Poetic Devices in Beowulf

1. Poetic Devices in Beowulf

2. Alliteration-two initial consonant sounds repeated • A. Used in modern poetry, but more extensive in Anglo-Saxon literature • B. In Beowulf, alliteration exists in almost every line, with at least one alliterative word in each hemi-stiche. • C. Double alliteration: two initial consonant sounds that are repeated • Examples: • Wyrm wobogen wealden ne moste • Geaf me sine ond symbel, sibbe germunde

3. Kenningsa metaphorical compound word used as a poetic device • Signifies a person or thing by a characteristic or quality • A noun renamed in a creative way, generally compounding two words • Examples • Bone-house = body • Whale-road = ocean • Gold friend of men = generous prince / king • Ring-giver = lord • Flashing-light = sword

4. SimileA figure of speech involving a direct comparison, using the words “like” or “as” between two basically unlike things that have something in common • Not usually found in Anglo Saxon poetry, but there are a few in Beowulf • Examples • Our love is like a forest fire (compares love with fire; commonality = burning, out of control) • Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives

5. Litotesa negative expression usually in the form of an understatement • It is a grimly humorous statement, an ironic remark • Fits with the tough and gloomy outlook of Anglo Saxon life • EXAMPLE-”Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes.” • –The Jutes have just killed his brother

6. Dictionauthor’s choice of words and phrases in a literary work • In Beowulf, the diction is elevated and generalized, like the diction of other epic poetry • Number of repetitions , number of circumlocutions—use of many words where a few would do) • Used to help the poet memorize lines and as a guide when telling the story • EXAMPLE = Boasts

7. Another Litote Example When Grendel’s mother makes a revenge attack and murders a king’s man the poet observes “no good bargain that they had to pay with the life of a friend.” “bargain” and “pay” are mild terms in comparison to the horror of what happened

8. Gnomic SayingsShort sayings with a moral or ethical basis; general observations about common concerns of life. • Sometimes a general truth is stated, a simple observation based on human experience • wise sayings or 'lore' . 'Gnomic' means wisdom and the verses reveal interesting things about the society and the world view of the people who made them. Although the verses do not rhyme, they have a distinct rhythm which makes them memorable. This was a common function of 'poetry' in ancient times: the rhythms helped people to remember important information. • Example: It was wise on his part to leave her room. • Examples: lines 24-5 as ‘Behavior that’s admired / is that path to power among people everywhere’

9. Laya short narrative focusing on one incident • Digressions • Example: The Fight at Finnsburg • Heremond

10. Epithet • Rarely mentioned only by name • Use of an identifier • Examples: • Hrothgar, ring-giver, a gold friend • Beowulf, Ecgtheow’s son

11. Poetic Analysis of lines 130-237 • Identify 12 examples of alliteration • Cite the line, underline the alliterated words • Identify 7 examples of kennings • Cite the line, underline the kenning, identify what the kenning means • Write a detailed summary of what occurs in lines 130-237 • How does understanding these poetic devices help us better understand the meaning of the poem?

12. Assignment:your group must write your own examples of the following devices: • 5 examples of alliteration (I suggest writing a short poem to do so) • 5 examples of kennings (using modern day people or things) • 5 examples of similes (must then show the comparison and commonality) • 1 example o varying diction (write a sentence or two with an elevated diction write the same sentence with a simple diction) • 2 examples of litotes (show why it is a litote) • 2 examples of gnomic sayings (explain them)