One of the most important and universally studied of the English classics poems of Old English Literature is called Beowulf, which is a heroic epic poem written between 700 AD and 1025 AD by an unknown Anglo-Saxon poet, combining mythical creatures to Christian and pagan elements. An epic poem can be defined as a long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds in both oral or written forms (YOSHIDA, 2019). Our hero is called Beowulf, a strong and brave hero from the tribes of Gautas. He travels to Hrothgar, Denmark, to kill Grendel, a horrendous creature that is attacking the kingdom killing some of Hrothgar’s people every night. After slaying it, Beowulf fights against vengeful Grendel’s mother, killing her with a sword.

Around fifty years later, Beowulf, who was named the king of his country, Geats, confronts and defeats a new enemy: an unnamed dragon, but due to the arduous battle, Beowulf dies as a result of the injuries he suffered during the battle. Wiglaf, a young man that helped him in his last battle, will become his succesor.

Considering this, let’s explore fragments of Beowulf and some poetic devices found in it, with a brief explanation. The fragments that are going to be used to exemplify the devices are part of a translation taken from the book Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney to keep the readers’ understanding. 

ALLITERATION

        When reading Beowulf it is possible to notice that there are no rhymes in it, instead, there is the use of alliteration, a poetic device that consists of the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of close words, giving a sense of flow. However, it is important to know that in translations it is difficult to keep the repetition of sounds and maintain the sense at the same time, which is why the alliteration will be much more common and violent in the Old English version, once it was a language with the recurrent use of consonants (ALGEO, 2009, p. 87-88)

 SIMILE

          According to Nguyen Thuy Nga and Nguyen Quoc Bao similes can be defined as a direct/explicit comparison using comparison words (like, as) or comparison form. (2008, p. 33). It is possible to identify a simile on the example below, comparing the ship to a bird. 

KENNINGS

            Kennings were common in Old English literature, it is a concise compound or figurative phrase replacing a common noun (BRITANNICA). In other words, it is a poetic word made of other words that describes the characteristics or state of that thing/person replacing it’s name. Truly poetic as we can see below:

HYPERBOLE

            Hyperboles are used as an exaggeration or an overstatement (NGUYEN; NGUYEN, 2008, p. 37), contributing to qualify and emphasize a characteristic.

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