Beowulf

- the first great work of English national

literature

- it is an epic poem composed in Old English

consisting of 3, 182 lines

- written in the alliterative verse style

- it is divided into 43 sections

 Alliteration

 so great had grown his guard of kinsmen

 helped to fashion the folkstead fair

 in the darkness dwelt a demon-sprite

 so happy in the hall, the heroes lived

 to work them woe, a wicked fiend

Kenning

 “whale road” – the sea

 “shepherd of evil” – describes Grendel

 “gold- shining hall” – Herot

 “guardian of crime” – Grendel

Foreshadowing:

 Hrothgar warns Beowulf of the

dangers of a prideful life, and how

such a life will ultimately lead to ruin.

Contractes words used:

 ever – e’r

 tomorrow – morrow

 before – ere / fore