Question

Read the passage from Beowulf. "We are retainers from Hygelac’s band. Beowulf is my name. If your lord and master, the most renowned son of Halfdane, will hear me out and graciously allow me to greet him in person, I am ready and willing to report my errand." How did Seamus Heaney incorporate Old English poetry elements in this modern translation? His punctuation copies the half-lines used in Old English poetry. His capitalization style mimics Old English poetry capitalization. He uses character names that were popular in Old English poetry. He solely uses unstressed syllables like poets of Old English poetry.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: His punctuation copies the half-lines used in Old English poetry.

Answer 2

Seamus Heaney incorporated Old English poetry elements in this modern translation as follows: His punctuation copies the half-lines used in Old English poetry.

By mimicking the half-lines with punctuation, Heany mantains the rythm of the original while translating the language to contemporary English, making the story much more understandable but still keeping that "old poetry" feeling as one reads.