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Kennings

Kennings. What is a Kenning?. A kenning is a compound figurative or phrase that aims to replace the noun.  It frequently consists of two words that describe the noun. It is a way of describing something indirectly, like a metaphor or simile. Where did Kennings come from?.

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Kennings

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  1. Kennings

  2. What is a Kenning? • A kenning is a compound figurative or phrase that aims to replace the noun.  • It frequently consists of two words that describe the noun. • It is a way of describing something indirectly, like a metaphor or simile.

  3. Where did Kennings come from? • Kennings originate from the Anglo- Saxon.  • But they were also used by other Scandinavian cultures (i.e. Vikings). • The word kenning is derived from the Old Norse phrase kenna eitt við, which means "to express a thing in terms of another"

  4. Early examples • One of the earliest forms of kenning in literature comes from the poem Beowulf where: • “whale road” describes the sea. • “skull splitter” describes an axe.  • “mead bearer” describes a woman.

  5. Kennings, when written or spoken as a list, can create short riddles: • Squidgy ball • Dotty skin • Vitamin casing • Sticky fingers • Sweet scent • Jigsaw pieces • What am I?

  6. Animals are good to describe in kenning form: • Quiet prowler • Night howler • Free mealer • Chicken stealer • Rusty splasher • Hunter dasher • What am I?

  7. Exercise • Think of a noun – glasses, octopus, tomato. Now gather together groups of kennings that describe the noun. • Now put those kennings in a list and try to use alliteration, rhyme and rhythm to make them sound poetic.

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