It is an epitomized history of the life of the teutonic races. I remembered the voice of the poem as being attractively direct. The figures refer to the divisions of the poem in which the respective names occur. Beowulf and achilles are both powerful royal males who are the subjects of important epic poems. In this beautiful book a designer, a poet, and a specialist in anglosaxon literature recreate beowulf for a modern audience. Beowulf an anglosaxon epic poem, translated from the heynesocin text by lesslie hall author. These virtues are echoed throughout the text of beowulf and form a central theme of the epic. Poem summary beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving anglosaxon poem. Beowulf cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test.
Quick overview ringler has produced a really good translation of the poem, free of seamus heaneys quirks and irishisms, keeping the rhythm and alliteration, and retaining a simplicity which demonstrates how otiose film. The student of english literature he aims to interest by giving him, in modern garb, the most ancient epic of our race. Occasionally a deviation has been made, but always for what seemed good and sufficient reason. Beowulf and millions of other books are available for instant access. They call him, mild in his mien, most gentle of men, kindest to kinfolk, and keenest for fame. This version translated by francis barton gummere 18551919. Beowulf is a piece of literature, not a historical document. This essay offers literary analysis of beowulf, the oldest epic poem that has survived in english literature. An anglosaxon epic poem is the oldest surviving english poem consisting over over three thousand verses. More than 3,000 lines long, beowulf relates the exploits of its eponymous hero, and his successive battles with a monster named grendel, with grendels revengeful mother, and with a dragon which was guarding a hoard of treasure. Oct 19, 2015 francis barton gummere translates this beautiful poem. It tells the story of the hero beowulf, and his battles against. Free beowulf audio book at this site, you can download an audio reading of the entire text of beowulf in a contemporary english translation for free.
Beowulf is the focal point of the anglosaxon epic poem that bears his name, whereas achilles is the. The language of this poem is old english, spoken by saxon people. Very little anglosaxon literature has survived, and beowulf comprises roughly 10% of all surviving anglosaxon literature the. The earliest manuscript copy of the poem is stored in the british library, and is dated around 1010. More than 3,000 lines long, beowulf relates the exploits of its eponymous hero, and his successive battles with a monster named grendel, with grendels revengeful mother and with a dragon which was guarding a hoard of treasure.
Beowulf is the conventional title of an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in scandinavia, the oldest surviving epic poem of old english and thus commonly cited as one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, and also arguably the earliest vernacular english literature. The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as denmark and southweste. Beowulf is the iconic work of literature in old english. Commonly referred to as an old english epic poem, it consists of more than 3,000 lines, all of which use alliteration.
As such, it uses a host of tra ditional motifs associated with heroic literature all over the world. The materials for the poem are derived mainly from scandinavian history, folk tale, and mythology. Created in the oralpoetic mode and probably composed as a whole sometime in the. Tolkien completed his translation of beowulf in 1926. Though its authorship is unknown, the poem was written between 925 and 1025, preserved as the nowell codex, badly damaged in a london fire which housed medieval works collected by sir robert bruce cotton, moved to the british library where it remains today. Beowulf published as a separate book two examples are given beowulf. Heres where youll find analysis about the book as a whole, from the major themes. Cliffsnotes on beowulf covers the longest and oldest surviving anglosaxon poem, an epic tale of warriors and battles, monsters and magic, treasures, feasts, and heroic action. Translation by michael alexander, first published on 1973 is very skillfully put together and admirable. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote. May 20, 2018 course heros video study guide provides an in depth summary and analysis for the epic poem beowulf. Ad by two scribes and preserved in the british library in the collection of sir robert cotton.
The first manuscript was written in the language of the saxons, old english, also known as anglosaxon. He had an heir, the great halfdane, whose wisdom and sturdiness guided and protected the people. Beowulf is a heroic epic poem written by an unknown author in old. This teaching guide is organized in three sections presenting suggestions to be used before beowulf is read, while it is being read, and after the reading is completed. The present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern measures, the venerable epic, beowulf. See a complete list of the characters in beowulf and indepth analyses of beowulf, grendel, hrothgar, unferth, wiglaf, grendels mother, and the dragon. It is also widely known as the earliest surviving piece of literatures in vernacular european literature. The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as denmark and southwestern sweden. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars. But in this passage, beowulf claims that, if your fate hasnt been decided yet, you can succeed through sheer nerve and courageous behavior. Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language beowulf was written in originally. Course heros video study guide provides an indepth summary and analysis for the epic poem beowulf. Read an overview of the entire poem or a line by line summary and analysis.
Beowulf, a young warrior in geatland southwestern sweden, comes to the scyldings aid, bringing with him 14 of his finest men. See a complete list of the characters in beowulf and indepth analyses of beowulf, grendel, hrothgar, unferth, and wiglaf. Beowulf has always been regarded as a classic, and has inspired many writers over the ages including w. Iso88591 start of this project gutenberg ebook beowulf produced by david starner, dainis millers and the online. Feb 07, 2011 set in scandinavia during the late 5th century, this epic poem follows greats hero beowulf as he does battle with several characters including grendel and a dragon. It tells the story of the hero beowulf, and his battles against the monster grendel and grendels mother, and. Beowulf the literary epic poem english literature essay. Beowulf reading literature guide flip book beowulf. Beowulf makes an interesting claim early in the poem during his description of his swimming contest with breca. Beowulf reading literature guide flip book anglo saxon ancient literature epic poem, beowulf. That one time i taught british literature online while in freaking london and in ireland, scotland, paris, belgium, and read more realworld beowulf essay topic.
The first relates beowulf s successful fights with the water monster grendel and with grendels mother. Perhaps the most notable aspect of heaneys beowulf is that it can be read almost as if it were prose and then mined more deeply for the poetry. It is one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, and has. The heynesocin text and glossary have been closely followed. The first relates beowulfs successful fights with the water monster grendel and with grendels mother. Beowulf, the primary epic of the english language, is a powerful heroic poem eloquently expressive of the anglosaxon culture that produced it. Beowulf became the ruler of the speardanes and was beloved by all. Set in the sixth century in the southwestern part of the contemporary sweden, the poem begins with a genealogy of the. Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of old english literature and the earliest european vernacular epic.
Introduction to the old english poem called beowulf. Since its rediscovery in the early nineteenth century, it has become a recognised classic, translated scores if not hundreds of times. Mar 24, 2020 beowulf published as a separate book two examples are given beowulf. An anglosaxon epic poem is considered the oldest surviving old english poem, over three thousand alliterative verses celebrating the greatdane who protected king hrothgar, conquered grendel and was ultimately defeated by a dragon. One thing that supports beowulf as a literary work is the fact that the author uses fictitious characters such as grendel, grendels mother, and the dragon.
I came to the task of translating beowulf with a prejudice in favour of forthright delivery. Becwulf is the mythical and literary record of a formative stage of english civilization. Interweaving evocative images, a new interpretation in verse, and a running commentary that helps clarify the action and. Beowulf is without doubt the most ancient surviving epic poem of the so called anglosaxon epic tradition. Thepresent work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern measures, the venerable epic, beowulf. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. This edition includes an illuminating written commentary on the poem by the translator. Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the english language and the earliest piece of vernacular european literature. Epic poem by the beowulf poet translated by burton raffel. The main character, beowulf, proves himself a hero as he battles against supernatural demons and beasts. Beowulf bawoolf, oldest english epic, probably composed in the early 8th cent. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. The large figures refer to fitts, the small, to lines in the fitts.
What is the moral lesson taught in the story of beowulf. Dating back to between the 8th and 11th centuries and set in scandinavia, the poem likely was used to. Beowulf is arguably the most important extant poetic work of anglosaxon literature. Epic poem beowulf epic poem anglo saxon literature was written in old english. Francis barton gummere translates this beautiful poem. Beowulf glossary of proper names american literature. List of books and articles about beowulf online research. Beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english. Grendel, grendels mother, and, fifty years later at the end of his life, a dragon. Read glossary of proper names of beowulf by anonymous. Read beowulf alongside a modern english translation. The first folio of the heroic epic poem beowulf, written primarily in the west saxon dialect of old english.
Through the ages, there have been many translations, notably one by alfred lord tennyson. Set in the sixth century in the southwestern part of the contemporary sweden, the poem begins with a genealogy of the royal dynasty of the scyldings, or danes. The story of heroic beowulf and his battles with the monster grendel and also with grendels mother not to mention the dragon is rather awesome. Beowulf is the longest epic poem in old english, the language spoken in anglosaxon england before the norman conquest. Although originally untitled, it was later named after the scandinavian hero beowulf, whose exploits and character provide its connecting theme. Hrothgar once sheltered beowulf s father during a deadly feud, and the mighty geat hopes to return the favor while enhancing his own reputation and gaining treasure for his king, hygelac. It is a verse translation that retains the form of the original old english poem. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative lines. Beowulf literary analysis essay 869 words bartleby. In the last four lines of the poem we learn of four virtues that the men use to describe beowulf. It is one of the most important works of old english literature.
Part of the cotton ms vitellius a xv manuscript currently. Beowulf modern english translation by anonymous poetry. It deals with events of the early 6th century and is believed to have been composed between 700 and 750. At other points, the narrator reminds us that god determines everyones fate. Beowulf is the oldest surviving work of fiction in the english language so old, in fact, that the language its written in is barely recognizable as english no, really, listen to it. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving anglosaxon poem. First page of the beowulf manuscript this scan of the first page of the only surviving manuscript of beowulf shows what the work of anglosaxon scribes actually looked like. After suffering mistreatment and several neardisasters, the beowulf manuscript is now safely housed in the british library in london. Aug 26, 2018 beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the english language and the earliest piece of vernacular european literature. Is slain in a war with the hugs, franks, and frisians combined.
It may be the oldest surviving long poem in old english and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of old english literature. Since then, the epic poem has been estimated to have been. King of the geats, uncle and liegelord of beowulf, the hero of the poem. It is one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, and has been the subject of much scholarly study, theory, speculation and discourse. Beowulf is a major epic of anglosaxon literature, probably composed bet. Beowulf is regent, and afterwards king of the geats. It recounts two stories from the life of its eponymous geatish hero. It brings vividly before us our forefathers of prealfredian eras, in their love of war, of sea, and of adventure. Beowulf is an epic poem written sometime around 900 a. Although originally untitled, it was later named after the scandinavian hero beowulf. Download the free study guide and infographic for beowul. The poem opens with a brief genealogy of the scylding dane royal dynasty, named after a mythic hero, scyld scefing, who reached the tribes shores as a castaway babe on a ship loaded with treasure. Set in scandinavia during the late 5th century, this epic poem follows greats hero beowulf as he does battle with several characters including grendel and a dragon.