Beowulf Imagery

Examples

"but struck suddenly and started in; he grabbed and mauled a man in hus bench bit into his bone-lapping,bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless," page 47, line 739-743

"Venturing closer his talon was raised to attack beowulf where he lay on the bed, he was bearing in with open claw wjen the alert hero's comeback and armlock forestalled him utterly." pg 47,lines 744-748

"Every bone in his body qauiled and recoiled," pg 48 lines 752-753

"Everyone felt it who heard that cry as it echoed off the wall, a god-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe, the howl of of the loser..." pg 48, lines 783-787

"The monster's whole body was in pain; a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder." pg 49, lines 814-816

During the fight with Grendel, it is important to have imagery so we can create a picture in our mind to better visualize the scene. It provides for a better understanding for the reader.

Examples

1. There was a rumble under ground. Down there in the barrow, Beowulf the warrior lifted his shield; the outlandish thing writhed and convulsed and viciously turned on the king, whose keen-edged sword, an heirloom inherited by ancient right, was already in his hand."-Pg. 87, Line 2558-2564

2. " Swaddled in flames, it came gliding and flexing and racing toward its fate." -Pg. 87, Lines 2569-2570

3. "The mound-keeper went into a spasm and spouted deadly flames; when he felt the stroke, battle-fire billowed and spewed. Beowulf was foiled of a glorious victory. The glittering sword infallible before that day, failed when he unsheathed it, as it never should have."-Pg. 87, Line 2580-2586

4. When a chance came, he caught the hero in a rush of flame and clamped sharp fangs into his neck. Beowulf's body ran wet with his life-blood: it came welling out. -Pg. 89, Line 2690-2693

5. He left the head alone, but his fighting hand was burned when he came to his kinsman's aid. He lunged at the enemy so that his decorated sword sank into its belly and the flames grew weaker." -Pg. 89&90 Lines 2697-2701

Purpose of This Imagery

The imagery in this scene helps us picture more vividly the fight between Beowulf and the dragon. We're able to picture when the fight first starts, and Beowulf is standing strong and undefeated as he was when he was younger, and then we see when his sword fails him. We're then shown Beowulf's death, and how Wiglaf rushed to help him kill the dragon.

Examples:

#3

#2

#1

“Fen-banks”

• Swamp
• p.49 line 819

“Bone-lappings”

• Joints/ligaments
• p.49 line 817

“Sword-play”

• Fighting
• p.46 line 682

#5

#4

“Ring-giver”

• King
• p.62 line 1343

“Sail-road”

• Ocean
• p.63 line 1429

Purpose:

To add description, richness, and meaning to the poem.