Beowulf | cadernosdeapoio

- Engagement:

- Ladies and gentlemen…:

Probably written between the centuries VII and VIII, the poem introduces us to Beowulf, an idealized Anglo-saxon hero that could represent something else or different, such as a Germanic God or an allegory for a Greek myth, for instance (FLETCHER, 2010, p. 13). Fact is that the poem brings a more dramatic than clear narrative, exposing a conflict between men and evil, with a strong characteristic of the oral marks from the period under discussion. Also influenced by Christianity, the poem focuses on the hero´s personal traits and achievements in its narrative.

- Read it!:

In the darkness dwelt a demon-sprite,

Whose heart was filled with fury and hate,

When he heard each night the noise of revel,

Loud in the hall, laughter and song.

To the sound of the harp the singer chanted

Lays he had learned, of long ago;

How the Almighty had made the earth,

Wonder-bright lands, washed by the ocean;

How He set triumphant, sun and moon

To lighten all men that live on the earth.

He brightened the land with leaves and branches;

Life He created for every being,

Each in its kind, that moves upon earth.

So, happy in hall, the heroes lived,

Wanting naught, till one began

To work them woe, a wicked fiend.

The demon grim was Grendel called;

Marsh stalker huge, the moors he roamed.

The joyless creature had kept long time

The lonely fen, the lairs of monsters,

Cast out from men, an exile accurst.

The killing of Abel, brother of Cain

Was justly avenged by the Judge Eternal.

(PRIESTLEY; SPEARS, 1963, p. 29, emphasis added).

- Pay attention to…:

- Check the words in bold in the poem. What do they say about it?

- The word “Beowulf” is a kenning. Do you know what it is?

“A kenning is a metaphorical compound phrase that replaces a single, concrete noun. A kenning employs figurative language to represent the simpler concept, such as using the phrase ‘battle-sweat’ to refer to blood. Kennings are plentiful in Old Norse and Old English poetry and prose” (www.literarydevices.com). In the case of “Beowulf”, it is the compound of “Bee” and “Wolf”, referring to a bear. Kennings were very common in the period under discussion, and we still can find it in the contemporary vocabulary. Take a look at some examples:

Couch potato (a sedentary person who is sitting in front of the TV very often);

Cancer-stick (a cigarette);

Bookworm (someone who likes reading and, consequently, reads a lot);

Head-hunter (a person who looks after new employees at a high level).

- Alliterations – repetition of consonant sounds – are also largely used in Beowulf.

In the darkness dwelt a demon-sprite…/ Whose heart was filled with fury and hate…/ Huge heap of wood… / … lamenting their lord…/ Comrades and kinsmen swore by his sword / …slaves of soldiers…/ Sprawled in sleep, suspecting nothing…/ …heaped at his door by hell-forged hands…