What two main devices did Anglo-saxon poetry use?

Question

What two main devices did Anglo-saxon poetry use?

Answer 1

Metre and Alliteration.  Not rhyme.

Here is a short sample (note that I don't have an anglo-saxon font - where I use P pronounce it 'th')

Wel g*y watz Pis gome   gered in grene

& Pe here of his hed   of his hors swete;

Fayre fannand fax   vmbefoldes hi schulderes;

This is from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, written circa 1350 (which makes it Middle English rather than Anglo-SAxon, though it draws on old poetical methods).

Oh, a (free) translation -

Garbed all in green was the gallant rider.

His hair, like his horse in hue, hung light

Clustering in curls like a cloak about his shoulders.

Answer 2

Simile and Metaphor.

Old English poetry is of two types, the heroic Germanic pre-Christian and the Christian. It has survived for the most part in the four major manuscripts.