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| the difference between epithets and kennings |
Differentiating Between Epithets and Kennings
Okay, let's try to differentiate between Epithets and Kennings. It's tough when this stuff is so similar! I'll provide the standard literary definitions of the two terms, give some common examples, discuss the nuanced differences, and then do an exercise myself! |
| Ivan the Terrible |
What is an Epithet (in the literary sense)?
Epithet (plural epithets) - the "literary" epithet definitions are as follows:- 1. A term used to characterize a person or thing. The adjective "Terrible" in Ivan the Terrible.
- 2. A term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person. The Young Pretender for Charles Edward Stuart.
What is a Kenning?
Kenning (plural, kennings) is similar - a kenning is a kind of epithet, like a simile is a kind of metaphor; I'd say the difference is in directness.- Kenning- use of a roundabout phrase for a common thing, eg 'whale's land' for 'sea'. It was very common in Anglo-Saxon verse. It is a type of circumlocution, in the form of a compound that employs figurative language in place of a more concrete single-word noun.
A Break Down of the Nuanced Differences Between Kennings and Literary Epithets
- The kenning, in the example "whale's land" is a twist of meaning; it's less obvious, less direct.
- The epithet, in the example "The Young Pretender," is merely a substitute; it's a more obvious replacement.
Practice: Let's Make Some Kennings and Epithets
Let's pick a noun. Say..."tea." (I love tea!)
A kenning version of the word tea might be something like the "herb's liquid essence" or "plant-blood" as in "I sip the piping hot plant-blood to renew my energy."
Spooky! Dramatic!
An epithet of tea might be to call a brand like Barry's "THE Tea of Ireland," as a means of saying that PG Tips is *not* the tea of Ireland. (Barry's versus PG Tips is a big thing, apparently...though, I'm way into Wegman's brand black and green teas, to be honest. No dog in that fight.)
I'm not making as much of "picture-with-words" in the phrase "THE Tea of Ireland," like I am when I refer to tea as "plant-blood." However, if I say, "What kind of tea do I prefer? I only drink THE tea of Ireland," and I expect everyone to know that means Barry's, then that's an epithet.
Now I really want a cup of tea...
Your turn! Can you think up some good kennings and epithets? Good luck!
A kenning version of the word tea might be something like the "herb's liquid essence" or "plant-blood" as in "I sip the piping hot plant-blood to renew my energy."
Spooky! Dramatic!
An epithet of tea might be to call a brand like Barry's "THE Tea of Ireland," as a means of saying that PG Tips is *not* the tea of Ireland. (Barry's versus PG Tips is a big thing, apparently...though, I'm way into Wegman's brand black and green teas, to be honest. No dog in that fight.)
I'm not making as much of "picture-with-words" in the phrase "THE Tea of Ireland," like I am when I refer to tea as "plant-blood." However, if I say, "What kind of tea do I prefer? I only drink THE tea of Ireland," and I expect everyone to know that means Barry's, then that's an epithet.
Now I really want a cup of tea...
Your turn! Can you think up some good kennings and epithets? Good luck!