Beowulf: textual analysis

The extract is taken from the Anglo-Saxon epic poem “Beowulf”. It consist of a single section which deals about Beowulf’s voyage to help his neighbor Heorot in Danemark. 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 sea.

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 translation tries to reproduce the linguistic devices of the original poem.

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 people 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 narrator wants to point out his determination by explaining his plan in short lines and with the repetition of the sound “s”. Beowulf has all the qualities to be a good leader and warrior. All his features make the reader understand that he is loved by everybody: he protects Geats (people from his home-village) and they trust him. This is because people let him go to Danemark, to help their neighbor.

In the following lines the setting changes: Beowulf start his voyage across the sea. The narrator underlines the easy and quick crossing with the simile “she flew like a bird”. The reader can understand that the sea provided a lot of difficulties. On the other hand, people built a strong boat: it means the Anglo-Saxons were good at manual working. This is also highlighted by Beowulf’s equipment, which consist of weapons and war gear. They knew metal-working and they had precious metal deposits (“shining war gear”).

The last part of the text (from line 31 up to 35) tells about Beowulf’s arrival in Danemark. The setting for this sequence is a seaside. It is underlined by the repetition in line 32: “over the side, out on the sand”. When Beowulf and his men arrived there, they first thanked God. The narrator wants to focus their strong religious bond. Moreover, the interlocutor can easily understand that Christianity influenced their life, maybe with trading contacts.

The text describes some aspects of the Anglo-Saxon culture and life. First of all, it tells about their values: they had a strong sense of loyalty and duty; they prized values like strength, power, endurance, generosity and so on. The interlocutor can understand that their values were all linked to warrior society. It tells about their way of life: Anglo-Saxons were trained as warriors (so the reader can understand they conflicted with other populations), they knew crafting and so on. Finally, the extract tells about their religious life.

The whole poem is about the hero’s deeds. A hero is somebody who fights and dies for a good value: he sets a good example to follow. In particular, the message of this passage is to help people in danger / in need.