Beowulf & Poetic Device
Vocabulary Alliteration Caesura Kenning Simile Rhyme Meter Scansion Internal end Meter Scansion
Alliteration Repetition of consonant sounds (usually at the beginning of the word) in word that are close together Sixteen slithering snakes snuck up on Sally as she lay sleeping.
Caesura A pause (break) within a line of poetry that is marked with a double line [//] for the purposes of scansion Lo! we have listened // to many a lay
Kenning A type of metaphor where a person, place, thing is described with a two or three word combination that represents something connected with the noun Grendel might be described as the bringer of evil or the shadow-walker, etc.
Simile A comparison made between two unlike things using the connective words: “like,” “as,” “than,” or “resembles” Superman can fly like a bird; he is faster than a speeding bullet. . .
Rhyme Rhyme: repetition of the end sound (syllable) of words The planet is a wonderful place, But you can’t beat traveling in space.
Internal Rhyme where a word within the line of poetry will generally rhyme with the final word in a line Star light, star bright
End Rhyme words at the end of lines (usually in a pattern) rhyme Star light, star bright The first star I see tonight
Meter and Scansion Meter: a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in lines of poetry. [This is similar to the beats in music] One unstressed syllable (^) followed by a stressed syllable (‘) is one iamb or an iambic foot Scansion: the process of marking the stressed and unstressed syllables in lines of poetry ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ / ^ The falling out of faithful friends, renewing is of / love {this is iambic septameter or 7 iambic feet}
“Lo! we have listened// to many a lay ̆ ̆ , ̆ , ̆ , ̆ ̆ , , , , , , ̆ ̆ , ̆ ̆ , ̆ ̆ , “Lo! we have listened// to many a lay ̆ ̆ , ̆ , ̆ , ̆ ̆ , Of the Spear-Danes’ fame,// their splendor of old, , , , , Their mighty princes,// and martial deeds!