Kennings

A kenning is a figurative compound phrase utilise in reference to a name of a person, an object, or a place. Mostly circumlocutory, kennings physical exertion many words to advert a common noun in a condensed parable or simile which is heavily formulaic, giving kennings special characteristics in literature. Their use in literature has been limited to findings in Old Scandinavian and Old English poetry, such as “Beowulf,” among the old Germanic languages. Transcended from Old Germanic literature, kennings affect “Beowulf” by adding complex metaphor to the heroic, epic poem.
Kennings are often used in Anglo-Saxon poetry and are used throughout “Beowulf”—a fiction of a Geat warrior who comes to the aid of Hrothgar, king of the Danes, whose great hall, Heorot, is being terrorized by the monster, Grendel. Because kennings can fill a complexity to them, they sometimes have an underlying meaning which receives a vivid interpretation of an event, a person, or an object. Hrothgar is referred to as “the grey-haired treasure-giver” and “Halfdane’s son” to contrive light on his inheritance of wealth and his reputation as a respected king.



Also, Beowulf is referred to as “son of Ecgtheow” and “Hygelac’s thane” to give insight to the background of Beowulf in the poem. Without the use of kennings, the reader would receipt less about Beowulf’s heroic repute.
However, kennings can be used to describe a simple object, such as “sea-wood” for a ship, “ring-nets” for chain mail, and “war-gear” for armor. These types of kennings are called Eddic kennings, which are used for descriptive purposes and lack a deeper meaning. Kennings that have a story slow them are called Skaldic kennings. For example, Grendel is given the name “God-cursed Grendel” to portray the story of his genetic relationship to Cain, who was outlawed and condemned for the killing of Able,...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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