Question

When Beowulf first speaks with Hrothgar, he says, "I have come so far,/ O shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend,/ That this one favor you should not refuse me […]", what device is Beowulf using in this quote and why is he using it?

Answer 1

kenning

Step-by-step explanation:

Kenning is a literary device widely used in medieval literature in Nordic countries. This device is used to replace words of direct and denotative meaning for words of figurative meaning.

We can perceive kenning in Beowulf's speech when he says "The shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend" instead of using the word king, thus translating a more poetic and connotative language.