Figurative language is any language that is not literal. We use figurative language all of the time in daily life. For example, if I say to you, "I am burning up," you probably know that I am overheated and do not think that I have burst into flames. So "I am burning up" is figurative, not literal.

A metaphor is a direct comparison between two things that are otherwise not comparable.

Example: My love is a rose.

A symbol is a metaphor that is come to have a specific meaning across a culture. For instance, if I say "My love is a rose," and I asked you what color it is, you would probably say "Red." This is because the red rose has come to symbolize love in our culture.

A kenning is a special kind of metaphor considered artful in Anglo-Saxon poetry. It is a picturesque metaphoric compound in Old English that stands for a simple noun. You might think of them almost as riddles, which Anglo-Saxon people loved.
 
 

Boat Bent-necked wood Ringed prow Foamy-necked Sea-wood Sea-farer Dragon  Twilight-spoiler Sword  Leavings of the file

Sea  Swan-road Whale-road  Battle  Storm of swords Queen  Peace-bringer among nations  Peace-weaver

Think about why these particular kennings work.

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