3 - The three kinds of half-lines: extra-metrical alliteration and type A³

Summary

The basic unit of composition in Beowulf is the formula or formulaic system which is normally one-half line in length. Formulae and formulaic systems are easier to talk about than to define satisfactorily. All language is formulaic in the sense that it is made up of words inserted into repeatable patterns of syntax, and everyday speech is heavily larded with exactly repeated commonplace phrases. A poetic formula adds the dimension of poetic form – metre and alliteration in Old English poetry – to the repeated phrase. I would define an Old English poetic formula as a half-line which is repeated verbatim from first stressed syllable to line's end, with only such minor variations in unstressed words or prefixes or in spelling or inflection as do not affect its essential meaning or metrical contour or placement in the whole line or verse clause. A formulaic system may be broadly defined to include both a half-line of a given metrical contour and syntactical pattern which shares at least one word or element of a compound in common with another half-line of the same metrical contour and syntactical pattern, and a half-line which is repeated essentially verbatim but with such variations in unstressed words or prefixes or in spelling or inflection as result in a change in its meaning or metrical contour or placement in the whole line or verse clause.