Literary Devices
Beowulf
The Battle
100

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. 

100

How did Beowulf's sword and armor hold up?

The sword could not harm her and she ripped through his armor. 

100

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. 

200

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. 

200

What did Beowulf name his sword?

Hrunting

200

What is 1 kenning that Beowulf uses to describe Grendel's mother?

Mighty Water Witch

300

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. 

300

How was Beowulf able to kill Grendel's mother?

With a giant magic sword.

300

What is 1 kenning that Beowulf uses to describe Grendel's mother? 

The Greedy She-wolf

400

What literary device is this an example of?

“... and Holy God, who sent him victory…”

Christian allusion

Beowulf is referencing a singular God. 

400

Why did Beowulf name his sword? 

The sword was a symbol of God. Back then, valuable items were given names. 

400

Where did Grendel's mother take Beowulf after he arrived? 

She took him to a battle-hall. 

500

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.

500

In the poem, what was another name that they called Beowulf's armor? 

Mail shirt

500

How did Beowulf get the giant sword? 

It was chained up, hanging on the wall. He ripped it out.