Literary Language Essay

            Have you ever thought about what a book, novel, would or a story is like if the writing in it wasn’t what is there? As in, what if the language used in that favorite book was done by another author? For example, having Stephen King write the Harry Potter books, but the point to take away from that is how language can make a difference in the writing. For this case, it is Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, against several epic poems, such as Beowulf. For Hamlet himself, his words are all about the meaning and the power behind it all to try and reach the listener or the one he is addressing. If the pen is mightier than the sword, then the words are mightier than the pen. Beowulf, however, deals with great embellishment, metaphors and other literary elements in order to see what he sees.

            Young Hamlet’s style is mainly the power of the words. “It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it.” Not something from the play itself, but that is the general understanding when it comes to Hamlet when he speaks. “To be, or not to be--that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them.” The first example comes from Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy. Here, Hamlet is already pondering in his thoughts about his plans. This may be a small snippet of the soliloquy, but it’s clearly written out on how Hamlet speaks. His language sounds vast and deep, and it is assumed it will get any reader to journey off into their own mind to process and think about what Hamlet is saying. There is an emotional aura to it, an aura that isn’t seen or used by someone such as Beowulf.

            Beowulf is a man of action. Some may claim he is a could-hearted fiend, while others—especially those in the story—see him as a wise man. Wise men think their actions through and will consider many factors and aspects of what is going on around them. Beowulf, however, does not do such things. “Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death; his mighty, hand-forged, fine-webbed mail, would soon meet with the menace underwater.” The following events after that was Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel’s mother. There have been tales of how dangerous it is facing her, even now with a burning vendetta towards Beowulf for killing her son. This is not a wise man, but a fearless man. When he is victorious in slaying Grendel’s mother, his words that follow afterwards are of great exaggeration. Beowulf doesn’t think twice about his actions. He is like the Energizer Bunny. Never stops. Just keeps going, and going.

            Through analysis of these two works of literature, language does play a keen role in the story and the characters. One style is about how your words affect yourself and the others around you while the other piece is about how you are affected by the others. “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”