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Characteristics Of The Beowulf Poem - School Essays

Characteristics Of The Beowulf Poem



There are many that make it a
significant part of the history of literature. It is a perfect
representation of how the people in eighth century England communicated,
what their feelings were, and their culture. "It gives us vital
information about Old English social life and about Old English politics
and about many things that scholars would like to have much more
information on."(Raffel ix) Another characteristic is that the Beowulf
poem was passed down orally. The poem contains aspects of Christianity
what form it takes in the story. It is also sort of a history of how the
English language has changed in the many years from then until now. The
poem also contains many mythical ...

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libraries; since his name is written on one
of the folios, Lawrence Nowell, the sixteenth-century scholar, may have
been responsible for Beowulf's preservation."(Raffel ix) An interesting
fact that is unique about the poem is that "it is the sole survivor of what
may have been a thriving epic tradition, and it is great poetry."(Raffel
ix)
The poem was composed and performed orally. "Old English bards, or
scops, most likely began by piecing together traditional short songs,
called heroic lays; they then gradually added to that base until the poem
grew to its present size. The verse form is the standard Old English
isochronic: each line contains for stresses; there is a strong caesura in
the middle of the lines and the resultant half lines are bound together by
alliteration. Although little Old English poetry survives, Beowulf's
polished verse and reflective, allusive development suggest that it is part
of a rich poetic tradition."(Foster 501)
An aspect of the poem is the ...

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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 1/30/2004 02:00:12 PM
Category: Poetry & Poets
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1056
Pages: 4

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