Heathenish
"That was their way,
their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts
they remembered hell" (178-179)
Definition: Adjective; 1. Of or relating to heathens, their religion or their customs
2. Strange, uncivilized
Context: Grendel inflicts cruelties on the Danes, haunting the streets. The people are helpless and pray to the heathen gods that Heorot would be protected and safe.
2. Strange, uncivilized
Context: Grendel inflicts cruelties on the Danes, haunting the streets. The people are helpless and pray to the heathen gods that Heorot would be protected and safe.
Hell-serf
"Everyone felt it
who heard that cry as it echoed off the wall,
a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe,
the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf
keening his wound" (783-787)
Definition: A kenning, a slave of the underworld, a demon, an evil spirit
Context: Nearing the end of Beowulf's fight with Grendel, Grendel wails in agony from the wounds that would end his life.
Context: Nearing the end of Beowulf's fight with Grendel, Grendel wails in agony from the wounds that would end his life.
Parleying
"The hoard-guard recognized
a human voice, the time was over
for peace and parleying" (2556-2557)
Definition: An informal conference between enemies under a truce, especially to discuss terms and conditions of surrender
Context: In Beowulf's battle with the dragon, he finds him and realizes that they are no longer in a state of peace.
Context: In Beowulf's battle with the dragon, he finds him and realizes that they are no longer in a state of peace.
Litany
"A Geat woman too sang in grief;
with hair bound up, she unburdened herself
of her worst fears, a wild litany
a nightmare and lament: her nation invaded,
enemies on rampage, bodies in piles,
slavery and basement" (3150-3155)
Definition: A prayer in a Christian church service in which the people at the service respond to lines spoken by the person who is leading the service
Context: In Beowulf's funeral, a Geat woman sings in grief for the loss of their king.
Context: In Beowulf's funeral, a Geat woman sings in grief for the loss of their king.
Baleful
"Then his rage boiled over, he ripped open
the mouth of the building, maddening for blood,
pacing the length of the patterned floor
with his loathsome thread, while a baleful light,
flame more than light, flared from his eyes" (723-727)
Definition: Adjective; 1. Threatening harm; menacing 2. Having a harmful or destructive effect
Context: When Grendel strikes, he walks around the grounds of Hrothgar's dwelling and he rips over the mouth go the building, searching for blood, with anger and an intent to harm flaring from his eyes.
Context: When Grendel strikes, he walks around the grounds of Hrothgar's dwelling and he rips over the mouth go the building, searching for blood, with anger and an intent to harm flaring from his eyes.