Tone is how the narrator expresses his/her attitude through a piece. Sometimes the tone remains the same throughout a work but in others the tone changes to convey a new or different attitude. Such is the case within Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, and Grendel, by John Gardner.
Overall, Beowulf has a formal tone as it uses the third person narrative. For example, “Beowulf is my name” (Beowulf 343). The Anglo-Saxons, and others within their time frame, did speak like this. They valued a man’s language much like they valued his heroic qualities, if any. In contrast, Grendel takes on an informal tone with its first person narrative. This tone enables the reader to understand the narrator better as they are actually able to see inside their mind. For example, “And so begins the twelfth year of my idiotic war. The pain of it! The stupidity” (Grendel 5). Grendel knows his war on Herot is wrong and yet he continues it still. …show more content…
For example, “The truth is clear: Almighty God rules over mankind and always has” (Beowulf 47). It was God’s will that Beowulf won the battle, though his strength did contribute greatly to it. Since this tale was one of many methods to convert others to Christianity, it’s no wonder it would use such a pious tone every time God is mentioned. It also takes on a rather praising tone whenever someone does something heroic. For example, “a guard against monsters, special protection to the Danish prince” (Beowulf 667-668). The narrator makes a point to praise heroes, more specifically Beowulf. This is done in order for the listener/ reader to easily spot the good guys in a tale. Then the tale takes on a mournful tone whenever the hero is defeated or the people are suffering. For example, “the blaze roared and drowned out their weeping, wind died down and flames wrought havoc in the hot bone- house”(Beowulf
Overall, Beowulf has a formal tone as it uses the third person narrative. For example, “Beowulf is my name” (Beowulf 343). The Anglo-Saxons, and others within their time frame, did speak like this. They valued a man’s language much like they valued his heroic qualities, if any. In contrast, Grendel takes on an informal tone with its first person narrative. This tone enables the reader to understand the narrator better as they are actually able to see inside their mind. For example, “And so begins the twelfth year of my idiotic war. The pain of it! The stupidity” (Grendel 5). Grendel knows his war on Herot is wrong and yet he continues it still. …show more content…
For example, “The truth is clear: Almighty God rules over mankind and always has” (Beowulf 47). It was God’s will that Beowulf won the battle, though his strength did contribute greatly to it. Since this tale was one of many methods to convert others to Christianity, it’s no wonder it would use such a pious tone every time God is mentioned. It also takes on a rather praising tone whenever someone does something heroic. For example, “a guard against monsters, special protection to the Danish prince” (Beowulf 667-668). The narrator makes a point to praise heroes, more specifically Beowulf. This is done in order for the listener/ reader to easily spot the good guys in a tale. Then the tale takes on a mournful tone whenever the hero is defeated or the people are suffering. For example, “the blaze roared and drowned out their weeping, wind died down and flames wrought havoc in the hot bone- house”(Beowulf