Poetic Devices in Beowulf Alliteration Alliteration is the

Poetic Devices in Beowulf

Alliteration • Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds of words. • In Beowulf’s original form (Old English), alliteration is used in almost every line. • Because the poem had no fixed rhyme pattern, alliteration was an important memory technique. • For example: – The harrowing history haunted the heroes. • Excerpt from poem and translation: – ferdon folc-togan feorran ond nean (839) – chieftans came from far and near (839)

Identifying Alliteration Directions: Underline the sound of each word that uses alliteration. 1. ) Twelve tiny teenagers tried the tango. 2. ) The Philly Phanatic finally followed the fans. 3. )The chief cop ordered the caesar salad.

Kenning • Kennings are compound expressions used to represent common people, places, things, or events. (part of speech: NOUN) • The purpose they served in Beowulf was to add imagery to the poem and make it more visual. • For example: – dwelling place = home – battle sweat = blood – sky candle = _____ sun

Sample Kennings from the Poem Old English Translated Kenning Meaning hand-sporu hand spike Grendel’s talon word-hord word hoard vocabulary ban-cofan bone box a person’s body

Modern-Day Kennings Kenning eye candy web surfer rug rat couch potato cancer stick gas guzzler Meaning