What are the kennings used during Beowulf's battle with Grendel?

Ais
basically a two-word description in place of a more common one-word noun or name. Kennings are
often seen in Anglo Saxon poetry, which was originally transmitted orally. In
, as in other poems of the time, the poet uses kennings to add variety to
the wording and to more vividly paint a picture of the action for the reader.

In the section of the poem where Beowulf fights Grendel, we see a couple of kennings to
describe Grendel. The poet calls Grendel a "terror-monger," which is a kenning that
conveys the fear evoked by Grendel. Grendel is also referred to as a "hell-serf,"
which shows that he is a servant and devotee of Satan. Both of these kennings enhance the
description of Grendel as evil.

A couple of other kennings are used
throughout the battle to describe places or things. Grendel's presence in the mead hall is
referred to as "a hall-session," which, unlike the kennings applied to Grendel, seems
to de-intensify the event. Grendel's sinews, muscles, or tendons are referred to twice as
"bone-lappings," a vivid description of Grendel's physique that adds to the gore and
violence of the battle scene.

Beowulf is described as "the earl-troop's
leader" in a kenning as well. This kenning indicates his position and contrasts with the
more loaded descriptions of Grendel discussed above.

These kennings give the
poem more stylistic variety than if the poet had used Grendel's name or simple nouns. The poetic
descriptions also enhance theand mood of the scene.