Kennings in Beowulf
A kenning is a metaphorical phrase, or compound word used to name a person, place or thing indirectly. Used primarily in Anglo-Saxon poetry, the epic poem "Beowulf" is full of kennings. For example, the words whale-road is used for the sea and "shepherd of evil" is used for Grendel. Other well known kennings include "battle sweat" for blood; "raven harvest" for corpse; and "sleep of the sword" for death.
Find kennings from the first five sections of Beowulf. Provide the line number and identify what it refers to or what it is naming.
The Monster Grendel
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?The Arrival of the Hero
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?Unferth’s Challenge
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?The Battle with Grendel
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?The Monster’s Mother
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?As your group reads The Final Battle, summarize your section, identify kennings in your section, and answer the questions that relate to your section. Be prepared to read, summarize, answer the questions, and share the kennings when you present.
Group 1: Lines 666-710
· What is different about how Beowulf will fight this battle as compared to how he fought Grendel? What heroic characteristics does he show going into the battle? What hints do we see that Beowulf may not be successful against the dragon?
Group 2: Lines 710-751
· What fails Beowulf in his fight against the dragon? What heroic characteristics does he show during the fight? Why do his men leave?
Group 3: Lines 752-790
· What noble traits does Wiglaf symbolize? Why does Wiglaf scold the other men? What is his point?
Group 4 – Lines 791-828
· Why is the treasure so important to Bewoulf? Why is Wiglaf quick to return with the treasure? Why does Bewoulf plan the tower so carefully? What is the “far-flung family” Beowulf is talking about (line 821)?
Your Group’s Summary: ______
______
Kennings in The Final Battle:
Line# / Kenning / What does it name or refer to?