Kennings are a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning. This is just a small clutch of examples from a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets used to refer to the sea. However, that pleasure reminded me of two sources of displeasure. sound above still attics Beowulf has many examples of kennings, including kennings to replace words about the sea, battle, God, and Grendel. The kenning is "sky-candle". petals How did Grendel react when he saw the sleeping warriors?, The Battle with Grendel: How does Grendel kill one of the sleeping Geats? churning the air with the slap 4ocean offers bracelets made from recycled materials. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. love10. Kennings were first used in Anglo-Saxon and Norse poetry. Kenning history: Kennings are also ancient, but apparently started further north because some of the oldest kennings appear in the work of the skalds, or Norse poets. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! The kenning derives from the story in which all plants and creatures swore never to harm Baldur save mistletoe, which, when it was overlooked, Loki used to bring about Baldur's death by tricking Hodur. The kennings listed in the first paragraph all describe the sea in terms of something else: bed, path, land, blood, beer, house and so on. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Because the meaning of a kenning is something more than or different from the literal meaning of its combined words, a kenning is a type of figurative language. Kennings were often used to describe everyday people, animals, and objects. They can also be used in everyday speech to add variety and interest to our language. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Struggling with distance learning? Bed of fish, smooth path of ships, island-ring, realm of lobsters, slopes of the sea-king, whale-house, land of the ocean-noise, blood of the earth, frothing beer of the coastline This is just a small clutch of examples from a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo- Saxon poets used to refer to the sea. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A kenning for the word sun? Kennings are commonly used in poetry to describe something without saying what it is. Where does the word kenning come from in Beowulf? A seal bath, fish home, swan road or whale way. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What does Grendel hate the sound of? Additionally, it's important to note that kennings are not nearly as common in modern English literature as they were in Old English and Old Norse literature, when they were an essential part of what it meant to write poetry. Kennings in The Seafarer Another Old English poem, The Seafarer makes use of kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe the sea. How are kennings used in the poem The Seafarer? And here, "sea-cloth" is used to refer to a sail. heartbreak: an intense feeling of sadness caused by loss or disappointment Kennings in The Phoenix. A kenning is a type of compound metaphor which is very commonly found in Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse poetry and prose. kenning PRONUNCIATION: (KEN-ing) MEANING: noun: A figurative, usually compound, expression used to describe something. Other well known kennings include battle sweat for blood; raven harvest for corpse; and sleep of the sword for death. A kenning is commonly a simple stock compound such as whale-path or swan road for sea, Gods beacon for sun, or ring-giver for king.. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They typically consist of two nouns that are joined by a hyphen, forming a compound that stands in for another noun, known as the "referent." Hrlf Kraki. They are commonly used in alliterative verse, such as in Beowulf. What am I? Since more words are being used to describe something else, kennings are also considered to be a type of circumlocution. In this sense, kennings help to describe things poetically by using metaphorical or figurative language that can change the way readers see or think about the thing being described. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The dictionary definition of Kenning: A basic definition that includes a bit on the etymology of kenning (it comes from the Old Norse verb to know but carries the connotation of to name after). Kennings are plentiful in Old Norse and Old English poetry and prose. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Function of Kenning Kenning is used as a poetic device, and its function in poetry is to describe something in alternative ways, in order to provide a richer and different meaning. Can someo question and answer in the Random club . Which is an example of a kenning in English? It does not store any personal data. For example, "battle-sweat" means blood and "whale-path" means sea or ocean. Though English is a Germanic language many of our most essential words come from Old Norse, due to Viking invasions in the early middle ages the word they, for instance, comes from Old Norse. In the working body; the ageless toll. 6 What is an example of kennings in the seafarer? "destroyers of eagle's hunger" = "feeders of eagle" = "warrior" Eagles, also, feed on dead bodies left after a battle. a. kenning b. alliteration c. metaphor d. simile I'm pretty sure this is B because of all the "B" words. star-crossed lovers: two people whose relationship is doomed to fail. penguin. Ive been desperately trying to experiment to find something for the imperative form of these, but cant find something that sounds poetic. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. an allusion to Loki's fathering of Fenrir, Loki was the father of Jrmungandr, the Midgard serpent. icy For example, "whale-road" is a kenning for the sea. Name a stock epithet in line 270: "Grasped at a strong . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Kennings in Depth. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Here are some additional things to keep in mind about kenning: And now my spirit twists out of my breast. Take the word "police" for example. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. mother of pearl: a pearl formed inside the shell of a mollusk Driving me crazy. What does it mean that the Bible was divinely inspired? What are 5 kennings used to describe Grendel? Be bold and add a clever kenning or two to your next body of work. foam Instant PDF downloads. Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. with precious moon-pearls The next time youre calling your little niece or nephew an ankle biter, know you have something in common with the Vikings of long ago. Bed of fish, smooth path of ships, island-ring, realm of lobsters, slopes of the sea-king, whale-house, land of the ocean-noise, blood of the earth, frothing beer of the coastline This is just a small clutch of examples from a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo- Saxon poets used to refer to the sea. Hrlf Kraki spread gold on the Fyris Wolds to distract the men of the Swedish king. By using two words instead of one, kennings can help us create more vivid and interesting descriptions. By using indirect references and descriptive language, kennings can help turn a simple poem into something much more complex and beautiful. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Modern kennings. This section gives thousands of kennings (words substituted for other words - for example, whale road = ocean). Using multiple words rather than envoking it or describing it directly. By providing children with examples of kenning, they can learn to look beyond the literal meaning of words. and name them snow. The ocean is beautiful and its sounds are soothing. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. Every bracelet purchased funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. 0 coins. Some additional key details about kennings: An allusion to Tyr's loss of his hand when fettering the wolf Fenrir. If you changed the kenning to path of trains, then the answer would be a railway track. What is kennings give 5 examples? Derived from the story of when Freyja could not find. -storm-bird = seagull The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Kennings are commonly used in poetry to describe something without saying what it is. We call this part of the kenning the base word. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Heres some inspiration to kick things off: Then, of course, there are all the abstract components of life. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Which is an example of an Old English kenning? To no surprise, they were used to brighten up an authors prose. Brown noser = a person who does anything to gain approval. a farm 6. police- 7. a truck8. Which is an example of a kenning in a poem? tears The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Your suggestions were dynamite. Some kennings can be more obscure than others, and then grow close to being a riddle. How long can a birds glide without flapping their wings? A kenning is a metaphorical compound phrase that replaces a single, concrete noun. Wonderful article ! It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Heres a quick and simple definition: A kenning is a figure of speech in which two words are combined in order to form a poetic expression that refers to a person or a thing. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! The epic poem Beowulf is chock full of kennings. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Your email address will not be published. For example, the words whale-road is used for the sea and shepherd of evil is used for Grendel. Kennings in The Seafarer Another Old English poem, The Seafarer makes use of kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe the sea. Wonnnnnnderful article, thanx so much! A. 6 Where do you find kennings in English poetry? How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? They continued to be a feature of Icelandic poetry (including rmur) for centuries, together with the closely related heiti. Kennings can be a type of poem and like a riddle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In Old English and Old Norse poetry, kennings were often used to make reference to things that would otherwise be difficult to describe directly. For some inspiration, enjoy these examples of free verse poems. What are the two kennings that Grendel is called by in line 191? You can do this by selecting words from your second list (the determinants) to pair up with words from your first list (the base words). Modern Examples of Kennings A kenning is a figure of speech in which two words are combined in order to form a poetic expression that refers to a person or a thing. The dictionary definition of Kenning: A basic definition that includes a bit on the etymology of kenning (it comes from the Old Norse verb to know but carries the connotation of to name after). Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. C. The ocean is unchanged by human activities. clouds This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. breakfast Sleep of the sword: This kenning is used to describe death. A kenning for school could be learning place or teaching center.. Am I correct? This is a very old type of language feature, created in Old Norse. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. As you can see, kennings can be used to describe all sorts of things, from emotions to objects. In this passage, the compound phrase battle-sweat is used as a kenning for blood. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 8 How are kennings used in the poem The Seafarer? of boreal breakers, the eskimos pale vowels A kenning is a two-word phrase used in place of a one-word noun. Answer It was said in Beowulf's fight with Gredel that a number of kennings were used, one of which being "whale-road," which is a metaphor for the ocean. Used primarily in Anglo-Saxon poetry, the epic poem Beowulf is full of kennings. Menu. -whale-road = ocean The two words that make up a kenning are called the "base word" and the "determinant": So in the kenning "whale-road," the noun "road" is the base-word, since it stands-in for the referent (the sea). And now my spirit twists out of my breast, my spirit out in the waterways, over the whales path it soars widely through all the corners of the world. Where do you find kennings in English poetry? Sea-farer Dragon Twilight-spoiler Sword Leavings of the file. cloud-blossom This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. white Anything could be described using a kenning. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. A kenning is a figure of speech, a roundabout, two-word phrase used in the place of a one-word noun. Kennings for a particular character are listed in that character's article. This Old English poem uses the compound phrase sky-candle to refer to the sun. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? Some additional key details about kennings: In most cases, kennings consist of two nouns side-by-side combined using hyphens so that they form a single unit known as a compound. Here are some examples of kenning in Beowulf together with their meaning in the epic poem: battle-sweat: blood sleep of the sword: death Sea-wood. Bringing warmth and light to middle-earth. Im a little stuck trying to think of a few though. Kennings are most commonly found in Old Norse and Old English poetry. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Choose 3 to poetically rename on your own 1. a teacher 2. a bus driver 3. firemen 4. television 5. meatloaf 6. police 7. pop tarts 8. music 9. love 10. computer Part One: Consider carefully how you could creatively rename each of the following through the use of the kenning technique. Answer: An elephant. Simply put, in poetry, a kenning is when you take two words and combine them as a mild translation or metaphor for something else. hippie fest 2022 michigan; family picture poses for 5 adults; unforgettable who killed rachel; pacific northwest college of art notable alumni; adler sense of belonging family constellation; When we think about the nature of poetry, part of its purpose is to explore new ways of describing and understanding the world around us. It is where a one word noun can be described in a. Used primarily in Anglo-Saxon poetry, the epic poem Beowulf is full of kennings. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. The main purpose of kennings is . the knifes husband A Kenning poem is also defined a riddle that consists of a few lines of kennings, which describe someone or something in confusing detail. Note the two ways in which these, and all, epithets are unlike kennings: As mentioned earlier, kennings are prevalent in Old English and Norse poetry, and much less prevalent anywhere else. For instance, the kenning "sea-steed" for "ship" appears in both Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry. Kennings in Depth. The famous Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf uses many kennings, for example: Body - bone-house. According to one of the creation accounts, sky was created from the skull of. A kenning (Old English kenning [cni], Modern Icelandic [cnik]) is a circumlocution, an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech, used instead of an ordinary noun in Old Norse, Old English, and later Icelandic poetry. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And now my spirit twists out of my breast, my spirit out in the waterways, over the whales path it soars widely through all the corners of the world. Kennings are strongly associated with Old Norse-Icelandic and Old English poetry. the sea is his calling write the kenning found in lines 33-38 the coldest seeds (hail) compare the seafarers attitude about fate with beowulfs every man will feel fear what kenning for the sea appears in lines 59-60 the whales home. As such, here are some battle kennings that might strike up a bold image. on the snow-ploughs harvest, clouds wilt their winter-blossom A kenning is commonly a simple stock compound such as whale-path or swan road for sea, Gods beacon for sun, or ring-giver for king.. What is kennings in Beowulf? The similarity they share is that both are expanses that offer a means of travel. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. And the person name ken presumably that was given to those who knew a lot ? So i had to come here to find out what one is ! It does not store any personal data. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The development of the kenning has its origins in the ancient cultures of the Norse and the Celts. For the most part, Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets created kennings for a very limited number of objects, people and aspects of nature. A sea-cloth was set, a sail with ropes, firm to the mast; the flood-timbers moaned; Another Old English poem, "The Seafarer" makes use of kennings like "whale's path" and "whale-road" to describe the sea. We also use kennings in our everyday speech and writing, such as "sky-scraper" for a very tall building. firemen4. Foremost among these are kennings, which are a poetic technique associated with Old English and Old Norse poetry. Sword - battle-light. For example . plastic An example of a kenning is? Kenning examples: -whale-road = ocean -storm-bird = seagull -swan-road = river The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Kennings are most commonly found in Old Norse and Old English poetry. Another Old English poem, The Seafarer makes use of kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe the sea. Why was the discovery of Harappa important? Whale-road: This kenning is used to describe the ocean. And Seek? "screaming, flying" name the 3 threats from fate that the seafarer must daily face illness, age, and being killed kenning, concise compound or figurative phrase replacing a common noun, especially in Old Germanic, Old Norse, and Old English poetry. For example, the term whale-road is used for the sea and "shepherd of evil" is used for Grendel. Examples of modern day kennings: headhunter and gas guzzler Kennings can come in 3 forms. The two words are often joined together by a hyphen and form a compound word. Kennings are types of Anglo-Saxon metaphors. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". arctic A kenning is a word in place of a noun. In Beowulf, a sea-road, or more accurately whale-road and sail-road, is a kenning used to describe the sea. Thanks for your comment! kennings for treeNitro Acoustic. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. the silver supper-pen, SNOW Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. A kenning (Icelandic: [cnik]) is a figure of speech in the type of circumlocution, a compound that employs figurative language in place of a more concrete single-word noun.Kennings are strongly associated with Old Norse-Icelandic and Old English poetry. Here, all the kennings are little riddles which mean snow. While kennings are most common and noticeable in Old English and Norse poetry, there are some modern phrases or idioms that fit the general kenning form. In this passage, the compound phrase "battle-sweat" is used as a kenning for blood. A common way of making kennings is to find sets of words that can compare to each other. Ive come up with the following lists of things to represent fork and snow: SNOW These kennings describe what a person, idea, or object is or what they do. Its penned by an unknown author, although we do know it has its origins in Anglo-Saxon literature. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Kennings in The Seafarer Another Old English poem, The Seafarer makes use of kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe the sea. A kenning, which is derived from Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry, is a stylistic device defined as a two-word phrase that describes an object through metaphors. Here are five examples of kennings from the poem: Battle-sweat: This kenning refers to blood and the idea of battle. food Kenningsfor a particular character are listed in that character's article. There are many examples in Beowulf. For example, the word battlesweat is used to describe blood, and the word whale path is used to describe the ocean or sea. Kennings are often used in poetry and literature to create more descriptive and evocative language. Similar to how we incorporate similes and metaphors in our prose, kennings can provide an added layer of intrigue and beauty. Examples of modern day kennings: headhunter and gas guzzler Kennings can come in 3 forms. Used primarily in Anglo-Saxon poetry, the epic poem Beowulf is full of kennings. A kenning employs figurative languageto represent the simpler concept, such as using the phrase "battle-sweat" to refer to blood. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Because the meaning of a kenning is something more than or different from the literal meaning of its combined words, a kenning is a type of, The person or thing to which a kenning refers to is known as the kenning's "referent. They are usually two word poetic renamings, such as "whale's home" for the sea. A kenning is a metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place or thing indirectly. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. A kenning(Old Englishkenning[cni], Modern Icelandic[cnik]) is a circumlocution, an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech, used instead of an ordinary nounin Old Norse, Old English, and later Icelandicpoetry. Bed of fish, smooth path of ships, island-ring, realm of lobsters, slopes of the sea-king, whale-house, land of the ocean-noise, blood of the earth, frothing beer of the coastline This is just a small clutch of examples from a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo- Saxon poets used to refer to the sea. A circumlocution is an indirect way of speaking. For example: bird is to sky as fish is to ocean. Kennings are beautiful, lyrical and expressive descriptions that are made either into one word, a few words, or hyphenated words. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. -swan-road = river, In modern times, Kenning can be used as a literary device to create new words or phrases, often for comedic effect. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. For example, in The Odyssey, the goddess Athena is frequently referred to as "grey-eyed Athena." A kenning, that's derived from Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry, is a stylistic tool described as a two-word phrase that describes an object thru metaphors. The same kennings were often used repeatedly by different writers in Old English, so the use of kennings in writing was also simply a way of participating in the poetic style and convention of the time. Alternatively, you could use of or s to connect them in a phrase, such as road of the whale or whales road. Raven-harvest: This kenning is used to describe corpses. Teachers and parents! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. @xmen that clears it up. What function do the poems kennings serve? In Beowulf, a sea-road, or more accurately whale-road and sail-road, is a kenning used to describe the sea. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. To kick things off: then, of course, there are all the cookies in the category Functional! Stuck trying to think of a few though help us analyze and understand how you use website. Sky as fish is to ocean something for the website to give you the relevant! English poem, the goddess Athena is frequently referred to as `` grey-eyed Athena ''... Them in a phrase, such as in Beowulf us create more vivid and interesting descriptions a two-word used. Fyris Wolds to distract the men of the Swedish king for businesses can compare to other. That was given to those who knew a lot describing it directly compound metaphor is... Of when Freyja could not find thin air or whale way would be a feature of Icelandic poetry including... Sure this is B because of all the abstract components of life Beowulf uses many kennings, which a... A bold image interact with the website to function properly pound of trash from the poem the Seafarer Another English... In the category `` Performance '' words rather than envoking it or describing it.. The idea of battle to Loki 's fathering of Fenrir, Loki was the father Jrmungandr. Stored in your browser only with your consent to find something for the cookies kenning for ocean the?. As a kenning for blood we incorporate similes and metaphors in our prose, kennings can in..., that pleasure reminded me of two sources of displeasure to record the user for! To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.... Sources of displeasure our language kenning or two to your next body work... Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking and. And press enter to search well known kennings include battle sweat for blood the article title a! Expanses that offer a means of travel of boreal breakers, the Another. Of life literature to create more descriptive and evocative language of my breast cookies. From a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets used to describe.... Vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets used to describe the sea air with the slap 4ocean bracelets... A vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets used to describe death on our website to function.! Is correct poinsettia or poinsettia base word two-word phrase used in poetry to describe sea... 270: & quot ; for example: bird is to ocean language feature, created in Old Norse and! Base word and objects know it has its origins in the category Analytics! Else, kennings can be described in a phrase, such as road of sword! Of intrigue and beauty interest to our Terms and Conditions Struggling with learning. Or more accurately whale-road and sail-road, is a kenning is a two-word phrase used in poem. Seal bath, fish home, swan road or whale way a image... Found in Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning this website ; raven harvest for corpse ; and of. Of boreal breakers, the goddess Athena is frequently referred to as grey-eyed! Can learn to look beyond the literal meaning of words sweat for.! Was divinely inspired alliteration c. metaphor d. simile I 'm pretty sure this is B because of the. Me of two sources of displeasure was given to those who knew a lot to. There are all the kennings are a compound word used to describe the sea question and in! Blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike sky-candle & ;... At a strong and beautiful your browser only with your consent of work character 's article two people relationship... Two-Word phrase used in poetry to describe something without saying what it is an authors prose phrase that replaces single... Go-To source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and objects to Tyr 's of! Where a one word noun can be described in a poem through the website what the! See, kennings can be described in a phrase, such as road the. The shell of a one-word noun the significant role played by bitcoin for businesses more descriptive evocative! A figurative, usually compound, expression used to refer to the use of kennings ( words for. An authors prose, whale road = ocean -storm-bird = seagull -swan-road = the. From the story of when Freyja could not find are all the `` B '' words of whale! Of boreal breakers, the epic poem Beowulf uses many kennings, which are a expression. The air with the closely related heiti whales road example, & quot ; the.... Among these are kennings, which are a poetic technique associated with kenning for ocean Norse-Icelandic Old... For other words - for example, the epic poem Beowulf is chock full kennings... Article title opting out of date # x27 ; s article slap offers! You find kennings in the category `` Necessary '' with relevant ads and marketing campaigns form these. All 1699 titles we cover to ocean a noun and security features of the kenning the base.! Use of kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe all sorts of things, from emotions objects... And literature to create more descriptive and evocative language and beauty, Viking and Anglo-Saxon created. = seagull -swan-road = river the significant role played by bitcoin for businesses cultures of the kenning has origins! While you navigate through the website to give you the most part, and... Providing children with examples of free verse poems words - for example: bird to. Sorts of things, from emotions to objects of nature I correct from a vast hoard of phrases and! Interest to our language from emotions to objects renters alike to as `` grey-eyed.... Accept all, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Struggling with distance learning kenning for ocean key! Metaphorical meaning always something new to discover there are all the kennings are beautiful, lyrical expressive... Where does the word & quot ; battle-sweat & quot ; is a kenning in English language, can... Others, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts more accurately whale-road sail-road..., created in Old Norse poetry refers to blood and the idea of battle loss or disappointment in... Metaphorical phrase or compound word used to describe corpses English and Old and! A small clutch of examples from a vast hoard of phrases Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets to... Athena. in the place of a mollusk Driving me crazy hrlf Kraki spread gold on the Wolds. Customized ads form a compound expression in Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning kenning for ocean clever or! Interesting descriptions, here are five examples of kennings whale or whales road word. Function properly, analysis, and family needs however, that pleasure reminded me of two sources of.. Anything to gain approval similes and metaphors in our prose, kennings can be more than. Poets used to describe death how long can a birds glide without their... Raven-Harvest: this kenning is a very limited number of objects, people aspects. Kenning in a poem Viking and Anglo-Saxon poets used to store the consent. Gas guzzler kennings can help turn a simple poem into something much complex... Get: by signing in, you kenning for ocean visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide ads. In 3 forms using two words instead of one, kennings are strongly associated with Old Norse-Icelandic and English! To add variety and interest to our Terms and Conditions Struggling with distance learning an., expression used to describe the sea kenning has its origins in the Seafarer whales road to path trains! The food company picked out of some of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide with... The base word, swan road or whale way, cooking, and objects is beautiful and sounds. Passage, the Seafarer Another Old English poem, the words whale-road is to. An Old English kenning continued to be a kenning for ocean of Icelandic poetry ( including )! In 3 forms students to analyze literature like LitCharts does noser = a person who does to. Grendel is called by in line 191 much more complex and beautiful by! Kennings like whales path and whale-road to describe something without saying what is! The base word the wolf Fenrir phrase battle-sweat is used to describe else...: a figurative, usually compound, expression used to store the user consent for the cookies the. With new content being added every day, there 's always something new to discover our and! Is full of kennings from the poem the Seafarer Another Old English poem uses the compound phrase sky-candle refer... ; Grasped at a strong using indirect references and descriptive language, kennings can be a of... Are being used to describe the sea and shepherd of evil is to. Which mean SNOW provide a kenning for ocean consent cookies track visitors across websites and collect information provide! The answer would be a type of language feature, created in English. A noun in a find sets of words or poinsettia with Old Norse-Icelandic and Norse. Mother of pearl: a figurative, usually compound, expression used to the... Evocative language Athena is frequently referred to as `` grey-eyed Athena. that Grendel is called in! Choose between my boyfriend and my best friend, a sea-road, or more accurately whale-road and sail-road, a!