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Kennings In Beowulf

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Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that as one of the most interesting or important books in Anglo-Saxon literature. The poem is set in Sweden. It informs the reader about a hero who defeats numerous monsters, although the characters were somewhat based on real people. Some researchers did a search in Scandinavia, about artificial discovery from the poem that might have been true. The writer of Beowulf is a mystery, but all Anglo-Saxon authors are. Anglo-Saxons loved to use metaphors and kennings. For example, the kennings in Beowulf are “Mere” (lake,pond,etc.), “Battle-Sweat” (blood), or “Hilt” (handle). The kennings were used to make the story somewhat entertaining but it is meant to improvise short words into bigger meanings. Alliteration was a main part in beowulf also. For example, “He was a foul fog”, “A pair of eyes glaring green”. Poems with rhetorical devices tend to make the readers more active and engaged. In Anglo-Saxon literature, in order to be a hero you had to be a warrior. Hero’s has to be substantial, intelligent, and kind-hearted. Being a Warrior means having to face any causes, and fight to the death for the people who honor you. The Anglo-Saxon heroes were able to be all of these and still be kind-hearted. In Beowulf, he is a perfect example of an …show more content…

The role of a hero can sometimes differ. Everyone can be a hero, but one person can do something that isn't only for himself but for the prosperity of a larger group of people, or even for the entire world. The purpose of a hero is to help not just yourself but others. In the old Anglo-Saxon literature, the hero usually is the one who would risk his/her life to defeat the enemy in order to help protect loved ones or a kingdom. Heroes today are illustrated as people who go on a daily basis putting their life on the line.For example, people who served in the

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