1. Poetic Devices in Beowulf

2. Alliteration- two initial consonant sounds repeated
A. Used in modern poetry, but more extensive in Anglo-Saxon literature
B. In Beowulf, alliteration exists in almost every line, with at least one alliterative word in each hemi-stiche.
C. Double alliteration: two initial consonant sounds that are repeated
Examples:
Wyrm wobogen wealden ne moste
Geaf me sine ond symbel, sibbe germunde

3. Kennings a metaphorical compound word used as a poetic device
Signifies a person or thing by a characteristic or quality
A noun renamed in a creative way, generally compounding two words
Examples
Bone-house = body
Whale-road = ocean
Gold friend of men = generous prince / king
Ring-giver = lord
Flashing-light = sword

4. Simile A figure of speech involving a direct comparison, using the words “like” or “as” between two basically unlike things that have something in common
Not usually found in Anglo Saxon poetry, but there are a few in Beowulf
Examples
Our love is like a forest fire (compares love with fire; commonality = burning, out of control)
Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives

5. Litotes a negative expression usually in the form of an understatement
It is a grimly humorous statement, an ironic remark
Fits with the tough and gloomy outlook of Anglo Saxon life
EXAMPLE-”Hildeburh had no cause to praise the Jutes.”
–The Jutes have just killed his brother

6. Diction author’s choice of words and phrases in a literary work
In Beowulf, the diction is elevated and generalized, like the diction of other epic poetry
Number of repetitions , number of circumlocutions—use of many words where a few would do)
Used to help the poet memorize lines and as a guide when telling the story
EXAMPLE = Boasts

7. Another Litote Example
When Grendel’s mother makes a revenge attack and murders a king’s man the poet observes “no good bargain that they had to pay with the life of a friend.”
“bargain” and “pay” are mild terms in comparison to the horror of what happened

8. Gnomic Sayings Short sayings with a moral or ethical basis; general observations about common concerns of life.
Sometimes a general truth is stated, a simple observation based on human experience
wise sayings or 'lore' . 'Gnomic' means wisdom and the verses reveal interesting things about the society and the world view of the people who made them. Although the verses do not rhyme, they have a distinct rhythm which makes them memorable. This was a common function of 'poetry' in ancient times: the rhythms helped people to remember important information.
Example: It was wise on his part to leave her room.
Examples: lines 24-5 as ‘Behavior that’s admired / is that path to power among people everywhere’

9. Lay a short narrative focusing on one incident
Digressions
Example: The Fight at Finnsburg
Heremond

10. Epithet Rarely mentioned only by name Use of an identifier Examples:
Hrothgar, ring-giver, a gold friend
Beowulf, Ecgtheow’s son

11. Poetic Analysis of lines 130-237
Identify 12 examples of alliteration
Cite the line, underline the alliterated words
Identify 7 examples of kennings
Cite the line, underline the kenning, identify what the kenning means
Write a detailed summary of what occurs in lines
How does understanding these poetic devices help us better understand the meaning of the poem?

12. Assignment: your group must write your own examples of the following devices:
5 examples of alliteration (I suggest writing a short poem to do so)
5 examples of kennings (using modern day people or things)
5 examples of similes (must then show the comparison and commonality)
1 example o varying diction (write a sentence or two with an elevated diction write the same sentence with a simple diction)
2 examples of litotes (show why it is a litote)
2 examples of gnomic sayings (explain them)