Kennings In Beowulf

Kennings are metaphorical compound words, and
they were used to great extent in Old English and Old Norse poetry. They function as a way to
make an ordinary noun more descriptive or awe inspiring. For example, "teacher" sounds
mundane. "Student-transformer" sounds way better. has plenty of
kennings. One of my favorites is "sleep of the sword" instead of "death."
"Breaker of rings" refers to a king and the action of breaking gold rings off of his
arm to give to someone else as a reward. Another one that I especially like is "mind's
worth" for "honor." Most readers know what honor is, but "mind's worth"
seems much more immediately descriptive and accessible in terms of conveying meaning.
"Whale road" and "sail road" are both used to describe the
sea.