Rhetorical analysis of Beowulf
Uploaded by spootyhead on Mar 06, 2007
Rhetorical analysis of Beowulf
The story of Beowulf is marked by rhetorical markers throughout. These markers are strategically placed by the author in order to give the story teller of old a break from his memorization; most people were illiterate and could not read for themselves. The person telling the story used these rhetorical markers as a break in the story and his thought process, similar to today’s commercials during a TV show. The one main difference, though, is that rhetorical markers gave us insight into the story, instead of the mindlessness of commercials. Today’s rhetorical marker is for written story and still accomplishes what its purpose was- to inform the reader. Another advantage to the rhetorical marker is the fact that it was useful in explaining more about what was really happening in the story and to get a little background.
Rhetorical markers are aspects of a story that do not move the story along. They provide more of an insight into the story or are in the story to accomplish some other purpose. An example of a rhetorical marker in Beowulf is the story about Beowulf’s swimming match. He and the Danes were sitting in a dining hall after Beowulf’s arrival talking of his known accomplishments. The story that follows this is not part of the action of the story and could be completely deleted from the story; it is used to illustrate Beowulf’s strength and pride. Beowulf was competing in a swimming match with his friend, Breca, and ended up showing his braveness and strength in succeeding at this match. Beowulf says, “It befell me that I slew with my sword nine sea-monsters. I have not heard tell of a harder fight by night under heaven’s arch, nor of man more hard-pressed in the sea streams.” Beowulf, apparently, was not a modest man. He tells of his accomplishment with pride. And so, this shows the Danes that he will be an honorable foe to help them in their fight against Grendel.
Foreshadowing could be considered a form of rhetorical marker. The author is telling us about the story using clues that will happen eventually and not actually telling the story. In the first paragraph of section one of Beowulf the author is describing the hall named Heorot and how it came to...