英国文学史及选读第一册-中古英语时代.pptVIP

The poem tells of a hero, a Scandinavian prince named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, half man and half fiend, and Grendels mother, who comes that evening to avenge Grendels death. Fifty years later Beowulf, now king of his native land, fights a dragon who has devastated his people. Both Beowulf and the dragon are mortally wounded in the fight. The poem ends with Beowulfs funeral. Characteristic: use of alliteration, in vigorous, picturesque language, with heavy use of metaphor Beowulf Of men was the mildest and most beloved, To his kin the kindest, keenest for praise.