The extract is taken from the epic poem Beuwulf.

It consists 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 danger represented by the monster is underlined by the plan announced by Beuwulf, indeed he has to prepare a strategy to face the voyage and return back alive. At line 9 the narrator highlights the authority of Beuwulf, everybody recognize his ability and nobody "tried to keep him from going". In addition, the intelligent reader can understand the importance of the elderly in the Anglo-saxon civilization, this value is presented at line 10. In the next line the narrator provides another information about Anglo-saxons, from the text the reader can notice that they relied on natural signs like the Romans. The text also refers to Beuwulf's ability as a leader. The narration of the voyage starts at line 17, where is told the departure of the boat. At line 21is described the equipment of an Anglo-Saxon warrior. From line 24 to line 27 the narrator adopted a particular strategy to maintain suspense, indeed he proceeds with an accurate description of the weather and the lands around the boat, he uses sweet sounds with the "w" alliterative sounds and the simile "flew like a bird".  From  line 28 to line 30 is described the setting to involve the reader in the events. Finally, from the expression "they thanked God" the reader can understand that the Anglo-Saxon civilization already worshipped on a unique God.