Beowulf

by Unknown

The poetical device employed in Beowulf is not rhyme, but alliteration,

Each line is divided into two parts separated by a pause, called a caesura. There are four beats in each line; that is to say, two beats in each half-line.

Beowulf is a pagan story overlaid with a patina of Christianity. The setting is a pre-Christian world which was just beginning to listen to the sermons of itinerant Christian preachers.

“Having to read a footnote resembles having to go downstairs to answer the door while in the midst of making love.”

Upon his bosom lay a heaped hoard of riches that, ere long, would float away with him, far o’er the flood.

Woe betide him who, in time of suffering, shall offer his soul unto the embrace of Hellfire, for no comfort will come to him. But well will it be for him who, upon ending the days of his life, his Lord may face and find solace in his Father’s embrace.

“How dare you! Who do you think you are? Your muscles are so big!”

Most impressive way to say, “he spoke.”

With my bare hands alone will I grapple with the adversary and fight to the death, foe against foe. He whom Death shall take must needs trust to the judgment of the Lord.

For Fate oft saves a man not yet doomed to die, if he be dauntless.

A fearful terror came upon the Danes, all the men there in the hall who heard the outcry, heard the enemy of God sing his dreadful lay, his song of defeat, howling his hymns of Hell,

He who sojourns long in this woeful world shall encounter much of joy and sorrow.

The waters beneath the Heavens were bestained by the blood of battle.

He has dominion over all things. At times, He suffers the heart of a high-born man to achieve its desire.

The Lord makes the nations of the Earth subject unto him, an ample kingdom. In his folly, he believes all this will never come to an end. He lives amidst luxury.

The Queen who is a Weaver of Peace should not deprive a dear subject of his life-days because of a fancied wrong.

But seldom, when a Prince is slain, does rest the avenging spear, even though the bride be fair.

Fate was too nigh. It would soon greet the old man, seek the treasure of his soul, sunder life from his body. Not much longer would the spirit of the Prince be enveloped in flesh.

the Dragon, long-lived guardian of the golden hoard. Its fire-breath, in midnight rampages, had issued forth flames of fear to protect the precious treasure, till violently was the beast slain.

the caw of the death-black raven, eager to eat the doomed, shall speak of many things, shall relate unto the eagle how it, with the wolf, consumed the carcasses of the slain.”