Question

How does alliteration affect the epic poem Beowulf?

Answer 1

Given that Beowulf is an epic poem, it was orally communicated to the listeners, and alliteration is one of those stylistic elements that have a profound impact on the sound experience. It means repeating of the initial consonants in adjacent words, such as in "The glorious gift God had allowed him" (the sound g repeats, to dynamize and vivify the experience).