1. Heroic Courage and Bravery: Beowulf, the protagonist, is summoned to help the
Danes against the monster Grendel. This call to action highlights the hero's
exceptional courage and willingness to confront danger for the greater good.
2. Noble Quest: Beowulf's journey to aid the Danes can be seen as a noble quest, a
fundamental aspect of the hero's call. He embarks on this journey to face a
formidable foe, demonstrating his commitment to heroism.
3. Supernatural Challenge: Grendel, the adversary, possesses supernatural powers,
adding to the heroic nature of the call. Heroes are often called upon to face
extraordinary challenges and adversaries.
4. Victory and Transformation: Beowulf's response to the call and his subsequent
victory over Grendel exemplify the hero's transformation and the fulfillment of his
destiny. This underscores the importance of responding to the call, as it leads to
personal growth and the betterment of society.
5. Legacy: The hero's actions and success in answering the call lead to the
establishment of a lasting legacy. Beowulf's heroic deeds become part of his legacy,
remembered for generations.
In "Beowulf," the call of a hero is a recurring motif that drives the narrative, showcasing
Beowulf's valor, bravery, and determination to confront supernatural forces for the
protection and glory of his people. It highlights the hero's essential role in the epic's
structure and the timeless theme of heroism
n "Beowulf," like in many Old English and epic poems, you can find various phonetic
devices used to enhance the auditory and rhythmic qualities of the verse. Some of these
phonetic devices include:
1. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring
or closely connected words. It's a prominent feature in "Beowulf" and serves to create
a musical quality. For example, in the line "So times were pleasant for the people
there," the repeated "p" sound in "pleasant" and "people" is an example of
alliteration.
2. Assonance: Assonance involves the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are
close to each other. In "Beowulf," it contributes to the overall musicality of the verse.
For instance, "lament" and "days" in the line "This lament / of the good king's death."
3. Kenning: Kennings are metaphoric expressions used to describe everyday things in a
more creative or poetic manner. They often involve compound words or phrases. For
example, "whale-road" is a kenning for the sea in "he fared on the whale-road."
4. Cæsura: Cæsura is a pause or break within a line of poetry, typically occurring in the
middle. It helps to structure the verse and is important for the rhythm and delivery of
the poem.
Easy analysis lines 406- 441 from the following pages
Better Analysis on the next page
In this passage, Beowulf, the hero of the poem, has arrived at the kingdom of the Danes to
aid them in their time of need. The kingdom is plagued by the monster Grendel, who has
been terrorizing the Danes for years. Beowulf, who has come with his fellow Geats, is
welcomed by Hrothgar, the Danish king. Beowulf presents himself as a warrior willing to
take on Grendel and boasts about his own strength and abilities. This passage sets the stage
for the hero's confrontation with the monster.
Phonetic devices such as alliteration, a common feature of Old English poetry, are present
throughout this passage. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby
words, and it contributes to the rhythm and musicality of the poem. For example, in the line
"Hrothgar, their helmsman," the repeated "h" sound is an example of alliteration.
The passage is also notable for its use of kennings, which are figurative expressions used to
describe people, objects, or events in an indirect or imaginative way. An example here is
"battle-torch," which refers to a weapon or sword, emphasizing its role in battle.
This section highlights the hero's confidence and determination, setting the stage for the epic
battle with Grendel. Beowulf's heroic qualities, including his bravery and strength, are
emphasized as he prepares to face the monstrous adversary.