sky-candle:the sun
swan-road:the sea
stout-hearted:brave
battle-sweat:blood
light-of-battle:sword
helmet-bearers:warriors
giver-of-gold:king
earth-hall:burial mound
dwelling place:home
storm of swords:battle
In the poem Beowulf, kenning is a literary device where two words are combined to create a metaphorical or symbolic meaning. For example, "whale-road" is used to describe the sea and "shield-bearer" to refer to a warrior. Kennings are a common feature of Old English and Norse poetry.
Beowulf is the "Giver of RIngs' and "THe King of Geats"
Grendels mom- The mighty water witch
dragon slayer
Whale Road
It is a kenning for Beowulf.
blackness of night
A kenning is a word in place of a noun. There are many examples in Beowulf.
It is a kenning for Beowulf.
"Wordsmith's melody."
A kenning
Grendel fled,wounded, death-sick, under marshy hills to his joyless den; with that huge woundhe knew for certain his life had ended,the sum of his days.
The kenning "sail road" in Beowulf most likely refers to the sea or ocean. It is a poetic way of describing the water as a road or path that ships travel on using sails.
Personification, as it is attributing human qualities (nobility and protection) to an abstract concept (sea).
"Earl's defense" in Beowulf refers to the warriors who protect their lord or ruler from harm during battle. It suggests loyalty, bravery, and a duty to defend their leader at all costs. The passage highlights the importance of these elite fighters and their strategic role in safeguarding their lord's honor and kingdom.
There are many kennings in the story of Beowulf, one of which can be found on line 273, the Shepherd of evil. Another kenning is writhing monster found on line 289.
Some literary terms in Beowulf include alliteration, kenning, and caesura. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds, kenning is a metaphorical compound word, and caesura is a pause in the middle of a line of poetry. These literary devices are commonly found in Old English poetry like Beowulf.