The relationship between the narrator andthe story, and between the narrator and the audience, in Beowulf?
http://www.google.com/search?q=beowulf+narrator+audience&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA, especially http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-beowulf/style.html
In order to understand the relationship between the narrator and the story in Beowulf, it is important to analyze the narrative structure and literary devices employed in the poem. Beowulf is an Old English epic poem, and the narration is carried out by an anonymous third-person omniscient narrator.
The narrator's relationship with the story is characterized by objectivity and distance. The narrator presents the events and characters in a straightforward manner without expressing personal opinions or biases. This approach creates a sense of detachment between the narrator and the story, functioning somewhat like a chronicler or historian who seeks to document events accurately.
Furthermore, the narrator depicts the story in a traditional, epic style, employing grand language and heroic descriptions. This style elevates the tale to a mythological level, enhancing its epic qualities. The narrator's storytelling technique emphasizes the heroic deeds, valor, and larger-than-life nature of the characters, including Beowulf.
Regarding the relationship between the narrator and the audience, it is important to note that Beowulf was originally an oral poem, recited and listened to by audiences. The narrator's role, in this case, is to captivate and engage the listeners, exploiting the rhythmic patterns and alliterative qualities of the language to create a vivid and immersive experience.
The narrator establishes a connection with the audience by resonating with their cultural and historical context. The poem relies heavily on motifs and themes that were meaningful and relatable to the Anglo-Saxon audience, such as heroism, loyalty, fate, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Throughout Beowulf, the narrator indirectly communicates with the audience by immersing them in the heroic realm of the story and invoking a sense of admiration for the characters. By doing so, the narrator seeks to captivate the audience's attention and evoke emotional responses.
In summary, the relationship between the narrator and the story in Beowulf is characterized by objectivity, detachment, and an epic storytelling style. At the same time, the narrator actively engages with the audience, appealing to their cultural background and creating a captivating and emotionally resonant experience.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/beowulf/
Be sure to read the section called Context.