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Theme Of Honor In Beowulf

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Honor: Inhibitor or Ultimate Goal? (An analysis of the use of word choice and literary devices to convey two divergent views on honor) Honor is a funny thing that has motivated course of history since the dawn of time. Elements of this struggle in the quest for honor has been a major theme across the great literature of history. Beowulf for example deals with honor quite a bit. One of the big reasons Beowulf travels to the land of the Geats to slay Grendel is for honor. Hrothgar weeps after his friend has been killed by Grendel and Beowulf pretty much tells him to pull it together. He remind the king that life is short and then you die so while you’re here you might as well earn some glory. This is typically the view taken by most warriors …show more content…

Hotspur clearly thinks honor is more important than life or enjoyment. That much is clear from the passage. However, Shakespeare’s use of hard consonant word enforces the tone of determination and hostility. “Or dive into the bottom of the deep, Where fathom-line could never though the ground, and pluck up drowned honour by the locks.” Dive, bottom, deep, where, fathom, could, ground, pluck, and drowned are all examples of words with a hard consonant sound from this passage. These words create a forceful, determined tone. This creates an emphasis on the overall message of the required force to earn honor and the glorious reward that comes with it. Shakespeare also chooses words that are typically associated with heroism. “And pluck up drowned honour by the locks, So he that doth redeem her thence might wear Without corrival all her dignities.” Word such as pluck conjure the idea of ease, privilege, or power. All of which typically accompany power. Redeem pulls the image of a hero or savior to mind. These distinct word choices create an image of what could be with glory. The use of personification in this same passage adds a sense of urgency to the capture honor. Giving honor a name of sorts and connecting it with a person who needs to be rescued heightens the importance of earning honor. By using personification Shakespeare intensifies the message that honor is of the highest importance and should be sought after at all

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