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Beowulf
Epic terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
epic | a long narrative poem that grandly celebrates a hero's deeds |
kenning | a compound noun or phrase to poetically rename a subject |
caesura | a pause in a line of poetry for emphasis |
the warrior code | expects loyalty, courage, and prowess in battle |
wyrd | the belief that fate controls all |
alliteration | using the same first letter to create a group of words for poetic sound effect |
guilds | merchant groups and craftsmen that banded together for support and economic benefit |
epic hero | larger-than-life hero of high status and fame who values his people and culture |
scop | the Anglo-Saxon "actor" -- memorized and performed histories of the people in poetry and song |
comitatus | part of the Germanic warrior culture, a warband tied to a leader by an oath of loyalty |