Epic Boast Directions
Using Beowulf’s famous epic boast lines 220-69 as a model, you must create your own epic
boast. Yes, I realize that some of you are actually modest by nature, but pretend that you are not.
An Anglo-Saxon Epic Boast is…
1. Alliterative by nature. Alliteration is an important element in Anglo-Saxon poetry. One or
more accented syllables in the first half of a line almost always alliterate with one or more
accented syllables in the second half. Thus alliteration binds together the two halves of a line.
2. The use of kennings, phrases that are an elaborate and indirect way of naming persons,
objects, or events, is another important characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry. It is a distinctive
element of Anglo-Saxon poetry. For instance the sea is called "the pathless deep," or “whaleroad,” and the body is the soul’s "prison house."
Requirements:
1. Must incorporate a minimum of three kennings.
2. Must use three examples of alliteration (at least three words in each succession).
3. You must begin your epic with the words “Hail _______________” (line 220).
4. You must incorporate “My people have said ________________” (line 228).
5. Aim for no spelling or grammatical errors.
6. Epic boast is a minimum of fifteen lines in length.
7. This assignment must be typed and include a graphic which depicts “who you are.”
Epic Boast Directions
Using Beowulf’s famous epic boast lines 220-69 as a model, you must create your own epic
boast. Yes, I realize that some of you are actually modest by nature, but pretend that you are not.
An Anglo-Saxon Epic Boast is…
1. Alliterative by nature. Alliteration is an important element in Anglo-Saxon poetry. One or
more accented syllables in the first half of a line almost always alliterate with one or more
accented syllables in the second half. Thus alliteration binds together the two halves of a line.
2. The use of kennings, phrases that are an elaborate and indirect way of naming persons,
objects, or events, is another important characteristic of Anglo-Saxon poetry. It is a distinctive
element of Anglo-Saxon poetry. For instance the sea is called "the pathless deep," or “whaleroad,” and the body is the soul’s "prison house."
Requirements:
1. Must incorporate a minimum of three kennings.
2. Must use three examples of alliteration (at least three words in each succession).
3. You must begin your epic with the words “Hail _______________” (line 220).
4. You must incorporate “My people have said ________________” (line 228).
5. Aim for no spelling or grammatical errors.
6. Epic boast is a minimum of fifteen lines in length.
7. This assignment must be typed and include a graphic which depicts “who you are.”