LiteraryTerms:Beowulf

Alliteration:Repetitionofconsonantsoundswithinalineof
poetry.Example:asBeowulffellback,itsbreathflared
Epic:Longnarrativepoemaboutthedeedsofalargerthanlife
herowhoembodiesorreflectsthevaluesofaparticularsociety.
Examples:TheOdyssey,Beowulf
Kenning:InAngloSaxonpoetry,atwowordorphrase
metaphor.Examples:whaleroad(thesea)andshepherdof
evil(Grendel)
Symbol:Somethingthatstandsforitselfandforsomething
beyonditself.Examples:Dove=peace,Lion=power
Imagery:Languagethatappealstothesenses.
Theme:Thecentralideaorinsightofaworkofliterature.
Example:OnethemeofBeowulfisgoodversusevil.
Tone:Theattitudeawritertakestowardthereader,asubjectora
character.Example:ThetoneinBeowulfisserious.
Allusion:areferencethatismadeindirectly,subtlysuggested,or
impliedthatreferstoanotherwork(ofliterature,art,etc.)
Example:GrendelisreferredtoasthesonofCain,aBiblical
allusion.