Beowulf

:This article describes Beowulf, the epic poem. For the character Beowulf, see Beowulf (hero). For other uses, see Beowulf (disambiguation).

Form

The poem is in alliterative measure, in which the alliterative unit is the line and the metrical unit is the half-line.

Related Topics:
Measure - Metrical unit

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Its poetic vocabulary included sets of metrical compounds that are varied according to alliterative needs. It also makes extensive use of elided metaphors.

Related Topics:
Elided - Metaphor

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The two halves of the poem are distinguished in many ways: youth then age; Denmark, then Geatland; the hall, then the barrow; public, then intimate; diverse, then focussed.

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Here is a small sample including the first naming in the poem of Beowulf himself.

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After each line is translation to modern English. A freely-available translation of the poem, now out of copyright, is that of Francis Gummere. It can be had at Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/981.

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