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Irony
Definition of Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor can be stated explicitly, as... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other. The comparison in a metaphor... read full definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying that one thing is the other... read full definition
Celebration (Lines 837–1250)
Explanation and Analysis—Nails Like Steel:
The narrator uses both a simile and a metaphor that compare the nails on Grendel’s hands to steel. After Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel, the monster escapes from Heorot, mortally wounded, leaving his arm behind in Beowfulf’s tight grasp. The narrator states that:
For rescue, however,
he left behind him his hand in pledge,
arm and shoulder; nor aught of help
could the cursed one thus procure at all [...]
More silent seemed the son of Ecglaf
in boastful speech of his battle-deeds,
since athelings all, through the earl's great prowess,
beheld that hand, on the high roof gazing,
foeman's fingers,—the forepart of each
of the sturdy nails to steel was likest,—
heathen's "hand-spear," hostile warrior's
claw uncanny. 'Twas clear, they said,
that him no blade of the brave could touch,
how keen soever, or cut away
that battle-hand bloody from baneful foe.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Stored with Sagas :
The narrator uses a series of metaphors to describe the activity of storytelling. After Beowulf’s defeat of Grendel, a scop, a word for poet used in Old English poetry, memorializes Beowulf’s accomplishments:
Unlock with LitCharts A+From time to time, a thane of the king,
who had made many vaunts, and was mindful of verses,
stored with sagas and songs of old,
bound word to word in well-knit rime,
welded his lay; this warrior soon
of Beowulf's quest right cleverly sang,
and artfully added an excellent tale,
in well-ranged words, of the warlike deeds
he had heard in saga of Sigemund.
Strange the story: he said it all,—
Explanation and Analysis—Vault of Heaven:
The narrator uses a common historical idiom, the “vault of heaven,” when praising the bravery of Beowulf and his band of warriors. After Beowulf mortally injures Grendel, the monster flees back to its lair. After surveying Grendel’s lair and confirming that he has died, the band of warriors returns to Heorot:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Home then rode the hoary clansmen
from that merry journey, and many a youth,
on horses white, the hardy warriors,
back from the mere. Then Beowulf's glory
eager they echoed, and all averred
that from sea to sea, or south or north,
there was no other in earth's domain,
under vault of heaven, more valiant found,
of warriors none more worthy to rule!
Related Themes:
Beowulf’s Funeral (Lines 3110–3182)
Explanation and Analysis—Shepherd of Gems:
The narrator uses a metaphor that compares the ferocious dragon to a “shepherd” when describing a scene in which several of Beowulf’s men, including Wiglaf, furnish his grave with the treasures they find in the dragons’ hoard:
Unlock with LitCharts A+No lots they cast for keeping the hoard
when once the warriors saw it in hall,
altogether without a guardian,
lying there lost. And little they mourned
when they had hastily haled it out,
dear-bought treasure! The dragon they cast,
the worm, o'er the wall for the wave to take,
and surges swallowed that shepherd of gems.
Then the woven gold on a wain was laden—
countless quite!—and the king was borne, hoary
hero, to Hrones-Ness.
Related Themes:
