Name: ______________________
Mrs. Llanos
English 10 Honors _______
Date: __________________
Background Information
Beowulf
Literary Term Log
Directions: Define each of the literary terms. As you read Beowulf, list examples of each term.
If you quote a portion of the text, be sure to cite it correctly.
Literary Term & Definition
Examples from Beowulf
Alliteration:
Caesura:
Epithet:
Kenning:
Characteristics of an Epic
Beowulf
Characteristic
The hero, generally a male, is of
noble birth or high position, and
often of great historical or
legendary importance.
Examples from Beowulf
Character Traits:
Ideals of Society:
Courageous Deeds:
Values of the Era:
The hero’s character traits reflect
important ideals of his society.
The hero performs courageous
deeds that reflect the values of
the era.
The actions of the hero often
determine the fate of a nation or
a group of people.
The setting is vast in scope,
often involving more than one
nation.
The poet uses formal diction and
a serious tone.
Major characters often deliver
long, formal speeches.
The plot is complicated by
supernatural beings or events
and may involve a long and
dangerous journey through
foreign lands.
The poem reflects timeless
values (such as courage and
honor).
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Themes
Beowulf
Thematic Concept
Theme
Support & Explanation
Glory & Treasure
Evil & Monsters
Honor
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Kennings vs. Stock Epithets
Kenning: A noun phrase which describes
a well-known, familiar noun in a new and
more descriptive way.




These are typically (not always!)
two word phrases which give
specific information about the
qualities and characteristics of the
noun the phrase replaces.
Kennings are common in Old
English and Old Norse poetry.
Many (not all) kennings end with
“er”/“or” although this is not a
requirement.
A kenning can be almost like a
puzzle or riddle, because its
purpose is to show the item in an
unusual way.
Kenning
Slaughter-dew
Primary Meaning
Blood
Tree breaker
Wind
Whale/swan road
Candle of heaven
Guardian of crime
Sea
sun
Grendel
Allmighty's enemy
Grendel
Battle's only
survivor
Higlac's follower
shelterer of warriors
Epithet: Adjectives or adjective phrases
that describe special traits of particular
persons or things.





Emphasizes a characteristic quality
or attribute.
Typically compound adjectives.
Often (not always) repeated
multiple times throughout the work.
o When an epithet is used
repeatedly (in one work or in
many works) it is called a
stock epithet.
The term is considered an element
of poetic diction, or something that
distinguishes the language of poetry
from ordinary language.
Although epithets can be referred to
as “nicknames” and they can
(possibility) take the place of the
given name for a person or an
object, they must include a
descriptive adjective.
Epithet
Rosy-fingered dawn
Deep-browed
Homer
Snot-green sea
Earth-shaker
Sin-stained demon
Gold-covered
boards
Primary Meaning
daybreak
Homer at work
sea
Poseidon
Grendel
Floor boards
Beowulf
Beowulf
Hrothgar
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