliterating and enjoyment in the description of the fight scenes are also the focal points of the third stanza; this particular revival of styles of writing creates a link between the various verses and gives unity to the description. As regards the use of alliteration in this part particularly, repeated sounds are present to verses 26, 27 and 34. The first two repetitions, of the sound w- (warriors - worked) and of the sound l- (lord’s – life – lying), serve to highlight the immediate response of the warriors of Beowulf in aid of their lord in danger.

An important detail that highlights the invincibility of Grendel is the fact that, as soon as the blades of the swords come into contact with his blood, they disappear. This statement helps to increase, as previously had the description of the iron grip, the power of Beowulf, his courage and his loyalty (he approaches Grendel still at risk of losing his life). The courage of the hero is stressed also by the fact that he did not know what was going against facing Grendel because he had not aware of the magical/evil properties of his blood.

            The final stanza of this part of the story presents the same characteristics as the previous ones, but with the addition of some longer terms. This could be a ploy to make the reader understand that the battle is over, that the danger is past, as well as the speed of the action and therefore the pressing rhythm of the terms used to describe it. As in the previous paragraphs there is an alliteration, more precisely is located in verse 39 and is characterized by the repetition of sounds s-at the beginning of the terms shoulder – sinews – split. This alliterating recovery is to emphasize the image of the death of Grendel: it seems to describe the sound produced by the rupture of the tendons of the monster.

The conclusion highlights the difference between the joy experienced by men after the killing of the monster and the condition of the demon himself. This contrast is brought out by the author / narrator by joining in verse close to each the terms glory and desolate.