Analysis of the extract from Beowulf

Beowulf hears about Grendel and decides to travel from his home in Geatland

(southern Sweden) to Heorot (in northeast Denmark) to see if he can help out.

The extract is taken from the epic poem Beowulf. It consists of a single section which deals about Beowulf’s voyage to help his neighbour Heorot. This suggests that the person he wants to help will probably be an important character throughout the poem. Indeed, in an epic poem all characters have some social values: such as heroes, kings or gods, because these poems weren’t only a form of entertainment, but were also a way to present their neighbours (populations). 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 the 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 today. 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 against. 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 it’s 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 addition, 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 an 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 in 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” and choose the right men to join him in his adventurous voyage, “with fourteen others”. Also, by reading the first part of the extract, the intelligent reader can deduce other features of the warrior. He is very courageous, an important value of the Anglo-Saxon civilization. This is marked by his willingness in taking such a voyage and by the fact that no one, not even the elders tried to keep him from going – “nobody tried to keep him from going – no elder denied him”. The narrator also has an interest in making the reader understand the prominent position which Beowulf has compared to the rest “like the leader he was”. In addition, another feature of the protagonist is his loyalty towards the others and being open about his intentions. He does not hide his plan of plying the waves to go and fight Grendel. All this is highlighted by the narrative strategy adopted by the composer: a large use of alliterations. As mentioned previously, Beowulf and his companions are part of a society of warriors, a characteristic that recalls the Anglo-Saxon civilization. The Anglo-Saxon society was organised in family groups, called clans, in which the most important value was loyalty towards the others and the lord of the tribe, physical courage and strength. Values, that the intelligent reader can see in Beowulf. Throughout the extract there are also other parts that are highlighted by the narrator. In the last part of the text these would be the ease of the voyage – “easy crossing on a calm sea” and the closeness of the author to Christian religion – “they thanked God”. Although Christianity had not yet spread at the time the poem was set, the characters involved, that should have been of Pagan belief, were Christians. The idyllic reader for this extract is an intelligent reader such as a high school student, who has the right knowledge and skills to understand what is written on the text and what the writer intentions were. As well as a person who likes reading ancient texts of Anglo-Saxon culture.