Anglo Saxon Literary Devices Periphrastic epithet the expression

Anglo- Saxon Literary Devices Periphrastic epithet – the expression of an idea in a roundabout , more elegant way; usually a name. Variation - the repetition of an idea in differen words with the same grammatical form e. g. – e. g. - from “Caedmon’s Hymn” for God – “the Ruler o Heaven, ” “the Glorious Father, ” “Almighty King of Heave “The comrades of Beowulf Unsheathed their weapons to ward their leader, Eagerly brandished their ancient blades, The life of their peerless lord to defend. ”

Alliteration – the reoccurrence of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby stressed syllables Allusion – a reference within a work of literature to something outside it Caesura – pause within a line of poetry Foreshadowing – a prophesy, forewarning, or sign of things to come

Kenning – a metaphoric compound of two words, such as walepath for sea Litotes – an understatement stated in the negative but expressing an affirmative – for example, “not a bad singer”; “not bad at all”; “I will in no wise cast out. ”

Metaphor – comparison of likeness; uses the tenor (the actual) and the vehicle (the image) to find the point of similarity: “The city is a beehive of activity. ” Onomatopoeia – naming of something by vocal imitation of the sound associated with it – “buzz”; “pow”; “wham”; etc.

• Personification – To represent or perceive something as having human characteristics “The wind whispers in my ear. ” • Simile – comparison using like or as • Stock expression – expression of the day • Understatement – to state in terms less than reality