Beowulf vocab & key terms

Unhallowed

Unholy places or entities

Succor

Help in times of suffering

Assuage

To relive emotional pain

Harrying

attacking or raiding repeatedly

Enkindled

Aroused or stirred up (usually emotion or conflict)

Blithe

Joyful, cheerful, or lighthearted

Galled

Annoyed or irritated deeply

Blatant

Obvious or loud in a harsh, offensive way

Asunder

Into pieces; apart or violently separated

Turbid

Rushing and murky streams or outpourings (often of water or emotion)

Winsome

Charming or attractive in a sweet way

Balked

Prevented or blocked from doing something

Guerdon

A reward or recompense

Doffed

Took off (usually clothing or armor)

Kenning

figurative phrase in replace of a single noun; Sea-wood = ship
Breaker-of-Rings = king

Hild

Personification of battle

Wayland

Legendary blacksmith
Beowulf's sword crafted by Wayland

Niccors

Mythical sea creatures that Beowulf fought

Wyrd

Fate

Heorot

"Gold bright hall"
Represents celebration and joy

Ocean

Depicted as evil & dangerous
Beyond control of human culture and society
Often homes of supernatural creatures

Mere/Tarn

lake

Welter

turbulent formative of waves and currents

Welkin

the sky or heavens