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Examples Of Diction In Beowulf

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Beofwulf’s structure, events, diction, and the story of a complete warrior depict what a true epic poem looks like. The poem shows the reader many events and tragedies that create a long line-filled poem. Beowulf endures many journeys throughout the narrative that solidify as heroic and truly legendary. Many unlikely and superhuman abilities are displayed throughout Beowulf as well. Structure, heroics, and superhuman abilities in the narrative Beowulf, which tells of Beowulf’s journeys, provide a great example of an epic. The structure of Beowulf is set up so well that it has to be an epic. For starters, this poem reaches the required length of an epic. Beowulf is an astonishing 3182 lines long, the one that was read in Mrs. Switzer’s class …show more content…

For example, many long speeches are given throughout. “Who’s soldiers are you, you who’ve been carried in your deep-keeled ship…” (Raffel 152-212). Beowulf’s soldier goes back and forth with the Geats explaining how Beowulf has kept the land safe for so long. The Geats then explain how they are looking for the Prince, Healfdane’s son. Also, the poem uses an elevated diction with a formal tone throughout. “A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growled in pain, impatient as day after day the music rang” (Raffel 1-3). There is an obvious tone that makes the reader read as if they are telling a scary story while still being quite …show more content…

For example, Beowulf was a serious and worthy subject who was head and shoulders above everyone else around. “In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats - greater and stronger than anyone in this world” (Raffel 109-113). Next, a lot of action included feats of superhuman strength. “Grendel to gnaw the broken bones of his last human supper” (Raffel 310). Grendel was so strong that he could humans and chewed their bones. Finally, throughout the whole poem, Beowulf has Gods or supernatural beings that take part in the action to affect the outcome. Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel’s mother, the dragon, the serpentine creatures, and the sea monsters that Beowulf fought in the past have all affected the outcome of the

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