Transcript Alliterations and Kennings

She Walks in Beauty
by George Gordon, Lord Byron
She walks in Beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Structure of Beowulf
Use of alliteration
 Kenning- 2 word metaphorical name for
something
example sea-road for ocean
True Kenning- neither is a true name for
something
Half Kenning- one is a true name
Scops- storytellers and composers of stories

comitatus





Germanic code of loyalty.
Thanes, or warriors, swore loyalty to their king, for
whom they fought and whom they protected.
In return the king was expected to be generous with
gifts of treasure and land. The king also protected his
thanes.
Kings were highly praised for their generosity and
hospitality.
Warriors were expected to be brave, courageous, and
loyal. Their reputation for such qualities was very
important, as evidenced by Beowulf ’s description of
the swimming match with Brecca.
wergild




Germanic custom
the practice of paying a slain man’s family to
atone for the deed and to prevent them from
taking revenge against the manslayer.
Wergild is mentioned in Beowulf. Before the
events in the poem, Hrothgar paid a wergild to
Beowulf ’s father.
Beowulf feels compelled to help Hrothgar in
his time of need.