Name:       Date:      

USING SYNTAX FOR ELABORATION

from Beowulf
Translated by Burton Raffel

Syntax refers to the arrangement of words in correct sentence structure. For

example, a single subject usually drives a single verb. However, writers
sometimes change the usual order of words and instead use syntax for
elaboration in their stories. They employ different syntactic devices, such as
apposition and diazeugma, to emphasize or extend tales of a character’s deeds.
Apposition: Two grammatical elements, usually nouns or noun phrases, are
placed together to limit, clarify, or elaborate the first element.
Diazeugma: A single subject governs two or more verbs arranged in parallel
structure in a sentence to emphasize an action or better describe a sequence of
actions.

DIRECTIONS: Read these phrases from Beowulf. On the line preceding each
one, write A if the phrase contains an apposition or write D if it contains a
diazeugma.

1.       Grendel, who haunted the moors, the wild / Marshes,

2.       Beowulf / Swung his shield into place, held it / In front of him, facing the
entrance.

3.       “Your prince, Healfdane’s son, protector / Of this people, only in friendship:
instruct us,”

4.       He carried that terrible trophy by the hair, / Brought it straight to where the
Danes sat, / Drinking, the queen among them.

5.       Sparkling hills, high and green / Jutting up over the shore,

6.       The best and most noble / Of his council debated remedies, sat / In secret
sessions, talking of terror /

7.       So Grendel ruled, fought with the righteous, / One against many, and won;

8.       They marched, Beowulf and his men / And their guide, until they could see
the gables

9.       Beowulf, / A prince of the Geats, had killed Grendel,

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