Old English Poetry

The structure of Old English poetry is interesting. As with ancient Greek poetry, Old English poetry was based on an oral tradition. The poet, called a scop, performed and recited the poetry accompanied by a musical instrument, probably a harp. The Greek rhapsoid (we derive rhapsody from the word) was accompanied by a lyre--a small stringed instrument.

Old English poetry uses alliteration. Each line is divided in half by a caesura and there are two stressed syllables in each half line. The first stressed syllable of the second half line alliterates with the stressed syllables of the first half line. An example can be found in the lines from Beowulf already quoted:

Da com of more   under misthleothum
Grendel gongan   Godes yrre baer

A figure of speech used in the poetry is the kenning, similar to a metaphor. (The word is derived from the Old Norse kenna, to make known. We use "ken" today in a similar way.) It reminds me of the formulaic devices used by the Greek rhapsoid to aid in memory:  the dawn has "rose-red fingers." Epithets were also used: Odysseus is often referred to as "the man of twists and turns." An example of a kenning is in another line from Beowulf previously quoted:

Com on wanre niht
Scithan sceadugenga.

Grendel is the gliding walker in darkness.

Beautiful imagery I think.