What does the poetic utilization of kenning in Beowulf do for the music or meaning of the story?
ENGL 201 | British Literature to 1800
Myra Seaman | Fall 2012
What does the poetic utilization of kenning in Beowulf do for the music or meaning of the story?
The use of this poetic device increases the poem’s complexity and ultimate popularity. Instead of merely using the word sword or blood to describe the soldiers, the kennings ‘light-of-battle’ and ‘battle-sweat’ are used respectively. As a reader, we are more apt to remember something that catches our attention and is unique. Figurative language, although it’s forms have changed over the course of literary history, has helped poets to write more effective pieces. For Beowulf, the use of figurative language through kennings allows the singer to more eloquently orate the poem to his audience by using phrases that paint a better image. They help to make this sometimes gruesome tale more attractive in order to reach a broader audience.
The utilization of kennings in Beowulf gives the expressions a more imaginative and expressive feeling. Saying “battle-sweat” instead of blood makes the descriptions of Beowulf fighting his opponents like Grendel’s mother extremely more dramatic and memorable than saying mere blood is streaming from a fatal wound. These metaphorical sayings cause readers to see more of the poetic sides of Beowulf, instead of the rough, harsh parts that consist of battles and death.
In a story like ‘Beowulf’, if the author had only used words such as ‘ocean’, ‘sword’, and ‘warrior’, the text would be heavily bogged down with constant repetition of those words, and it would be far less pleasing to the audience than the adaption of more imaginative phrases that make the poem so inspiring.
I agree with Sam in that the use of kennings really enrich the poem by giving it a more enjoyable, complex rhythm. There is a certain continuity, flow, a smoothness that binds the story together and that creates abstract imagery. Whale’s-riding, for instance, is used in place of the sea, shield-warriors in place of soldiers, and my favorite, soul-slayer in place of the devil. The latter is bold and chilling and haunting and the former two are glorified and somewhat heroic. Then there are a few funny ones (to me, at least) like swan’s-riding. They are a bit melodramatic but definitely add a deeper, more specific sense of imagery through the use of characterization and work as nice condensed metaphors. They’re like little pocket metaphors. That you can stick in your wallet. I think I just made that up. I don’t know.
Kennings throughout like “whale’s- riding” on page 65, “swan’s- riding” and “sea- wood” on page 67, and “shield-warrior” on page 81 add a new cadence to the poem. Since they are specifically designed to be concise metaphors, they are a better fit for the rhythm of Beowulf. With the Kennings, one idea can be expressed in two simple words rather than taking up more lines. I think it is also interesting to see what the people of this time associated with everyday things, like a ship being called “sea-wood.” It gives a little insight to what they valued around them.
The use of kennings definitely makes the poem more entertaining and gives it an air of majesty, if you will. I can imagine this being read aloud by a scop and the use of the kenning thrilling the audience with its wit. Kennings are also very imaginative and creative and reduce the redundancy of words such as chain mail, sea, sword, etc. It makes the poem more cerebral, gives life to otherwise repetitive phrases and provides imagery.