Beowulf LRJ #1

       An important value that can be seen in Beowulf is courage. This trait is especially significant for males because they were the ones expected to stay in the mead hall and face Grendel, no matter the outcome. Courage is also evident through Beowulf's actions. When Beowulf and his men arrived, one of the Dane warriors said, "I have never seen so impressive or large an assembly of strangers. Stoutness of heart, bravery not banishment, must have brought you to Hrothgar" (Heaney 337-339). This is showing how the Dane people respected these men and the courage they were showing by coming to fight Grendel. Beowulf also exhibits courage through his determination to beat Grendel and help the Danes. Beowulf stated, "I meant to perform to the uttermost what your people wanted or perish in the attempt in the fiend's clutches. And I shall fulfill that purpose, prove myself with a proud deed or meet my death here in the mead-hall" (Heaney 634-638). This is courageous because he's risking his life for the greater good. Another value present is honor. The Danes seemed to place great value on honoring rulers or people who performed great deeds. There is evidence that they honored their lord because "Far-fetched treasures were piled upon him, and precious gear" (Heaney 36-37). The Danes also greatly honored Beowulf. "Beowulf's doings were praised over and over again. Nowhere, they said, north or south between the two seas or under the tall sky on the broad earth was there anyone better to raise a shield or to rule a kingdom" (Heaney 855-860). This showed how much they appreciated everything he had done and wanted to make sure everyone knew about it and honored and respected him for it.
       Alliteration is found often throughout Beowulf. An example is, "his God-given goods" (Heaney 72). This quote gives the goods a connotation of being very important and as if they were from the gods themselves. From this the reader is able to realize how meaningful the goods actually are. Another place where alliteration is present is, "The ship rode the water, broad-beamed, bound by its hawswer and anchored fast" (Heaney 301-303). By saying this the author creates an image of the ship for the reader, and makes it seem more daunting through the harsh sound of the letter "b." A final example of alliteration is while describing Grendel the author states that he is, "Greedy and grim" (Heaney 122). This enforces the reader's opinion of Grendel as evil and selfish.
       Kennings are another literary device in Beowulf. One place this happens is the "dark death-shadow" (Heaney 160). This is referring to Grendel and shows how frightening and illusive he is. Another kenning is the "earth's lamplight, lanters for men" (Heaney 95). In this case the earth's lamplight is the sun and the moon.