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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 |