The Adventurous Journeys In Beowulf

The adventurous journeys Beowulf took during this epic poem are well told with many literary devices strategically placed throughout the book. These devices are not easily distinguished in old literature, although it is clear that alliteration, kenning, and foreshadowing are key components to the stories. Without each of these techniques the poem would lose rhythm and meaning. Although there are many more techniques to point out, alliteration, kenning and foreshadowing give this poem a lot of charm and character one may not expect.

Keep in mind that this time period, during 507 B.C., the Danish and Swedish full-heartedly believed in fate. Therefore it is implied that destiny had already been preplanned for every individual on earth by the scared being, God. This is a huge part of the poem because even in the face of death Beowulf knows his demise, and instead of running away he fights to the death, but not before explaining that,"...fate decides which of us wins." He truly thought this was what was meant to be, just as it had been destined before, that he kill Grendel and his mother.

For example, it is somewhat unclear throughout Beowulf that the 'sea' can be referenced as many things, such as a 'sea road' or even 'whale road'. This type of kenning is funny because sometimes the wording doesn't make much sense, but that's what gives it the authentic touch of old English