This Thing All Things Devours: An Analysis of the Symbolic Meaning of Birds, Beasts, Trees, and Flowers

A mysterious phrase found in many works of literature, including Beowulf and The Odyssey, “this thing all things devours” has long been a source of fascination for readers. This phrase is often used to describe a force of nature or a being that is powerful and all-consuming. In Beowulf, Grendel is referred to as a creature that “this thing all things devours.” In The Odyssey, the phrase is used to describe the giant Cyclops Polyphemus. In both cases, the creature is a powerful being that can consume anything in its path.

The phrase can also be interpreted as an allegory for the power of nature. The birds, beasts, trees, and flowers mentioned in the phrase can be seen as symbols of the natural world and its power to consume and transform the environment. Birds and beasts represent the power of the natural world to consume and transform animals and plants. Trees and flowers symbolize the transformation of landscapes and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Together, these symbols represent the power of nature to shape the world and its inhabitants.

The phrase “this thing all things devours” can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the power of change. Change is often seen as something that can be all-consuming and powerful. It can consume and transform the environment, the people, and the world. Change can lead to growth and transformation, but it can also lead to destruction and death. The phrase “this thing all things devours” can be seen as a reminder of the power of change and its potential to both create and destroy.

The phrase “this thing all things devours” is a powerful reminder of the power of nature and the power of change. It is a reminder that nature is powerful, ever-changing, and unpredictable. It is also a reminder that change can be both destructive and constructive, and that it is important to be mindful of its potential for both. In both Beowulf and The Odyssey, the phrase serves as a warning to the characters and readers of the power of nature and of change, and of the consequences that can come with them.



The phrase “this thing all things devours” is a powerful reminder of the power of nature and the power of change. Birds, beasts, trees, and flowers all represent the power of nature and its ability to consume and transform the environment. The phrase is also a reminder of the power of change and its potential for both creation and destruction. In both Beowulf and The Odyssey, the phrase is used as a warning to the characters and readers of the potential consequences of the power of nature and of change.