Examples Of Connotative Diction In Beowulf

A god amongst men. Monster bowed their decapitated heads to Beowulf, the mightiest of Geats. This 6th century story took a powerful Geat by the name of Beowulf, who answered the melancholic call of the king of the Danes, Hrothgar, and ruler of a victimized Denmark. With the eighteen strongest Geats, Beowulf crossed the Baltic to do battle with Hrothgar’s fiercest horrors. The progenitor of storytellers describe Beowulf as a heroic and valiant warrior, a champion of Christ, with the dauntlessness of an immortal man using dichotomy and cacophonous, euphonious, and especially connotative diction. The contrast between Beowulf and the terrorizing fiends remained a key element in the depiction of the hero of Denmark. The monsters of Denmark were

Using connotative diction, Grendel was described as “A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, growling in pain, impatient.” And “The shephard of evil, guardian of crime.” His living arrangements and current status create an image of eternal suffering and malevolence, while the title given to him endowed him with an air of menace. Contrary to the dark description of Grendel, Beowulf was described in a euphonious light, elucidated by a great legacy. Such a light was proved by a snippet of dialogue from the watchman: “You, warrior, who bravely does battle with the creature haunting our people, who survives that horror unhurt, and goes home bearing our love.” The watchman displayed great admiration for Beowulf, who came from a faraway land to help an ally in need. Another description of Beowulf and the Geats regarding their apparel, “Glittering at the top of their golden helmets, wild boar heads gleamed, shining decorations, swinging as they marched. Erect like guards, like sentinels, as though ready to fight.” Armor of the Danes and Geats were known to be finely crafted and quite beautiful, as warfare was their way of life, but the helms donned by Beowulf’s fleet of men were especially illustrious. The golden helmets of the Geats symbolize halos, making the Geats a form of angels that came to bring down divine punishment. Beowulf was the right hand of God,

Although depicted as a form of Christ or a champion of the heavens, Beowulf was still just a mortal man with human flaws. Following the status quo, Beowulf was as vain and raucous as his warrior-kin, often boasting and glory-seeking. Beowulf true intentions of battling with the monsters that victimized Denmark proved to be a route to a more extravagant legacy. He wanted fame, glory, and pride. Succumbing to human sin, Beowulf is far from the perfect holy being. His combat prowess and warring behavior also contrasts with the euphonious and connotative diction that enshrouds Beowulf. Although Beowulf is an honorable warrior, even removing his armor to give Grendel the fairest chance of battle, he proved very sadistic during the gruesome brawl. Once grappling Grendel’s arm and locking it down, Beowulf proceeded to crush and dislocate Grendel’s whole arm, “Bound fast, Higlac’s brave follower tearing at his hands. The monster’s hatred rose higher but his power had gone. He twisted in pain. And the bleeding sinews deep in his should snapped, muscle and bone split.” Beowulf even had the monstrous audacity to hang the detached arm of Grendel upon the halls of Hrothgar. But it mattered not his actions, because history would be told by the victors and the victor of this legend is draped in praise. Beowulf was a hero to Hrothgar, but a demon of Denmark. He is a glory-seeking demon with the legacy of a god, and the charisma of a king. He is