Welcome! January 13, 2015

Today’s Learning objective: I will be able to define, identify, and create the literary devices that are associated with Anglo-Saxon literature.

Anglo Saxon Notes:  There are three types of literary devices when reading an Anglo Saxon Poem.  Kennings  Stock Epithets  Alliterations

Kennings  A descriptive phrase or compound word that substitutes a noun.  Adds detail and variety  Examples:  The house of knowledge was once again packed with students.  Firey Battle Sweat dripped down the warrior’s body.  The war needles sliced right through the man.  Slang, nicknames or phrases that do not directly replace the original noun are NOT kennings!  The original noun is always referred to earlier in the work

Stock Epithets  Compound adjectives that are used to add detail to special traits of a person or thing.  The first adjective must describe an aspect of the second and then together they describe the noun.  Example: In the distance he saw the gold-shining hall  Not an Example: In the distance he saw the big, shining hall.  As in the example, stock epithets usually use hyphens to show that the adjectives are compounding.  These are not used very often today…

Alliterations  Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words  Ex. The monster slid silently across the swamp.  Non-Ex. The purple phoenix took off across the night sky like a plane.  Alliterations are commonly used in songs, tongue twisters, and all types of poetry Extreme Alliteration

Practice Literary Devices!

Create your own Alliterations