Beowulf Kennings Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What does 'Abysm of Time' refer to?

  • A reference to the chaos and chasm that spawned Grendel's mother (correct)
  • A kenning for the body
  • An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey
  • A defensive fortification

    • What is 'battle-flame'?

    The sword, Hrunting.

    What does 'battle-talon' refer to?

    Grendel's claw.

    What is a 'body-warden'?

    <p>A chain-mail shirt.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'bone-house' refer to?

    <p>The body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'burnished' mean?

    <p>Polished until glossy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'chant-wood'?

    <p>The scop's harp.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'crest-glider' mean?

    <p>A kenning for ship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'dawn-scorcher', 'flame snake', and 'the worm' referring to?

    <p>The dragon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'doom' mean?

    <p>Eternal judgment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an 'eddy'?

    <p>A current running contrary to the main current.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'fen' refer to?

    <p>Low, swampy land.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'feud-bites'?

    <p>A kenning for wounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'flagon'?

    <p>A vessel for holding mead or other alcoholic liquids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'gannet's bath' refer to?

    <p>The sea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'garrote'?

    <p>A metal collar used for execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'gift from the sea' refer to?

    <p>Grendel's head.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'gold-laced hall'?

    <p>Heorot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'guest-house' refer to?

    <p>Heorot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'hand-spike'?

    <p>A kenning referring to Grendel's claw nail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'high battle flames' indicate?

    <p>A funeral pyre suitable for a great warrior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'his heirloom sword'?

    <p>Naegling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'kingdom of waters' refer to?

    <p>The mere and the ogres' hideaway.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'lineage'?

    <p>Ancestry, background, heritage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'mail'?

    <p>Flexible armor made of small, overlapping rings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'mead'?

    <p>An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'mere' refer to?

    <p>A small lake or marsh.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'middle-earth' mean?

    <p>A land between Heaven and Hell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'the ninth hour, the 'nones'?

    <p>The ninth hour after sunrise, 3 p.m.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'palisade'?

    <p>A defensive fortification or fence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'Ravenswood'?

    <p>Site of a major battle between Geats and Swedes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'ring-giver' mean?

    <p>Ruler, king, or feudal lord.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'Ruler's favor'?

    <p>God's preference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'rune-counselor' mean?

    <p>An advisor adept at solving problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'runes'?

    <p>Letters of an ancient alphabet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'scop'?

    <p>A bard or singing performer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'sea-wind's cloak'?

    <p>The ship's mast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'the shearer of life-threads' mean?

    <p>The magical giant sword.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'Sorrow Hill'?

    <p>Site of a battle in Geatland.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'striplings'?

    <p>Adolescents, young warriors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'swathe' mean?

    <p>To wrap with bandages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'swift roan'?

    <p>A description of horses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'thanes'?

    <p>Warriors serving a king.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'two seas' refer to?

    <p>The Baltic and the Atlantic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'unsouled' mean?

    <p>A reference to the soul leaving the body after death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are 'venom-twigs'?

    <p>Sharp points possibly equipped with poison.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'waif'?

    <p>A forsaken or orphaned child.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'walking dead' refer to?

    <p>Similar to zombies, cursed to roam the earth after death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'warlock'?

    <p>A male witch or demon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'the web's short measure' signify?

    <p>The short life spun for Queen Hildeburh's brother and son.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'whale-road'?

    <p>A term for the ocean or sea.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'word-hoard' refer to?

    <p>A kenning for vocabulary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'woven snake-blade'?

    <p>A sword constructed using thin iron rods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is 'God's opponent'?

    <p>Grendel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the 'Gray-bearded elders'?

    <p>Hrothgar's senior advisors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Heavens hall ruler' mean?

    <p>God as Germanic king.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Hondscio' mean?

    <p>'Hand-shoe' or glove.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the 'killer guest'?

    <p>Grendel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is known as the 'King of glory'?

    <p>God.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is referred to as 'life-lord'?

    <p>God.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is 'the lord of those rings'?

    <p>Beowulf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the 'protector of nobles'?

    <p>Beowulf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the 'protector of sailors'?

    <p>Beowulf.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'race of giants' refer to?

    <p>Descendants of Cain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'retainer'?

    <p>An attendant to the king.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the 'Shepherd of sins'?

    <p>Grendel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'shield of the people' refer to?

    <p>Hrothgar.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    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.

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    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!

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