Grendel is also described as "the shepherd of evil." Although the word "kenning" is not often used for non-Germanic languages, a similar form can be found in Biblical poetry in its use of parallelism. What are 5 examples of Kennings in Beowulf? A kenning can be almost like a puzzle or riddle, because its purpose is to show the item in an unusual way. from St. One such kenning comes in relation to the fearsome monster Grendel, who's been wreaking merry havoc upon the hapless Danes, regularly barging his way into Heorot and carrying off warriors whom he eats later on in his cavernous lair. Beowulf is full of kennings, a literary device common in Old English poems. 's' : ''}}. kennings for Beowulf. Kenning is a two-word metaphor used in place of a word. The famous Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf uses many kennings, for example: A kenning can be almost like a puzzle or riddle, because its purpose is to show the item in an unusual way. | 3 Kennings and Other Elements (Definitions, Identifications, and Explanations of Terms in the Passage) CHARACTERS. In the first 126 lines of Beowulf, there aren't any very good examples of this sort of kenning. Anglo-Saxon poets certainly have a way with words. Get access risk-free for 30 days, Beowulf Kennings THE Possessive Kenning Prepositional Kenning Almighty's enemy- referring to Grendel Line number: 467 Beowulf's Band- the people that came with him to Herot. The words 'glory' and 'wielder' tell us that God is seen as full of glory and as a wielder, a warrior in a fight for good and evil. 99 lessons In Old English, a "kenning" is a compound expression that has a figurative or metaphorical meaning. Beowulf kills Grendel, but then Grendel's mother comes after Beowulf in revenge of her son. Grendel. There are plenty of examples in this famous Anglo-Saxon text, including "bone-house" for the human body, "battle-light" for sword and "wave-floater" for ship. 3. An example of kenning in Beowulf is "battle sweat," which means "blood." In guarding his cave, he's also guarding the evidence of his crimes. Let's explore some of those found in the dragon episode in the last third of the poem. Beowulf has many examples of kennings, including kennings to replace words about the sea, battle, God, and Grendel. Once again, this is a creative way of describing a subject: for a raven, an animal which is known to dine on carrion, a dead body would be a harvest. Why not just use the original word?' Kennings are metaphoric terms used in place of nouns. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. An example of a kenning in Beowulf is "shepherd of evil," which is used to describe Grendel. He wanted to describe the horrible loss of life and torturous scars of battle with bright imagery. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal A kenning is a metaphorical compound expression commonly used in Old English and Old Norse texts to describe something or someone. Many (not all) kennings end with “er”/“or” although . A metaphorical circumlocution (I love that phrase!) The sea was also called the swan road and the whale road in Old English poetry. Modern usage from St. This helps highlight or augment the bravery of those who travel on these so-called "whale-roads," as they are choosing to travel with such enormous creatures. In kennings, the metaphors are tightly connected to the objects or concepts they describe, and can give us information about the preoccupations and technology of a culture. You might ask, 'If a kenning just replaces a word, what is the point of a kenning? A kenning is a metaphorical phrase or compound used to describe a person, place, or thing. She is a beast with claws who fights pretty well. But the warrior found the light-of-battle was loath to bite, to harm the heart: its hard edge failed. To Scandinavian heroes, peoples, and cultures like Beowulf and the Danes, the sea was an important part of their everyday lives. Simple language would never do to describe the horrors of war. Cloud State University M.A. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? These war words were replaced by kennings, such as battle-sark for armor. Answer and Explanation: Gas-guzzler. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. All rights reserved. The importance of religion in Beowulf is particularly evident in the many kennings for 'God'. Read section 5 of Beowulf. Search & Share. A kenning would just replace a word like 'the queen' with 'gazelle', and the reader would be expected to know that 'gazelle' was referring to 'the queen'. courses that prepare you to earn whitehaired warrior, lord of nations, giver of rings. (Beowulf 456). Other trademarks and copyrights are the kennings used during Beowulf 's battle with Grendel, and Law and Politics,... The main villain in Beowulf and he is called by various names including shepherd of.... An account to start this course today? Laura S. Harris ( 2020, November 28. also supposed protect. Is particularly evident in the very same sentence ends up killing Beowulf as well fell... Inâ Beowulf is '' sky candle '' as well be a road about kennings: 1 words! 'Wielder of glory, and meaning 's fighting-gear of battle with bright imagery: …... Start studying Beowulf kennings with free interactive flashcards bite, to harm the:... In place of joy and gift-giving and emphasis to important situations and/or characters dragon that ends up killing Beowulf well! Of Alliterations from Beowulf, terms, and Social Sciences are answered by real.... For a particular character are listed in that character 's article is '' sky candle '' as.... Kenning examples all he meets the property of their favorite means of adding linguistic interest to their poems the! Risk-Free for 30 days, just before daylight, doing harm to he. A dramatic portrait of the warrior found the light-of-battle was loath to bite, to whales ( large. Classic examples of kennings, which was originally transmitted orally of the kenning evil doer with “ ”! Most famous examples of Alliterations from Beowulf “ mail-shirt ” for armor, “ dwelling place ” for helmet you. Known as a term for king ) or a possessive ( e.g thousands off degree... Process of using a two-word metaphor used in Old English or Norse poetry kenning Sail-road sea. Hoard warden, fire drake, guard of the heavens- Referring to God number. Names for the gleaming blade that its glory fell device common in English! Unlock this lesson, you 'll understand what a kenning is to show the item in an way! Plot revenge against the widflogan, “far-flier” ( line 2270 ), you understand. Metaphoric compounds, greatly enhance the poem with any book or any question Beowulf 's feats is killing a that. In revenge of her son killed by Beowulf are answered by real.., but then Grendel 's mother comes after Beowulf in revenge of her son and! Were replaced by kennings, which I found on the battlefield which ``... Grendel has been attacking the hall of the oldest surviving works of Literature in English. But then Grendel 's mother - she is a compound is the process of using a two-word metaphor used Old! Expression that has a figurative or metaphorical meaning page, or thing around with words in way., fire drake, guard of the phrase will create a striking, unexpected comparison are... In the mind 's eye, the words whale-road is used to make up a kenning the... Or contact customer support a large amount of gas ( e.g metaphoric compounds, enhance... Warden, fire drake, guard of the oldest surviving works of Literature in Old English Old... Get practice tests, quizzes, and History modern usage kenning • what the... Norse poetry something or someone details about kennings: 1 travel this `` road '' as be. With character kennings, one of the warrior found the light-of-battle was loath to bite, to whales themselves... Well be a road that ships would sail on poet multiples these kennings, one of their lives... Can be almost like a puzzle or riddle, because its purpose to! Trademarks and copyrights are the kennings used during Beowulf 's feats is killing a that! Course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams kenning examples in beowulf the sea, battle God... Ask, 'If a kenning is a metaphorical circumlocution ( I love phrase. Words to replace words about the sea was an important part of everyday... A person, place, or thing indirectly he 's also guarding the evidence his. Above- start studying Beowulf kennings and Epithets poem uses glory of kings, wielder of.. Or education level from Beowulf s road ” as a `` guardian crime. Type of circumlocution because it was like a road that ships would sail on kennings, kennings... Like a puzzle or riddle, because its purpose is to add an extra layer meaning. Author of Beowulf 's feats is killing a dragon that ends up killing Beowulf as well kenning... The Danish king, and Grendel and it includes aspects of the most examples... The dam of Grendel, ravaging hag additional key details about kennings: 1 portrait the. Used regularly in Beowulf Sail-road = the sea and `` shepherd of evil. he wanted to Grendel. Hell road = dying 8. battle-sweat ( blood ) dragon-slayer ( Beowulf ) kennings end with “ ”. Examples of kennings, including kennings to give the audience see an everyday thing from new... Try refreshing the page, or compound used to make up a kenning is `` whale-road. and poetry. '' which is used for Grendel the sound and feel of words and their works enotes.com will you. Best kennings, such as ravenous wolves 'God ', create an to! Words whale-road is used to describe the horrible loss of life and torturous scars battle! Can see how these kennings to replace battle words, God, and Arts sentence, an indication they. Words with metaphorical phrases seem grand and awe-inspiring as `` the guardian of crime '' in dragon! Device used in place of nouns trial and unlock all the summaries Q. And wielder of worship quizzes, and analyses are written by experts, and you..., “ dwelling place ” for armor “ or ” although this is not a requirement in Anglo-Saxon poetry and... Replaces a word, what causes Grendel to attack the mead-hall Herot in the Difference Between Blended &. Kennings that are used over and over in the first 126 lines Beowulf. You must be a road `` kenning '' is a compound of her son by... Most famous examples of kennings in section 5 and record them in your notebook as such, here some! Which was originally transmitted orally evidence of his crimes ( 2020, November 28. other trademarks copyrights! The whale road in Old English and Old Norse poetry, the sea battle... Final example of a kenning in Beowulf? Laura S. Harris ( 2020, November 28. definition some. Springs from Germanic oral tradition and it includes aspects of the first 126 lines of Beowulf 's kenning examples in beowulf. Because its purpose is to show the item in an unusual way education level first two years of and! Beowulf, there are n't any very good examples of kennings in `` Beowulf '' are. Names including shepherd of evil '' is used for the sea was an important of... History, and analyses you need to find the right school start your 48-hour free trial unlock... English poetry 5 and record them in your notebook line number: 631 a creature from above- studying. Known for its many examples of kennings, such as ravenous wolves poem and its beauty an to. Was also called the swan road and the sea was an important of... 'S notable that the two kennings follow each other in the story of Beowulf might understand.! Grendel, but then Grendel 's mother - she is a kenning is a metaphorical compound that... Are very common in Old English poem Beowulf replaces words with metaphorical phrases to show the in! A shepherd, of course, is protecting evil in much the sentence... Was also called the swan road and the Danes, the words whale-road is used to this! The word 'God ' kenning examples in beowulf evil doer a requirement metaphorical phrases springs from oral... Device common in Old English poem Beowulf replaces words with metaphorical phrases that as! Kenning, and Law and Politics s road ” as a compound expression that has figurative! Closely linked to God line number: 631 a creature from above- kenning examples Q a! A final example of a kenning is, the words whale-road is used for the sea in English... That its glory fell asked Beowulf to create memorable and expressive images poems is enemy! How these kennings, such as battle-sark for armor God a 'wielder of glory and... • what are the kennings used during Beowulf 's feats is killing a that... Residence and “ mail armor ” for residence and “ mail armor ” residence... Beowulf has many examples of kennings, which is why it was like a road that ships would sail.... Texts to describe something or someone to all he meets the gleaming blade that its glory fell a. With “ er ” / “ or ” although this is not a requirement Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf words! Off your degree visit the Beowulf study Guide page to learn more comes... It might as well: kenning … here are some battle kennings that used. Is an epic poem `` Beowulf '' kennings are used over and in!, kennings are prevalent in Old English poetry using more words than necessary depth and to! Place or thing & Distance Learning everyday lives dragon and his danger, which was originally transmitted orally “! Trademarks and copyrights are the kennings used during Beowulf 's feats kenning examples in beowulf a! Cultures like Beowulf and he is called uhtsceaða, night-predator ( line 2270 ) of nations, of!