Examples Of Kenning In Beowulf

In the Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf, the poet explores the relationships between humans and monstrous beings. A key characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poems are kennings, a literary device that is a “descriptive phrase [used] in place of an ordinary name for something” (Abrams 132). An example of a kenning using the above definition is “hell-bride” (Heaney 69), the phrase describes Grendel’s mother in a descriptive manner. Kennings are often a two –word compound phrase, as demonstrated by the kenning, “hell-bride”. Kennings also “extend the meanings of an otherwise plain statement” (Adams 117). An analysis of the term “hell-bride” will be used to reflect if it extends the meaning of the monstrous character.
The analysis of the kenning will be based on its two separate parts. The word “hell” has a negative connotation, it refers to the place where Cain’s descendants were banished to, “Cain’s clan…condemned as outcasts.” (Heaney 44). Since

Marriage interestingly is an institution that society upholds, perhaps it refers to the human origins of Cain and therefore to the humanity of Grendel’s mother. A bride also has feminine qualities such as maternal instincts, which indicates the monster’s role as a mother. The poet does not mention the monster’s name, instead only refers to her as “Grendel’s mother” to emphasize her maternal role (Heaney 69). Grendel’s mother displays her motherly instincts when she reflects on the death of her son Grendel, “Grendel’s mother…brooded on her wrongs” done to her by society (Heaney 69). As a grieving mother, her emotions indicate a humanlike quality of having attachment to one’s family. The kenning focuses on her duty in this world – as a mother to Grendel. The kenning also acts as device to highlight the humanlike qualities indirectly, and acts as a way for readers to empathize with the monster’s