Use of Metaphors, Exaggeration, and Alliteration in Beowulf The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English by Christian monks around 750 AD, is a wonderful adventure story about a warrior who kills ferocious monsters. The use of description and imagery enlivens the story, making it possible for a reader to really see in his or her mind the characters and events. Metaphors, exaggeration, and alliteration are three devices that together allow the reader to experience this poem which is quite different than most other poetry. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily means one thing is applied to another thing to suggest a likeness between the two. Metaphors are used extensively throughout the poem to paint a more colorful picture in the listener's mind. These metaphors are used in phrases called "kennings". A kenning is a descriptive, poetical expression used instead of a simple name for a person or thing. Beowulf is hardly ever called by his actual name.
