Name:_______________________ Date:________ Period:_____
Kennings vs. Stock Epithets – A Quick Review
kenning—a descriptive phrase or compound word that replaces a noun
ex. in place of Grendel’s name: “the Almighty’s enemy” or “sin-stained demon”
stock epithet – adjectives that point out special traits of people or things
ex. “hell-forged” and “strong-hearted”
Kenning: A noun phrase which describes a well-known, familiar noun
in a new and more descriptive way.
 These are typically (not always!) two word phrases which give
specific information about the qualities and characteristics of the
noun the phrase replaces.
 Kennings are very common in Old English and Old Norse poetry.
 A metaphorical circumlocution (I love that phrase!)
 Many (not all) kennings end with “er”/“or” although this is not a
requirement.
 A kenning can be almost like a puzzle or riddle, because its
purpose is to show the item in an unusual way.
Examples:
Kenning
Slaughter-dew
Tree breaker
Primary
Meaning
Blood
Wind
Whale/swan road
Sea
Candle of heaven
sun
Guardian of crime
Grendel
Allmighty's enemy
Battle's only
survivor
Grendel
Higlac's follower
shelterer of
warriors
Beowulf
Beowulf
Hrothgar
Allusion
Source
Norse
Norse
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
AngloSaxon
Other examples of kennings: gas guzzler = truck, word spinner = pen
Gottlieb
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Name:_______________________ Date:________ Period:_____
Epithet: Adjectives or adjective phrases that describe special traits of
particular persons or things.
 Emphasizes a characteristic quality or attribute.
 Typically compound adjectives.
 Often (not always) repeated multiple times throughout the work.
o When an epithet is used repeatedly (in one work or in many
works) it is called a stock epithet.
 The term is considered an element of poetic diction, or something
that distinguishes the language of poetry from ordinary language.
 Although epithets can be referred to as “nicknames” and they can
(possibility) take the place of the given name for a person or an
object, they must include a descriptive adjective.
Examples:
swift-footed
Achilles (Homer)
immortal bard
Shakespeare
the lion hearted
King Richard (left England for Crusades)
Examples:
Epithet
Primary Meaning
Allusion
Source
Rosy-fingered dawn
daybreak
Odyssey
Deep-browed Homer
Homer at work
Keats
Snot-green sea
sea
Earth-shaker
Poseidon
Joyce
Greek
mythology
Sin-stained demon
Grendel
Beowulf
Gold-covered boards
Floor boards
Beowulf
Gottlieb
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