Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

manipulation of Metaphors, extravaganza, and Alliteration in BeowulfThe epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christianmonks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story roughly a warrior whokills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivensthe story, making it feasible for a reader to really see in his or her sense the characters and pointts. Metaphors, exaggeration, andalliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to find out this poem which is quite different than most other poetry.A illustration is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase thatordinarily means one thing is applied to other thing to suggest alikeness between the two. Metaphors are utilize extensively throughout thepoem to paint a more than chatoyant picture in the listeners headspring. These parables are apply in phrases called kennings. A kenning is adescriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple sur conjure up for a individual or thing. Beowu lf is hardly ever called by his literal name.Instead there are many kennings referring to him, such as Prince ofthe Weders, The word of honor of Ecgtheow, The Geatish hero, and The Lord ofthe Seamen. These kennings describe Beowulf to us in a more fireway than just stating the hard facts. Without these kennings Beowulfwould be less elicit and we would learn less astir(predicate) him. Anybodywould say that describing or referring to a soulfulness by his or her nameover and over again is boring. So the use of kennings and metaphors isvery important in this long epic poem. hyperbole is some other device to make Beowulf a moreinteresting, entertaining, and dramatic poem. For example, rase thoughthis story is a fantasy, it is hard to believe that the character ofBeowulf would be able to kill a monster like Grendel with his barehands. Exaggerating Beowulfs valor makes the story more exciting.Another exaggeration used to convince us how great our hero is, is thepassage, Over all t he world, or between the seas, / Or under theheaven, no hero was greater. (671-672). This dazzles the listener withBeowulfs valor. His bravery is again hypertrophied when he jumps in theswamp wearing heavy armor to exhort and kill Grendels mother. Itsunlikely even a strong warrior could win a battle with a she-monster inan underwater cave with a distressed sword. But it adds to the excitement.In the line The head of Grendel, with heavy toil / quadruple of thestoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear/ Grendels head to the gold-decked hall.Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf Epic of Beowulf EssayUse of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in BeowulfThe epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christianmonks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior whokills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivensthe story, making it viable for a reader to really see in his or hermind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, andalliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to bring forth this poem which is quite different than most other poetry.A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase thatordinarily means one thing is applied to another thing to suggest alikeness between the two. Metaphors are used extensively throughout thepoem to paint a more ablaze picture in the listeners mind. Thesemetaphors are used in phrases called kennings. A kenning is adescriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for aperson or thing. Beowulf is hardly ever called by his authentic name.Instead there are many kennings referring to him, such as Prince ofthe Weders, The son of Ecgtheow, The Geatish hero, and The Lord ofthe Seamen. These kennings describe Beowulf to us in a more interestingway than just stating the hard facts. Without these kennings Beowulfwould be less interesting and we would learn less about him. Anybodywould say that describing or referring to a person by his or her nameover and over again is boring. So the use of kennings and metaphors isvery important in this long epic poem.Exaggeration is another device to make Beowulf a moreinteresting, entertaining, and dramatic poem. For example, even thoughthis story is a fantasy, it is hard to believe that the character ofBeowulf would be able to kill a monster like Grendel with his barehands. Exaggerating Beowulfs bravery makes the story more exciting.Another exaggeration used to convince us how great our hero is, is thepassage, Over all the world, or between the seas, / Or under theheaven, no hero was greater. (671-672). This dazzles the listener withBeowulfs bravery. His bravery is again hyperbolise when he jumps in theswamp wearing heavy armor to dispute and kill Grendels mother. Itsunlikely even a strong warrior could win a battle with a she-monster inan underwater cave with a disoriented sword. But it adds to the excitement.In the line The head of Grendel, with heavy toil / quaternion of thestoutest, with all their strength, / Could hardly carry on swaying spear/ Grendels head to the gold-decked hall.