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Beowulf | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insight

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insight

  1. Beowulf, like almost all Anglo-Saxon poetry, is written with a great deal of alliteration. Alliteration occurs when two or more words in close proximity to one another begin with the same consonant sound. As an example of alliteration, examine the following phrase from our prose rendition:

    “A foundling was he when he first lay friendless; fate later brought
    him solace as he waxed in power and flourished in wealth, until folk
    who lodge on the whale-paths near and far heeded his decree and
    gave him tribute—that was a good king!”

    The consonant f sound is repeated numerous times [foundling, first, friendless, fate, flourished, folk, and far]. The w sound of was, when, waxed, wealth, and whale is another example of the poem's alliteration.

    The alliterative verse structure in the original Anglo-Saxon follows several rules dealing with which words could and should alliterate. A pause, or cæsura, was inserted in the middle of each line of poetry, dividing the line into two parts. The words that were most strongly pronounced or given emphasis in the line were usually the alliterated words. The Prestwick House Literary Touchstone ClassicTM rendition of Beowulf is in prose and does not follow this specific Anglo-Saxon structure. In all other aspects, however, we have remained faithful to commonly accepted translations.

    • The Anglo-Saxon language of Beowulf is filled with compound words called kennings, which, in modern terms, are similar to euphemisms, or periphrases. For example, the term whale-paths indicates the oceans, wave-rider is a boat or ship, ring-giver, folk-friend, or friend to the people stands for a king, and a word-hoard simply means a vocabulary. This usage is evocative of the subject as the writer conceived it—in this way, kennings often indicate an opinion about a noun as well as identifying it. A king, for instance, is one who gives objects of worth or treasure to his supporters; this is the role that the author indicates a king should fulfill. Through the Old English kennings, the idea that the word represents became the word itself. In addition, kennings, because of their multi-syllabic nature, allowed poets to choose phrases that would best fit the verse structure of the poem.

    • At many points in the narrative, the characters are not referred to by name. Hrothgar, for instance, is identified as the white-haired one, a venerable king, a mighty ring-giver, and so forth. The term ring-giver refers to the custom of a king taking golden jewelry he is wearing and bestowing it upon worthy heroes and liegemen.

    • Characters are also referenced by their family relations. Here is a list of common terms for the book's characters:

      Hrothgar:

      shield of the Danes/of the people
      helmet/crown of the Danes
      friend of the Scyldings
      son of Healfdene
      chief of Ing's descendants
      lord of the Ingwines
      white-haired gold-friend of men

      Beowulf

      son of Ecgtheow
      ring-giver (later in the book, when he returns
      home and becomes king)

      Unferth

      Hrothgar's orator
      Ecglaf's son/son of Ecglaf

    • There are also several points in the saga where the plot digresses, and the narrative tells the story of other legendary people. During various feasts in Heorot (the massive gathering hall of the Danish people), a bard or minstrel breaks into song and tells the tale of another king or hero from Scandinavian lore. Each miniature tale corresponds or contrasts in some way to the characters in the larger saga. Beowulf, for example, is contrasted to Heremod: Beowulf is generous and brave, but Heremod is portrayed as mean-spirited and cowardly. These other tales serve to highlight the character traits of the main heroes of the saga.

    • Beowulf includes many juxtapositions of pagan and Christian references. The names of the heathen gods have been omitted from the poem itself, but there are still many references to Fate (Wyrd) or destiny, and the author seems to simultaneously extol both the pursuit of worldly fame and the reliance upon Providence/God. Note that the figure of a boar, which is often mentioned as being mounted on warriors' helmets for protection, is a symbol of Freyr, a Germanic god. Freyr is never mentioned by name; however, at other points in the narrative, the author condemns heathen worship.

      It is quite likely—albeit impossible to confirm—that the Beowulf we now read is altered somewhat from the version known to early Anglo-Saxons. The saga comes from a time when Anglo-Saxon society was in transition from polytheistic pagan religions to Christianity. Numerous references throughout the poem are attributable to Christian beliefs, but others are obviously not. As an example, after his death, no mention is made of Beowulf's entering heaven; he is, in fact, burned on his funeral pyre, a distinctly pagan ritual. Grendel, even though depicted as an inhuman monster, is frequently equated with Cain, the son of Adam.

    • Note the following values of Anglo-Saxon society that are exhibited in Beowulf:

      Fame and renown among those who are alive is paramount. Fame is primarily achieved through victorious combat and heroic deeds, which will be turned into a tale that will survive one's death. The final lines of the epic praise Beowulf's virtues, especially that he was lof-geornost, or the most eager for fame.

      The king, or chieftain, is the shield, shelterer, and protector of the people: He would give up his life for his people. Good kings and chieftains should be generous with their wealth and richly reward those who serve them well. Weak or bad kings, however, would hoard their wealth, not reward their liegemen, and be cruel or unjust—they do not care for or about their people. A group without a king is vulnerable and weak—the lives of individuals in a leaderless group are filled with sorrow, as other tribes can attack them and cause devastation.

      Bravery in battle is a sign of loyalty to a lord because this gains fame, honor, and treasure for him. It is extremely important to be loyal to one's ruler, family, and clan. Good subjects, thanes, and vassals fight for their lord; bad ones will shrink in fear when combat comes.