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What happens in this passage?
This is the first confrontation of Grendel and Beowulf, painting the inevitability of Grendel’s defeat and Beowulf’s victory as an epic hero
Ġeseah hē in reċede
Verb geseah places Grendel as a watchful predator, and that characterises him as deliberate and calculating
rinca manige?
Beowulf’s calculating nature is place din opposition to the many warriors who are sleeping in a position of vulnerability. Places Grendel higher in power hierarchy
samod aetgaedere?
Redundant tautology reinforces their vulnerable position - they are all in danger. Dramatic tension between their calm sleep and impending death
‘mōd āhlōg’?
He laughed inside. Suggestion of joy at the thought of violence reinforces his monstrous nature and puts him as the personification of evil
atol aglaeca?
732 - alliterative formulaic phrase also used in line 816 when Beowulf rips his arm off
lif wið lic?
hyperbolic metaphor evokes the violent tearing of life from the human form. Within the warrior code, “lif” (life) symbolises the sacred essence of life, while “lic” (body) underscores the fragility of the corporeal body. The monosyllabic structure of “lif wið lic” delivers a brutal and unrelenting pace, reinforcing Grendel’s ferocity
slaepenende + slat?
Pairing of sleeping and tearing suggests different power levels as sleeping is more vulnerable
bat banlocan?
Bit into his body. banlocan is a kenning. Suggests that Grendel is breaking into the body, which is a natural lock. There is treasure in it
blod edrum dranc?
Plosive suggest gory violence eg bones popping. Drinking blood is forbidden within Christianity.
The overwhelming cacophony of sound and vivid descriptions are powerful expressions of Grendel’s primal savagery
synsnaedum sweahl?
Singul gobbets. Hapax legomenon supports the criticism of Grendel for drinking blood, against Christianity
Sibilance mirrors the sound of slurpy drinking
fet and folma?
Motif of hands. His armgrip is able to overpower the bodies of others
‘Feond mid folme. He onfend hraþe?
Emphasis on hands and grasp foreshadows Grendel’s later downfall.
wid earm gesaet?
Beowulf leans on his or Grendel’s arm. The actions are clear but it is not always clear which of the two combatants is the actor. Confusion in the dark hall is mirrored in the language of the narrative
middangeardres // eorpan scaeta?
Variation of earth hyperbolically emphasises the rarity of Grendel finding someone with a stronger handgrip
mundgripe maran?
Handgrip. Hand motif. Hapax legomenon emphasises how this was specific to Grendel
Comparative elevates Beowulf as his power comes from within him not from weaponry
forht on ferhde?
He was afraid for his life. Subversion of Grendels’ previous power
no py aer fram meahte?
no py aer occurs six times in Beowulf but apparently nowhere else
fram is alliteratively emphasised, which is rare for a preposition. This emphasises the sudden reversal
