Character/Place
Kennings used to
describe
Other descriptions
Hrothgar
Ring-giver
Protector of the
Danes
Welthow
Gold-ringed queen
Beowulf
Edgetho’s son
Higlac’s follower
Cousin of Higlac
Ecglaf’s son
Unferth
Grendel
Shepherd of evil
Guardian of Crime
Grendel’s mother
Wiglaf
She-wolf
Monster’s mother
Wexstan’s son
Herot
Gold-shining hall
Hrunting
Ring-marked blade
Prince of the Geats
Water witch
Kennings are metaphorical compound words or phrases that indicate a person or thing by a
characteristic or quality. They can take the form of prepositional phrases (Shepherd of Evil) and
hyphenated compound words (ring-giver).
Contrast the young Beowulf vs. the old?
How does society treat him when his is young vs. old?
What do Grendel and his mother represent to society?
What does this suggest about the Anglo-Saxons?