Ms. Peifer
10 IB Hour 5
5 December, 2008
In Beowulf it is clear that the Danes value certain aspects
of life, such as community and valor. It is shown that
community is valued at the beginning of the story, with the
building of the mead hall. For example, it is written, "there
(Hrothgar) would dispense/ his God-given goods to young and
old–/but not the common land or people's life"(Heaney lns. 71-
73). This shows that the Danes value and are excited about what
is, effectively, a community gathering place. It is shown that valor
is valued when Beowulf arrives. True, they just need someone to
get rid of their problem, but Beowulf is truly valiant, which was
why the people believed in him so much. For example, the coast-
guard says, "'May one so valiant and venturesome/come unharmed
through the clash of battle'" (lns. 299-300). The Danes honestly
believe that Beowulf is the only one with these qualities.
Alliteration is used masterfully in Beowulf in several instances.
For instance, it is written, "(Grendel was) blundering back with the
butchered corpses"(125), to emphasize the brutality of his actions.
Another example of alliteration is, "spears/in a seafarer's stook, a
stand of greyish/ tapering ash" (328-330). This example is very
helpful in bringing attention to the idea.
Kennings are another literary device put to great use by whoever
wrote Beowulf. For example, he wrote about "a force of shield-
bearers" (1402) when referring to the fifteen or so warriors off to
fight Grendel. "Shield-bearers" is much more interesting than just
"men," and adds to the poetic aspect of the story. Another kenning
is used when Grendel is referred to as "that dark death shadow"
(160); a great comparison to the creature that brought certain brutal
death to whoever he set his eyes on. Kennings are used very well in
Beowulf, and add a lot to the story.
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