Kennings in Beowulf

In Beowulf, as in other Anglo-Saxon poetry, a type of riddling metaphor called kenning is used. It is a conventional metaphoric name for something, used esp. in Old English and Old Norse poetry

Battle-Dress armor, shield

Dwelling Place residence

Earth Hall burial mound or barrow

Evil-doer dragon

Firm-Hearted bravery or bravely

Folk-right possession

Gold-Giver lord

Helm-bearers soldier wearing a helmet

Hoard-guard warriors

Life-Evil dragon

Come up with five kennings of your own.

In the examples below, find the lines containing kennings. Explain what each kenning describes and why it is an apt comparison.

They lay on the sea-bench slain with the sword.”

Most like the steel/Were the hardened nails, the heathen’s hand-spurs.”

But the bold one had found that the battle-flasher/would bite no longer”

As the candle of heaven shines clear from the sky….”

In pairs, look at the picture and write three kennings below. Do not show your picture to anyone. In front of the class say your kennings. Class will guess what you have described.