Analytical essay on Beowulf
Analytical essay on Beowulf
Imagery is language that appeals to the senses. It may be thought of as an illustration in words, which clarifies the meaning of a poem. It is the poet’s intent to make the person or place real to the reader. That is exactly what the author of the epic poem Beowulf does. The character Beowulf goes through many changes and the author shows that with imagery. Some things about the character that change are his strength, his ability not to be hurt, and his style of battle. Throughout the poem Beowulf demonstrates great strength. At the beginning of the poem Beowulf shows super natural strength:
“They have seen my strength for themselves, / Have watched me rise from the darkness of war, / Dripping with my enemies' blood. I drove/ Five great giants into chains, chased/ All of that race from the earth. I swam/ In the blackness of night, hunting monsters/ Out of the ocean, and killing them one/ By one; death was my errand and the fate/ They had earned. Now Grendel and I are called/ Together, and I've come." (Lines 417-426)
As he becomes older he becomes weaker and his strength is not as great. This is shown with his battle with the dragon: “As Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, And he suffered, wrapped around swirling flames a king before, but now a beaten warrior.” (Lines 743-746) Beowulf in his old age had lost most of his great strength.
Beowulf seemed to have super human power. This would be assumed because of his ability to not be hurt. In his youth it seems he could not be hurt. Beowulf’s battle with a sea monster in his youth he says, "my mail shirt, these shining bits of metal/ Woven across my breast, saved me/ from death. A monster seized me, drew me. But fate let me/ Find its heart with my sword, hack myself/ Free" (lines 551-558). In his old age he loses this super human power. “And he suffered, wrapped around swirling flames a king before, but now a beaten warrior” (lines745-746). Without this power he fights the dragon and dies.
Beowulf’s style of battle changes drastically. At the beginning of the poem he fights with no sword or any type of weapon: "Grendel is no braver, no stronger/ Than I am!...