Analysis Of The Extract

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”. The adjective “famous” increases the greatness of the actions that Beowulf will do. The repetition of sound “no” in lines 9-10 show us the power of Beowulf and the respect that people gave him, the importance of elder in Anglo-Saxon society as well as the omens that they could if the mission  will be good or bad. “the best he could find” this sentences make us understood the importance of the ability in war for Anglo-Saxon society which was based to. The repetition of sound “c” in lines 16-17 describes the Beowulf’s ability and courage as captain. From line 20 to 24 there is a reference  with Shutton Hoo a ship-burial full of Anglo-Saxon artefacts like weapons, war gear,helmets. Besides the adjective “shining” make us to understood that  Anglo-Saxon are able to work the metals like iron and gold which was used to make weapons, helmets ecc. From line 24 to 25 the sound “w” is repeated so this sound describes the lightness, velocity of the boat, in fact it is also compared to the fligh of a bird through  a simile “ she flew like a bird”. Then the poet describes the Denmark’s landscape so the reader can make up a mental picture. The word “God” show us the importance of religion in Anglo-Saxon world and that Anglo-Saxon was Christians.
This poem conveys the idea of the society, the tradition and the culture of Germanic tribes because it describes the social system and people's values.
Moreover it described the uniforms of warriors and their arms and ship as well as the kind of their territory.
Thanks to this poem we can make a reconstruction of the territory and lifestyle of the population and we can understand better their tradition, religion and culture.