What is the rhyme scheme of Beowulf?

It uses the unique rhyme scheme: abbcac. The original Beowulf is a long poem (at least 3,182 lines exist and many more were likely lost over time) and for Wilbur to retell it might have taken many more stanzas.

What is compounding in Beowulf?

compounding. Old English poetry makes extensive use of compounding, the combining of two words to make a new word. An example is feorhseoc, literally “life-sick” (feorh =life, seoc = sick), which can be translated as mortally wounded.

What is the poetic form of Beowulf?

The Old English epic poem Beowulf is written in alliterative verse. In prosody, alliterative verse is a form of verse that uses alliteration as the principal structuring device to unify lines of poetry, as opposed to other devices such as rhyme.

What are the themes of Beowulf?

There are three main themes found in Beowulf. These themes are the importance of establishing identity, tensions between the heroic code and other value systems, and the difference between a good warrior and a good king.

Why Beowulf is a heroic poem?

Beowulf is an aid to the King of Hrothgar, whose kingdom is being destroyed by a monster named “Grendel”. Beowulf uses his strength and skills to kill Grendel and Grendel’s mother. This is why this poem is described as “heroic”, Beowulf died defending his land and honor.

How many compounds words are there in Beowulf?

In this passage there are 27 unique nominal compounds, or one every five lines, a density even higher than that of Beowulf. Sixteen of the unique compounds share their first element with another compound in the passage, and eleven have a first element in common with another unique compound.

What is poetic compound?

Compounding is combining two words to make a new word. James Joyce and G M Hopkins introduced many poetic compound words through their poetry.

How many lines of poetry are there in Beowulf?

From this period, only some 30,000 lines of poetry remain, about the length of a long best seller. Of this number, 3,182 lines comprise the poem Beowulf. The Anglo-Saxon language reflects a history fraught with conquest and invasion.

Why is Beowulf an anachronistic work of literature?

Beowulf upholds the Christian virtues of the the 5th or 6th century, at a time when much of Scandinavia still worshipped pagan gods. This makes the poem somewhat anachronistic in that it imposes Christian values on characters who would not have possessed them.

When did the Anglo-Saxon period of Beowulf end?

Since Beowulf was written in Old English, any student studying this poem will be helped by learning something of the history of this language, and understanding the basic elements of Old English poetry. According to most historians, the Anglo-Saxon period began in 449 and ended in 1066 with the Norman conquest.