Literary Devices
What type of literary device does this sentence include?
"or death will hurry me from this earth!"
Personification
Death cannot hurry a person from the Earth.
How did Beowulf's sword and armor hold up?
The sword could not harm her and she ripped through his armor.
What is a kenning?
A kenning is a figure of speech or a two word phrase that is used in the place of a one word noun. They are metaphors for something simpler.
What literary device is this an example of?
"For hours he sank through the waves; at last he saw the mud of the bottom."
Imagery
The reader can get an image of what is happening.
What did Beowulf name his sword?
Hrunting
What is 1 kenning that Beowulf uses to describe Grendel's mother?
Mighty Water Witch
What literary device is this an example of? And what does it show?
“O knowing king,... O generous prince…”
Repetition
Shows that Beowulf values the King.
How was Beowulf able to kill Grendel's mother?
With a giant magic sword.
What is 1 kenning that Beowulf uses to describe Grendel's mother?
The Greedy She-wolf
What literary device is this an example of?
“... and Holy God, who sent him victory…”
Christian allusion
Beowulf is referencing a singular God.
Why did Beowulf name his sword?
The sword was a symbol of God. Back then, valuable items were given names.
Where did Grendel's mother take Beowulf after he arrived?
She took him to a battle-hall.
What two literary devices is this an example of?
“...burning in that hall, and as bright as Heaven’s Own candle, lit in the sky.”
Simile and allusion
There is a heaven simile and allusion, comparing the hall to the brightness of Heaven.
In the poem, what was another name that they called Beowulf's armor?
Mail shirt
How did Beowulf get the giant sword?
It was chained up, hanging on the wall. He ripped it out.