Beowulf Literary Terms Literary Terms Alliteration The repetition of similar sounds usually consonants or consonant clusters in a group of words An example from Beowulf is found in the line And the ID: 273334
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Slide1
Ms. Hanley
Beowulf Literary TermsSlide2
Literary Terms
Alliteration:
The repetition of similar sounds, usually consonants or consonant clusters, in a group of words. An example from Beowulf is found in the line: “And the
heathen’s only hope, Hell”
Allusion:
A reference to a person, a place, an event, or a literary work that a writer expects the reader to recognize and respond to. An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion. Slide3
Elegiac
Tradition/Elegiac Mournful Tone:
One of the two most important types of Anglo-Saxon Poetry (The Heroic Tradition being the other). The elegiac tradition includes all poems mourn the passing of earlier, better times..
Epic:
A long narrative poem telling about the deeds of a great hero and reflecting the values of the society from which it originated
. May epics were drawn from oral tradition and were transmitted by song and recitation before they were written down. Slide4
Epithet:
identifying expression placed along side or in place of the names of people, places, or objects. Beowulf is often called “
Edgetho
’s son,” “Higlac
’
s follower,
”
etc.
Heroic Tradition:
One of the two most important types of Anglo-Saxon poetry (The elegiac tradition being the other). The heroic tradition includes all poems that focus on the bravery of a central hero. Slide5
Light-of-battle: Sword
Fighting gear: Body armor
Battle-sweat: Blood
Hilt: HandleMere: Lake/PondKenning: In Old English poetry, a kenning is an elaborate phrase that describes persons, things, or events in
a metaphorical
and indirect way. The Anglo-Saxon poem “The Seafarer” contains kennings, such as “whales’ home” for the sea.
Note:
kennings are ONLY found in Anglo-Saxon poetry, so “Beowulf” is the only poem in this course that will contain kennings