Beowulf: Key Terminology

Front

Legend

Back

A very old story, often about famous people or events from the past.

Front

Metaphor

Back

A way of describing something by saying it is something else.

Front

Tenor

Back

The main thing being talked about in a metaphor.

Front

Vehicle

Back

The part of the metaphor that makes the comparison.

Front

Ground

Back

The link that connects the two ideas in a metaphor.

Front

Epic

Back

A long, old poem about a brave hero and their adventures.

Front

Protagonist

Back

The main character in a story, play, movie, etc.

Front

Alliteration

Back

When words close together start with the same sound.

Front

Epithet

Back

A phrase that describes a person or thing's special quality.

E.g. "Beowulf, the strong-hearted"

Front

Kenning

Back

A name for something, describing its qualities in a two-word phrase.

E.g. "bone-house" = human body