Question

2. Short-response prompt (15 points)

Read the following excerpt from Beowulf.

Far off in his homeland Hygelac's thane,
good man of the Geats, heard about Grendel;
he was the strongest of all living men
at that time in this world,
noble and huge. He ordered made ready
a good wave-rider, announced he would seek
the warrior-king, famous ruler,
across the swan's riding, since he needed men.
Against that journey all sensible men
said not a word, though he was dear to them,
but encouraged such heart, observed the omens.
The mighty man had carefully chosen
from tribes of the Geats champions, battlers,
the best he could find, the acknowledged brave.
A group of fifteen he led to his ship;
the sea-skilled man marched down to the shore.

Select two words from this excerpt that have strong connotations. Explain the connotative meanings of each of these words. Then analyze how the words contribute to the reader’s understanding of Beowulf and his army. Be sure to use specific details from the excerpt to support your ideas.

Answer 1

Two words from the excerpt of 'Beowulf' with strong connotations are 'noble' and 'mighty.' 'Noble' suggests moral virtue and honor, while 'mighty' underscores physical strength and leadership, contributing to our perception of Beowulf as a legendary hero.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Beowulf contains multiple words with strong connotations that help to shape our understanding of the poem's characters and themes. Two words from the excerpt that have significant connotative meanings are 'noble' and 'mighty'. The word 'noble,' referring to Beowulf, conveys a sense of honor, demonstrating that Beowulf is not just physically powerful but also possesses a distinguished character that adheres to the ethical code of his society. This suggests that Beowulf’s strength is not only in his physical abilities but also in his moral virtues. On the other hand, the word 'mighty' underscores Beowulf's exceptional physical power and leadership qualities, providing the reader with a sense of his capability to face the monstrous Grendel. These two words, through their positive and impressive connotations, serve to present Beowulf as a hero, worthy of leading his chosen warriors. They also contribute to the mythic atmosphere of the poem, highlighting the grandeur and elevated status of the main character and his companions.

Answer 2

The word "mighty" has a strong connotation about Beowulf. It is a connotative word because it relates to the context. Without the context, it wouldn't be clear what it actually means. In this case, it means that Beowulf is known to be brave and widely honored. The word "sensible" has a strong connotation about Beowulf's chosen warriors. It means that they are afraid of the journey's outcome, but they nevertheless keep their opinions to themselves. They kept silent "though he was dear to them" - although they anticipate that something bad might happen.