Examples Of Literary Devices In Beowulf

Literary devices are utilized by authors to further enhance their story and add a layer of depth. In Beowulf, there are many examples of literary devices that help shape this epic into the classic it is. Many of the literary devices found in the epic are used to convey a hidden meaning or shine a light on a very important topic in the story that applies today and back then. These literary devices are not only there to entertain the reader, but to work towards the stories goals in a more creative way. Three very important literary devices found in the epic are imagery, characterization and conflict.

First of all, the imagery found in Beowulf allows the reader to visualize the events happening and contributes an important level of drama. In

In the epic, Beowulf explains how he chooses to fight Grendel: “…that the monster’s scorn of men / Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none / Nor will I. My lord Higlac / Might think less of me if I let my sword / Go where my feet were afraid to, if I hid / Behind some broad linden shield: my hands / Alone shall fight for me, struggle for life” (lines 262-268). Beowulf actions reveal to reader that he is a man of great honor and believes that fair is fair no matter who he duels. These actions easily establish Beowulf as a hero who believes in justice and represent the good and is a great way to begin to create the character of Beowulf. The narrator also describes in the epic Grendel’s actions towards the warriors in Herot: “Grendel came again, so set / On murder that no crime could ever be enough, / No savage assault quench his lust / For evil. Then each warrior tried / To escape him, searched for rest in different / Beds, as far from Herot as they could find” (lines 50-55). The way Grendel kills just to kill and has no qualms about it shows the reader that Grendel is supposed to be viewed as the epitome of evil in the epic. Not only do Grendel’s actions speak volumes about him to the reader, but the warrior’s response to Grendel also reveals a lot about the character as well. The way Grendel is able to

In today’s society the label “hero” tends to be said quite a lot, while that is not a bad thing in most instances it also does not truly represent the definition of hero as people used to see it. For example, in Beowulf a hero is someone who battles against every villain, rides into battle with no fear in their heart and strives for everlasting glory in the end. Remnants of that ideology still hold true today as many times people such as soldiers and firemen are called heroes because they actually do run into dangerous situations very often and people associate them with heroism. Yet there are many other people who others recognize as heroes that do not fit that classic definition. People who inspire others are seen as heroes today. Sometimes a hero is someone who speaks up about something or reveals something about themselves that many people wish that they could say. While Beowulf is a great fighter and a physically a strong man, today strength is not only measured by the size of your muscles or the glory that your name holds. Strength is measured by one’s perseverance in the face of adversity. While like Beowulf a hero must be courageous and an inspiration to others, they do not have to be fearless. A hero today can feel their fear sitting at the pit of their stomach and still decide to push through despite it. Today being fearless does not make you a hero,