Beowulf LRJ #1

Kelsey Vandegrift
Ms. Peifer
Hour 5 10 IB
5 December 2008


In the Old English poem Beowulf, values such as community and pride are represented throughout. The importance of community and unity is shown through the creation of Heorot, the mead-hall. King Hrothgar believed strongly in having a place where everyone could be together and enjoy themselves. "...He handed down orders/ for men to work on a great mead-hall/ meant to be a wonder through the world ..." (Heaney 68-70). The hall was a joyous place where people came together to listen to stories, drink mead and forget about any worries. It was a happy place and everyone was invited and encouraged to attend.


Alliteration is very important to the poem. The repetition of the same sounds stress the point that is being made. Examples of alliteration are, "There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes" (4), "... he would dispense/ his god- given goods to young and old" (71-72) and,"...away with a will in their wood-wreathed ship./ Over the waves, with the wind behind her" (216-217. These sentences all flow nicely. Because Beowulf was meant to be an oral story or a song, alliteration makes the story sound better out loud. Repetition of similar sounds add emphasis to the story and create a strong tone when dramatically told aloud.


Kennings are used over and over again in the poem. By using kennings an object can be looked at in a new way. "The leader of the troop unlocked his word-hoard" (258). In this example a "word-hoard" is meant to be a mouth. This shines a new light on a mouth because it makes it sound as if a mouth is only meant for talking. Another example of a kenning is, "...the throne itself, the treasure-seat" (168). Hrothgar's throne is so important that calling it a throne does not do justice. Using the word "treasure" adds to the idea that it is special and one-of-a-kind. A final example of a kenning is, "...this corpse-maker mongering death" (276). Grendel is a terrible monster and who kills people every night. Calling him a "corpse-maker" is just another way to say how gruesome he is.