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| Beowulf Beowulf, is one of the oldest European epic poems. An epic poem is a long narrtive poem that relates the heroic deeds of a noble hero, who�s actions help decide the fate of a nation, or a group of people. In epics the central character usually has some sort of superhuman qualities and is born of noble birth, or high social class. Beowulf embodies the epic poem style because in this poem Beowulf is the hero that possesses the superhuman power to fight against beast. Beowulf is the son of the king of the Geats. He travels to the distant Danish shores to fight against the great beast Grendel ant to determine the fate of the Dane�s life forever. Beowulf reflects the Anglo-Saxon period by the way the Anglo-Saxons valued strength, courage, and loyalty, in their society. Beowulf men were definitely loyal to him through his fight with the never once beaten creature because they were there aided at his side. Anglo-Saxon literacy device found in this poem are caesura and kennings. Caesura�s are lines separated by a pause such as, �My hands calm: I need no hot.� Kennings such as, �The Geats Great Prince.� Other literary devices found in this epic are allusions, alliteration, foreshadowing and Pagean and Christian Beliefs. An example of alliteration (Line #709) �Came to him, helped, his brave and noble.� Christianity, (Line #84) �Throne, protected by God.� Pagean, (Line #686) Fought with fate against him. The ending of Beowulf indicate the end of traditional ideas when Beowulf is being burned to death by the beast and his men flee. The only one who stays and gives his life for his lord is Wiglaf. The fleeing of Beowulf�s men indicates that the period of loyalty is now being abandoned. |