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.

SOURCES:

What is behind the name "Growing English"?

 This e-portfolio was created by Dheyse Medeiros, an undergraduate English student. First of all, the blog has evaluation and educational purposes, once it is going to be used for the discipline "History of English" of Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. 

Nothing of this blog is unplanned. For example, the title "Growing English" was chosen instead of "English analysis" or other simpler names once the languages are alive.  When something grows it grows from a seed (or embryo) that may never result in something identical, it tends to have its variations. Language works the same way: we have the roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and the fruits. However, when it comes to language, the trunk is the social culture, transporting and supporting, the dialects/languages are the branches with such a great variety, while the leaves, flowers and fruits represents the natural impulse to communicate, attracting us to understand each other and to create new ways of communication, but the roots are the history, collecting nutrients continuously, it never stops.

The position of the verb to grow has some explanation too: Who is making the English grow? We do it all the time.  It doesn't matter if we are native or second language speakers, we are always reproducing and recreating the way the language is being spoken/written. 

All of those pieces of information may be easily understood if you pay attention to the URL: thesiteisloadingthelanguageisgrowing. The site loads fast and so grows the language.