Textuality » 3A Interacting
LGrando - four lines analysis (5-8)
by - (2013-02-20)
Up to 3A - Correction of Class Test II
Between line 5 and line 8 the use of enjambment makes reading quicker. Reading suggests Grendel’s speed in scouting the hall he wants to attack. Enjambment at line 5 and 6 ties the lines, which are also connected by anaphora of “u” and of “it”. The atmosphere of the lines is of mystery: the kenning “cloud-murk” connotes the climate giving the idea of darkness, the alliteration of the gloom sound “u”, in contrast with the previous line where the sounds are open, underlines the mysterious space where Grendel moves, and anaphora of “it” creates suspence about monster’s arrival. The main idea of this lines is of monstrosity. The pause given by the comma at line 6 highlight the words “sheer” and “keep”, which are chosen because of the anaphora of “ee” which ties the terms. Moreover the enjambment at line 6 connects the “keep” with “of fortified gold”. The choice of the material gold is interesting because it conveys the idea of light and good, in contrast with the previous lines. At line 7 the ordinary word order is inverted: it focuses the attention on “first time”. Line 8 is longer than other and it is connected by an enjambment with line 7. You must read quick the line, and it recalls the idea of Grendel’s rapidiy. Moreover, the line recalls the gloom sound with alliteration of “ou”. Line 9 is anaphoric connected with line 7, because word order is the same. It focuses the attention on the world creature, which is an interesting semantic choice because recalls affect and underlines the contrast between good and humanity and evil and monstrosity. Moreover the construction ties words “nor” and “keep waiting”. This highlights immediately reflex of Grendel. This idea is confirmed at line 10, which is shorter than line 9 and alliterative use of “s”, with choice of terms “suddenly”, “struck” and “started” recalls the idea of Grendel’s immediate instinctive predator voracity and his speed in attack.