Question

Reread lines 268–313. The poet uses various techniques—alliteration, caesura, kennings—in the description of the battle between Grendel and Beowulf. How might these techniques have helped Anglo-Saxon poets chant or sing the poem and convey its meaning?

Answer 1

Answer:

They allow the narrative to have a melody created through rhyme and structuring.

Explanation:

Alliteration, caesura and kennings are figures of speech capable of developing a musical, rhythmic and harmonious effect in a text. The use of these figures was very influential in the epic poem Beowulf, especially in the most important points of the narrative, such as the moment of the fight between Beowulf and the monster Grendel. This influence is due to the fact of the musicality created by these figures of language, through the rhyme and the structure that they create. This meant that the poem could be easily sung, in addition to being recited, since they had an applicable rhythm for songs.