Dialectic Journal of the poems "Beowulf", "Grendel", "Tyger", "The Snowman", and "Dreamers" focusing mainly on literary techniques.

Essay by eryka_sHigh School, 12th grade February 2006

download word file, 7 pages 0.0

Downloaded 14 times

"Sea against sand; they stowed away

In the hold of the ship their shining armor...

Will the seamen that sailed her sighted the land

Shining cliffs and coastwise hills," (p14, ln 74-83)

The use of consonance here repeats the sound of the wind. Beowulf and his men are going to go save the Danes. They must cross the sea and the wind acts very favorable and leads them to the way. The "s" sound imitates the sound of a swift and light wind, not a treacherous gust.

"Foam on her breast, like a bird she flew;" (p 14, ln79)

This quote uses personification and smile. The author personifies the ship calling it a she. One refers to ships often as female, but it also gives the ship qualities of tender and nurture. The ship guides them the right way to the Danes just as a mother guides her baby to walk.

A mother would not let anything bad happen to her child just as the ship will not bring danger to Beowulf.

Comparing the ship to a bird giving the voyage a feeling of being swift and smooth like a bird glides in the air. This depicts the image of them getting there safely.

"Hail, King Hrothgar: Hygelac's thane

And kinsman am I. Known is the record

Of deeds of renown I have done in my youth...

I pray thee therefore, prince of the Scyldings,

Not to refuse the favor I ask,

Having come so far, O friend of the Shield- Danes,

That I alone with my loyal comrades,

My hardy companions, may Heorot purge." (p85, ln90-115)

"Beowulf" illustrates how Beowulf is a hero. A hero is the central admirable figure in the novel. He is admirable to the reader and the town's people. He is admirable...