Beowulf Kennings Flashcards

Beowulf Kennings

• Abysm of Time: Represents chaos, linked to Grendel's mother and the lineage of Cain.
• Battle-flame: Kenning for Hrunting, the formidable sword.
• Battle-talon: Refers to Grendel's claw, emphasizing its deadly nature.
• Body-warden: A kenning signifying a chain-mail shirt, highlighting warrior protection.
• Bone-house: A kenning for the physical body, indicating its fragility.
• Burnished: Describes an object polished to a glossy finish, enhancing its value.
• Chant-wood: Refers to the scop's harp, integral in storytelling and musical traditions.
• Crest-glider: A kenning for a ship, depicting its movement through waves.
• Dawn-scorcher, flame snake, the worm: Epithets for the dragon, showcasing its fiery nature.
• Doom: Denotes eternal judgment, reflecting themes of fate and consequence.
• Eddy: A water current countering the main flow, symbolizing disorder or conflict.
• Fen: Describes low, swampy terrain, often associated with the dark and monstrous.
• Feud-bites: Another term for wounds, indicative of the violence in the narrative.
• Flagon: A vessel for mead or alcoholic drinks, common in celebrations and feasts.
• Gannet's bath: The sea, referring to the natural habitat of the gannet bird.
• Garrote: An execution device, representing themes of violence and death.
• Gift from the sea: Refers to Grendel's head, showcasing Beowulf's victory.
• Gold-laced hall: Heorot, symbolizing wealth and communal gathering.
• Guest-house: Another term for Heorot, emphasizing hospitality.
• Hand-spike: A kenning for Grendel's claw nail, representing death and destruction.
• High battle flames: A grand funeral pyre, honoring the death of a warrior.
• His heirloom sword: Beowulf's Naegling, signifying family legacy and heritage.
• Kingdom of waters: Refers to the mere, a significant location in the story.
• Lineage: Represents ancestry and heritage, crucial for characters' identities.
• Mail: Flexible armor composed of overlapping rings, protective gear for warriors.
• Mead: An alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water, central in celebrations.
• Mere: A small lake or marsh, often symbolic of danger and the unknown.
• Middle-earth: A realm inhabited by humans and mythical creatures, bridging good and evil.
• The ninth hour, the "nones": Indicates the time of day, rich with Christological symbolism.
• Palisade: A defensive fence of pointed sticks, representative of warfare and protection.
• Ravenswood: A historical battle site in Sweden, highlighting regional conflicts.
• Ring-giver: Refers to a ruler or king, signaling wealth distribution and loyalty.
• Ruler's favor: God's preference, reflecting the intertwining of fate and divinity.
• Rune-counselor: An advisor skilled in problem-solving, indicating wisdom and guidance.
• Runes: Ancient glyphs used by Germanic peoples, often associated with magic and secrets.
• Scop: A bard or storyteller, vital for preserving cultural narratives through music.
• Sea-wind's cloak: The ship's mast, symbolizing navigation and adventure.
• The shearer of life-threads: Represents a magical sword, linked to fate and battles.
• Sorrow Hill: A battlefield site in Geatland, marking historical conflict and loss.
• Striplings: Young warriors, emphasizing the theme of youth and bravery in battle.
• Swathe: The act of wrapping in bandages, indicating care for the wounded.
• Swift roan: Highlights the importance of horses, although most battles were foot-based.
• Thanes: Loyal warriors serving a lord, underscoring the feudal system.
• Two seas: Likely references to the Baltic and Atlantic or North Sea, indicating geography.
• Unsouled: Relates to the belief about the soul departing after death.
• Venom-twigs: Refers to Hrunting's blade potentially equipped with poison for warfare.
• Waif: Describes a forsaken child, representing innocence and loss.
• Walking dead: Cursed entities reminiscent of zombies, indicating dread and fate.
• Warlock: A male witch or demon, linked to dark magic and treachery.
• The web's short measure: Indicates a brief lifespan, especially concerning tragic characters.
• Whale-road: A kenning for the sea, metaphorically rich in literature.
• Word-hoard: Vocabulary or linguistic abilities, crucial for storytelling.
• Woven snake-blade: Describes the intricate crafting of swords, highlighting craftsmanship.
• God's opponent: Identifies Grendel as an embodiment of evil and conflict with divinity.
• Gray-bearded elders: Refers to Hrothgar's wise advisors, emphasizing tradition and counsel.
• Heavens hall ruler: Identifies God as a supreme governing figure.
• Hondscio: Translates to “hand-shoe” or glove, possibly signifying protection.
• Killer guest: Refers to Grendel, encapsulating his role as an antagonist.
• King of glory: Represents God, highlighting divine majesty and power.
• Life-lord: Another reference to God, governing life and destiny.
• The lord of those rings: Refers to Beowulf, underscoring his noble status.
• Protector of nobles: Designates Beowulf as a guardian of the elite.
• Protector of sailors: Highlights Beowulf's role in safeguarding seafarers.
• Race of giants: Refers to the descendants of Cain, invoking themes of heritage and evil.
• Retainer: A servant or warrior in the king's court, emphasizing loyalty.
• Shepherd of sins: Another epithet for Grendel, linking him with evil and transgression.
• Shield of the people: Refers to Hrothgar as a defender of his kingdom.

Test your knowledge of kennings found in the epic poem Beowulf with these flashcards. Each card features a kenning, its definition, and examples to help reinforce your understanding of this unique figurative language. Perfect for literature students and Beowulf enthusiasts alike!