The extract is taken from the epic poem Beowulf. It consist of a single section which deals about Beowulf's voyage to help his neighbor Heorot. It is a narrative text organized into couplets and mainly focuses on the hero's departure and communicates all the actions done and needed to go to see.
It goes without saying that it tells about Beowulf, the protagonist, providing his characterization as well as the idea of the setting, so that intelligent reader can make up a mental picture of what he is reading.
One cannot forget that the language of the extract is not the original version, but is rather a contemporary rendering of an epic poem written in Old English. Old English was a German dialect and could not be understood to they.
The text opens with immediate reference to Grendel, so that the reader understands who the monster is and who the protagonist Beowulf is going to fight. The danger represented by the monster is suggested by the verb "heard" which comes right at the beginning of the line in an alliterative use of the language. This is done on purpose to convey its terrible reputation. Immediately after the reader is provided with information, details about the setting, so that he can better understand where events take place. "Geatland" is the focus of the setting. Immediately the intelligent reader understands the narrative strategy of the composer. The narrator wants to highlight the unique qualities of the hero that may become such just because he is ready to risk his life for a good cause: showing generosity and solidarity with they who are in danger. Beowulf is created as sort of a single personality, not as an ordinary man. "No one else" and "like him" make that clear right from the start. In addiction expressions like "alive" and "on earth" underline his peculiar strength and courage, suggesting that people different from him could not remain alive. Besides reinforcing his highly-positive reputation, the narrator underlines his feasibility in doing any sort of duty. He was "the mightiest man". Again the use of alliteration of the sound "m" anticipates other features of this character protagonist who is from a prestigious family ("high-born") and who has got a power that nobody wants to put into discussion. He was a smart man, able to make the right choice at the right time. He managed to choose the most suitable boat for the voyage, one "that would ply the waves".
After that the story develops with a faster rhythm in fact there are a lot of verbs, conveying the idea of an intensive work: Beowulf gives orders to the other people, he ordered a boat and announced he wanted to help who is attacked by Grendel.
He behaves as a captain, so he's expert in navigation, he's courageous taking this unnecessary risk and also generous because he wants to help a king far from him. Beowulf was admired by his people. As a matter of fact nobody tried to contrast him (lines 9-14). Beowulf's crew was formed by fourteen warriors.
In this part of the poem there are some alliteration; the first alliteration "like the leader he was, enlisting men," (line 13) emphasizes the role of the leader, the second alliteration "cost and currents" (line 16) underlines the sea.
The second part of the story tells about the journey from Sweden to Denmark. The ship is described in details: it carred lots of weapons and a big and a shining battle equipment ("shining war-gear"). The ship is made of wood ("wood-wreathed ship"). In this section there are many phrases separates by commas, this makes the reading smooth and fast.
The ship arrived in Denmark the following day. When the ship arrived it is described as a clash of mail and a thresh of gear. The presents of noise is stressed by alliteration that is the repetition of the initial constant sound in two or more words in a line or consecutive lines.
The journey was not difficult because the sea was quite calm. The warriors were happy and thanked God (line 34-35).