Beowulf Literary Analysis Essay

Ronis Aba September 27th, 2012 Period 6th No better office had forever lived, no prince so mild, no man so exonerated to his people, so deserving of praise. This is an ultimate description of the heroic events of Beowulf, an old Anglo-Saxon verse about a warrior who disputes and destroys trey horrifying monsters. Although indite desire ago, the emotions expressed within this work, emotions of bravery, valor, and ethics tranquillize speak to us centuries later. The nameless author of the poem convinces us through and through the masterful use of miscellaneous literary elements that emphasize its meaning and message.Conflict, imaginativeness and setting are three literary elements that contribute to the effectiveness of the poem. The use of conflict aids us to visualize the struggles between Beowulf and his opposing forces. To begin with, we are first introduced to Beowulfs strength as we read lines 390-392 and the bleeding sinew deep in Grendels shoulder snapped, muscle a nd bone split and broke. This first battle exemplifies the readers revere towards Beowulf this clearly demonstrates that the readers are in fact in awe of Beowulfs strength and capability to fight Grendel with his bare hands.Furthermore in the story, we learn that Grendels mother rose at once and repaid Beowulf with her clutching claws (lines 513-517). This passage shows the readers, not wholly the struggle but, the effort Beowulf put forward to defeating Grendels mother in the hopes of glorification to his people and maintaining his pride. Finally, in lines 768-775, we read, I swear that nothing ever did deserve an end like this. As he dove through the dragons deadly fumes. This final battle grants the readers with the logic of suspense.This is an grand scene because it is shown to the readers that Beowulf is indeed aware that this is his final battle meaning, with or without help, he would have to go to ultimate ends in order to complete his kick of defeating the dragon. Fin ally, these are just some of the many conflicts that help us discover the fights between Beowulf and his differing opponents. Another literary element that offer meaning to the poem is imagery, by simply allowing the readers to envision the events of the story.In the first part of the story (129-134), Beowulf is set forth as coming over seas beating at the sand go the transport foamed through the sea like a bird. This scene rightfully guides the readers to admire the vivid description of how proud and tough the ship looks. This ship in this case, becomes a metonymy for Beowulf himself, who is certainly proud and strong, resulting in the readers admiration. Additional imagery is used describing the mere, or lake, discussed above, with storms an waves splashing towards the sky, as dark as the air as black as the rain that the heavens weep (440-442).This clearly illustrates how dread Grendel and his mothers home is. It intensely aids us to picture how grotesquely unpalatable th e lake actually is. Near the end of the tale (lines 651-653, Beowulf strides with his shield at his brass and a mail shirt of his breast.. Toward the tower, under the rocky cliffs. slice Beowulf awaits the battle, the description of his armor and the power points of each entry help us to respect how ready he is for his concluding battle. Even as an olden man, Beowulf is a hero beyond compare.In closing, the use of imagery greatly enriches the readers date of this heroic epic. Evidently, the setting of Beowulf helps the readers to better determine the cultures and events that occur in the story. In lines 60-63, the mead hall (Herot) is described as standing empty, and staying deserted for years, twelve winters. This makes the readers feel and understand the seriousness of Grendels attack. Before Grendel, Herot was described as a ravishing and happy place, and so the readers feel terrible regret when it is destroyed by the creature.Later in the story, we are shown the lair und er which Grendel and his mother lives secret places, verbose cliffs and a lake which at night.. Burns like a woolly mullein (424-433). This passage shows the readers the monstrous, awful conditions of where the monsters lived. It also causes us to feel disgust and mutual exclusiveness at their horrible habitat. Finally, in the episode with the dragon, its cave is depicted as a hidden entrance with a streaming current of empty and smoke blocking the passage (lines 659-661). The cave is intimidating, helping the readers to believe that the upcoming battle will be a real challenge for Beowulf.And it turns out to be so as the powerful dragon ultimately causes the heros death. Evidently, these settings, along with others, make the stories come alive for the readers. The poet effectively combines the literary elements conflict, imagery and setting to show the reader the qualities of an Anglo-Saxon warrior and hero. To the old English people, no one was more praise worthy than Beowulf, Despite it being written over a thousand years ago, Beowulf shows one important detail of what it takes to truly be a hero, a standard to which we can still relate to today, perhaps more powerfully than ever.