Alliteration- A number of words having the same first consonant and occur in a series close together. An example of an alliteration is "Up from his swampland, sliding silently." (Beowulf 238). The reason why it's an alliteration is because three words one after the other start with the letter s.
Allusion- An allusion is an indirect or direct reference to a place, thing, person, etc. An example of an allusion is "He was spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel's death." (Beowulf 20-23). The reason why it's an allusion is because it is making a indirect reference to Grendel and Cain because both are evil and have done horrible deeds.
Catastrophe- A catastrophe is the end of a tragedy when the protagonist fails at something major or dies. A example of an catastrophe in Beowulf is " Fate has swept our race away, taken warriors in their strength and led them to the death that was waiting. And now I follow them." (Beowulf 825-827). The reason why it's a good example of a catastrophe is because the quote is from when Beowulf met a tragic defeat from the dragon and death.
Dramatic Irony- Dramatic Irony is when there is a tragic reverse of what the participants expected. A good example of this is when Beowulf first came to help the Danes and met Wulfgar. " My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me to tell you that he knows of your noble birth and that having come to him from over the open sea you have come bravely and are welcome. Now go to him as you are, in your armor and helmets, but leave your battle-shields here, and your spears, let them lie waiting for the promises your words may make." (Beowulf 126-134). This shows that Wulfgar did not entirely trust Beowulf and expected him to hurt his people but later in the poem Beowulf ends up helping the Danes and kills Grendel and Grendel's mother for them.
Flat Character- A flat character is a character that does not change at all and is only there to develop the main characters' story. Grendel is a flat character as he is evil and is only there to eat and kill the people of Herot. Grendel does not posses any real emotions or have a turning point in the story when he thinks what he is doing Is wrong. The only real reason Grendel is in the story is for Beowulf to kill him and further Beowulf's story.
Round Character- A round character is a character with emotions and depth a real person has. A round character would be Beowulf because he changes throughout the story. Beowulf is an epic warrior and sees himself as that so much that he thinks he can defeat any monster. He starts out strong and defeats Grendel without any weapons but later has to use a sword to kill Grendel's mother. In his last battle he got greedy and wanted to kill the dragon for the treasure it guarded. However in that last battle he realized too late that he is not undefeatable and died. It shows that he changed throughout his battles as he got weaker and weaker. Also that he once saw himself as the strongest but in the end he realizes he is not.
Mood- The mood is the emotional effect that the story gives off by what the characters say, images, etc. " Then Wiglaf turned and angrily told them what men without courage must hear. Wexatan's brave son stared at the traitors, his heart sorrowful, and he said what he had to." (Beowulf 845-852). This quote is a good example because it paints the mood as sad.
Protagonist- A protagonist is the main character in the story that has a goal or mission to complete. The protagonist in the poem is Beowulf as it's his trials and tribulations that make the story. Beowulf is the one who has the goal of defeating the monsters and bringing peace to the people.
Reversal- The reversal is a big change of luck for the main character at a closing moment in the story. The quote " Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift it's carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, and then, savage, now, angry and desperate, lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through." (Beowulf 514-522) is a good example because it shows his reversal of luck. Beowulf was struggling to kill Grendel's mother and might have died if he did not see that sword at the last second and killed her. He went from having bad luck to good.
Tragic Irony- Tragic irony is when the most noble person dies because of their excellence. The quote " Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged as Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, and he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames-a king, before, but now a beaten warrior." ( Beowulf 687-690) is a good example of tragic irony because Beowulf killed the two other monsters before and it seems he will be able to kill the dragon but he actually dies. The readers think that since Beowulf lived on into his old age that he will live till the end of the book but that was not the case. Beowulf died from his excellence because he thought that he still had the same strength he had when he defeated Grendel and Grendel's mother. However he did not have the same strength that he was known for and it let him down and was what ultimately lead to his death. No human can run from old age or death.
Allusion- An allusion is an indirect or direct reference to a place, thing, person, etc. An example of an allusion is "He was spawned in that slime, conceived by a pair of those monsters born of Cain, murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel's death." (Beowulf 20-23). The reason why it's an allusion is because it is making a indirect reference to Grendel and Cain because both are evil and have done horrible deeds.
Catastrophe- A catastrophe is the end of a tragedy when the protagonist fails at something major or dies. A example of an catastrophe in Beowulf is " Fate has swept our race away, taken warriors in their strength and led them to the death that was waiting. And now I follow them." (Beowulf 825-827). The reason why it's a good example of a catastrophe is because the quote is from when Beowulf met a tragic defeat from the dragon and death.
Dramatic Irony- Dramatic Irony is when there is a tragic reverse of what the participants expected. A good example of this is when Beowulf first came to help the Danes and met Wulfgar. " My lord, the great king of the Danes, commands me to tell you that he knows of your noble birth and that having come to him from over the open sea you have come bravely and are welcome. Now go to him as you are, in your armor and helmets, but leave your battle-shields here, and your spears, let them lie waiting for the promises your words may make." (Beowulf 126-134). This shows that Wulfgar did not entirely trust Beowulf and expected him to hurt his people but later in the poem Beowulf ends up helping the Danes and kills Grendel and Grendel's mother for them.
Flat Character- A flat character is a character that does not change at all and is only there to develop the main characters' story. Grendel is a flat character as he is evil and is only there to eat and kill the people of Herot. Grendel does not posses any real emotions or have a turning point in the story when he thinks what he is doing Is wrong. The only real reason Grendel is in the story is for Beowulf to kill him and further Beowulf's story.
Round Character- A round character is a character with emotions and depth a real person has. A round character would be Beowulf because he changes throughout the story. Beowulf is an epic warrior and sees himself as that so much that he thinks he can defeat any monster. He starts out strong and defeats Grendel without any weapons but later has to use a sword to kill Grendel's mother. In his last battle he got greedy and wanted to kill the dragon for the treasure it guarded. However in that last battle he realized too late that he is not undefeatable and died. It shows that he changed throughout his battles as he got weaker and weaker. Also that he once saw himself as the strongest but in the end he realizes he is not.
Mood- The mood is the emotional effect that the story gives off by what the characters say, images, etc. " Then Wiglaf turned and angrily told them what men without courage must hear. Wexatan's brave son stared at the traitors, his heart sorrowful, and he said what he had to." (Beowulf 845-852). This quote is a good example because it paints the mood as sad.
Protagonist- A protagonist is the main character in the story that has a goal or mission to complete. The protagonist in the poem is Beowulf as it's his trials and tribulations that make the story. Beowulf is the one who has the goal of defeating the monsters and bringing peace to the people.
Reversal- The reversal is a big change of luck for the main character at a closing moment in the story. The quote " Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons but so massive that no ordinary man could lift it's carved and decorated length. He drew it from its scabbard, broke the chain on its hilt, and then, savage, now, angry and desperate, lifted it high over his head and struck with all the strength he had left, caught her in the neck and cut it through." (Beowulf 514-522) is a good example because it shows his reversal of luck. Beowulf was struggling to kill Grendel's mother and might have died if he did not see that sword at the last second and killed her. He went from having bad luck to good.
Tragic Irony- Tragic irony is when the most noble person dies because of their excellence. The quote " Quickly, the dragon came at him, encouraged as Beowulf fell back; its breath flared, and he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames-a king, before, but now a beaten warrior." ( Beowulf 687-690) is a good example of tragic irony because Beowulf killed the two other monsters before and it seems he will be able to kill the dragon but he actually dies. The readers think that since Beowulf lived on into his old age that he will live till the end of the book but that was not the case. Beowulf died from his excellence because he thought that he still had the same strength he had when he defeated Grendel and Grendel's mother. However he did not have the same strength that he was known for and it let him down and was what ultimately lead to his death. No human can run from old age or death.