The_Anglo-Saxon_Period.ppt

广东商学院华商学院 安晓芳 ii．Significance of “Beowulf” It is the longest finest of extant old English poems the national epic of the English people. It sings of the exciting adventures of a great legendary hero whose physical strength demonstrates his high spiritual qualities, i.e. his resolution to serve his country kinsfolk, his true courage, courteous conduct, and his love of honor. In the poem, Beowulf is strong, courageous, selfless, and ready to risk his life in order to rid his people of evil monsters. (Thematically, this poem shows how the primitive people fight against the forces of the natural world under a wise mighty leader.) 广东商学院华商学院 安晓芳 iii. Poetic Form and Features of “Beowulf” Form: Beowulf was written in alliterative verse (头韵) . Features: (1) The use of alliteration is one of its most striking features. (In alliterative verse, certain stressed words in a line begin with the same consonant(辅音) sound. There are 4 stresses in a line generally, three or two of which show alliteration, as can be seen from the lines from the end of the poem: “Thus made their mourning the men of Greatland, For their hero’s passing, his hearth-companions Quoth that of all the kings of earth, Of men he was the mildest and most beloved, To his kin the kindest, keenest to praise.” (In modern translation) 广东商学院华商学院 安晓芳 Features of “Beowulf” (2)The use of compound-words to serve as metaphors: “Ring-giver” is used for king, “hearth-companion” for his attendant warriors, “swan’s bath” or “whale’s road” for sea, “sea-wood” for ship, the soldiers are called shield-men; the chieftains are called the treasure keepers; human-body is referred to as the bone- house; God is called wonder-wielder ; monster is referred to as soul-destroyer， “bird’s joy” refers to the wing, “sky’s candle” refers to the sun, etc. (Such metaphors occur in great numbers.) 广东商学院华商学院 安晓芳 (3) The use of understatements(抑言陈述) or euphemism (委婉语) The use of understatements gives an impression of reser