Beowulf: Compare/Contrast I feel that the transition of Beowulf from poetry to prose greatly effects the flow of the poem. The prose version of the poem has no alliteration. This greatly detracts from the original rhythm and the reader therefore has a more difficult time reading and memorizing the poem. In general, the poem sounds better with the alliteration present. "The prince when he fled from Sweden, sought safety. . ." is more effective than "the …showed first 75 words of 483 total…

…showed last 75 words of 483 total…the battle. The poetry version utilizes poetic techniques in order to provide the reader with more information, while always keeping the audience’s interest. The language of the prose passage is very condensed. The imagery is there but not as convincing as in the poetry version. The poem conveys the battle scene very effectively using many descriptive words, alliteration and other poetic techniques. The prose translation’s imagery isn;’t as colorful or as lengthy.