I read beowolf many years ago, inspired by john gardeners grendel. What is the best translation of beowulf i posted this on another subreddit, but they told me htat it would be better suited to rliterature, and looking there lead me here. Beautifully translated and updated by the brilliant linguist seamus heaney. Feb 27, 2003 for penguin he has translated, the earliest english poems, the canterbury tales the first fragment, as well as a prose translation of beowulf. Apr 29, 2003 the amazon product details for this are not too helpful are they. Beowulf and verse history chapter 1 english alliterative. New york times bestseller and winner of the costa book award composed toward the end of the first millennium, beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the adventures of beowulf, a scandinavian hero who saves the danes from the seemingly invincible monster grendel and, later, from grendels mother. Beowulf by heaney, first edition abebooks passion for books.
The layout original anglosaxon on the left page, heaney translation on the right makes it possible to read the original poem aloud for its gorgeous alliteration and rolling rhythm. I liked it then, but i loved heaneys gift of a verse translation accessible to the modern reader. Heaneys translation of beowulf became a bestseller, and in 2002 he brought out finders keepers, a collection of previously published essays and lectures. Since the poem first came to scholarly attention in the early nineteenth century, it has been conventional to regard beowulf as the apotheosis of the socalled classical alliterative long line. It is arguably one of the most important works of old english literature. Browse the worlds largest ebookstore and start reading today on the web, tablet, phone, or ereader. Composed towards the end of the first millennium, the anglosaxon poem beowulf is one of the great northern epics and a classic of european literature. Norton anthology of english literature, general editor, stephen. Listen to this old english epic poem by an anonymous anglosaxon poet dated somewhere between the 8th and the early 11th century. A verse translation second edition and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language beowulf was written in originally. Occasionally a deviation has been made, but always for what seemed. A new translation of beowulf challenges its christian. California state university, san bernardino, beowulf.
The story of beowulfs terrifying quest to destroy the foul fiend grendel, his mothera hideous seahag, and a monstrous firedragon, is the oldest surviving epic in english literature. Readers seeking a literary verse translation of beowulf, however, are better served reading those by dick ringler, seamus heaney, or michael alexander. A new verse translation by heaney, seamus and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Beowulf version 2 audiobook unknown, translated by francis barton gummere 1855 1919 beowulf was composed by an anonymous anglosaxon poet. Written in old english or anglosaxon the manuscript of beowulf is believed. The title of this book is beowulf and it was written by daniel donoghue editor, seamus heaney translator, seamus translator. A verse translation michael alexander download bok. Download one of the free kindle apps to start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. In 1805, the historian sharon turner translated selected verses into modern english. A new verse translation bilingual edition, published 2001 under isbn 9780393320978 and isbn 0393320979. Oct 19, 2015 beowulf version 2 audiobook unknown, translated by francis barton gummere 1855 1919 beowulf was composed by an anonymous anglosaxon poet.
The first was of course seamus heaneys awesome 1999 translation which all turnofthemillenium english majors have cut their teeth on by way of the norton, and, weirdly enough, j. Beowulf beaw was famed his renown spread widescyldes eafera scedelandum in. Having read the poem dozens of times, both in old english and in translation, i have to say that this is. It is one of the most important works of old english literature. It is a verse translation that retains the form of the original old english poem.
In his new translation, seamus heaney has produced a work which is both true, line by line, to the original poem, and an expression, in its language and music, of something fundamental to his own creative gift. A new verse translation bilingual edition by seamus heaney and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Download this important work of anglosaxon literature and the oldest surviving epic poem of old english. This epic tale is well delivered by the nobel prize winning poet seamus heaney. His verse translations of the earliest english poemsand beowulfhave sold over half a million copies in. Fair warning, this is the third translation of beowulf i have read.
A new verse translation by unknown 20000215 paperback 1994. A verse translation with treasures of the ancient north. Beowulf a new verse translation by seamus heaney bilingual. In the introduction to his translation of beowulf, irishman seamus heaney ponders the epic nature of the story and the mythology of the anglosaxon tradition. Books can be attributed to unknown when the author or editor as applicable is not known and cannot be discovered. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars.
This is francis gummeres translation of beowulf first published around 1909. The poem is known only from a single manuscript, which is estimated to date from around 9751025, in which it appears with other works. Michael alexanderrecently retired from the chair of english literature at the university of st andrews. Of all english translations of beowulf, that of professor garnett alone gives any adequate idea of the. The relationship of beowulf to newer and older lexical sets will have been no less mediated by the unknown contours of its versehistorical moment. Translated by seamus heaney, winner of the nobel prize in literature in 1995, and read by him on this audio cd, he breathes new. Its all very well for the moment, of course, but what about in a few years. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He captures all the gritty details of the early middle ages, and his narration adds a lot to this audio book. Beowulf channels the book of genesis, the book of exodus, and the book of daniel in its inclusion of references to the. Hear the epic battle between the hero beowulf and the monster grendel, and then grendels mother. I once taught this book to a class of disaffected high school. His verse translations of the earliest english poemsand beowulfhave sold over half a million copies in penguin, for whom he has also edited beowulfand the canterbury tales the first fragment. Feb 17, 2001 this is the new verse translation of this first millennium text, which was written sometime between the seventh and tenth centuries by an unknown english author.
He wonders at why beowulfs story is not as well known as greek mythology and homer. A verse translation norton critical editions new ed by daniel donoghue, seamus heaney isbn. Beowulf is one of the oldest, complete surviving epic poems in existent. If at all possible, list at least one actual author or editor for a book instead of using unknown.
Translated by seamus heaney, winner of the nobel prize in literature in 1995, and read by him on this audio cd, he breathes new life into this mythic epic. Composed toward the end of the first millennium of our era, beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the adventures of beowulf, a scandinavian hero who saves the danes from the seemingly invincible monster grendel and, later, from grendels mother. Beowulf itself is one of the classics of epic poetry. The first manuscript was written in the language of the saxons, old english, also known as anglosaxon. Beowulf by seamus heaney and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Beowulf a new verse translation bilingual edition thriftbooks. Heaney considers beowulf one of the foundation works of poetry in english. The heynesocin text and glossary have been closely. Also included is the text of sellic spell, an imaginary beowulf story composed in the spirit of the folk material by tolkien. This translation uses alliterative verse similar to the old english original, and uses some words that are now or perhaps always were very obscure. This book presents a different insight into reading beowulf.
Earlier this year a new version of beowulf was published, translated by the irish nobel prize winner for 1995 seamus heaney. Owing to the lilting, stop and start rhythms typical of old english poetry and rebsamens faithful translation, the phrases sometimes seem to run over one another. So ought a young man by good deeds deserve, fromum feohgiftum on f. Heaney has done just that in this brilliant millennial beowulf, just in time for the next centurys atrocities. Beowulf by seamus heaney 9780393320978 beautiful feet books. Seamus heaneys seminal 2000 translation of the old english epic beowulf brought the work, first put to paper by an unknown anglosaxon about a thousand years ago, into the 21st century. Apr 08, 2002 composed towards the end of the first millennium, the anglosaxon poem beowulf is one of the great northern epics and a classic of european literature. Beowulf includes scores of kennings, and rebsamen translates many of them literally. The present work is a modest effort to reproduce approximately, in modern measures, the venerable epic, beowulf. A verse translation seamus heaney, daniel donoghue. This audio book is the translated by irish poet and. A verse translation norton critical edition by daniel donoghue. The classic story of beowulf, hero and dragonslayer, appears here in a new translation accompanied by genealogical charts, historical summaries, and a glossary of proper names. Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble had to thrust his soul inthefiresembrace,forfeiti ng help.
A new verse translation by seamus heaney, paperback. There are a few others from the same era that have survived in fragments, so the significance of beowulf remains in regards to english literature. Beowulf published as a separate book two examples are given beowulf. They are testimonies to the fact that poets themselves are finders and keepers, that their vocation is to look after art and life by being. The most important old english poem, and the first known major poem written in a european vernacular, beowulf is. Tolkiens somewhat cluttered prose translation when he was in his early thirties and locked away for almost a hundred years before. It tells the story of the heroic beowulf and of his battles, first with the monster grendel, who has laid waste to the great hall of the danish king hrothgar, then with grendels avenging mother, and finally with a dragon that threatens to devastate his. I read this aloud to my son, who is very into monsters and knights and such, as bedtime reading and he loved it, despite the archaic language. Of unknown date, and surviving in a tenthcentury manuscript, beowulf is the tale of a young geatish hero and his struggle with three deadly foes, beginning with the dread monster grendel, who has been devouring warriors in the hall of the danish king in their sleep. This unassuming little paperback is the best beowulf translation ever written. A translation and commentary, together with sellic spell by.
Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to anonymous. This edition includes an illuminating written commentary on the poem by the. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. Verdict for tolkien aficionados this is an important addition.
Its always puzzling to know what to do with a book subtitled a new verse translation. Written in old english by an unknown poet, beowulf is a cornerstone of english and western literature. Recently ive been interested in ancient epics and came across a plot summery of beowulf. Presents a new translation of the anglosaxon epic chronicling the heroic adventures of beowulf, the scandinavian warrior who saves his people from the ravages of the monster grendel and grendels mother.
Referred to as uncle of heardred, but otherwise unknown. The speardanes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the english language and the earliest piece of vernacular european literature. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Scholars believe the poem was written somewhere between the years 700 and and that the only manuscript that has survived was produced between 975 and 1010 stephen mitchell, translator of a recently published version of beowulf yale university press. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the sparknotes beowulf study guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. Heaney has spent many years trying to get this translation just right, and i believe he hit the nail on the head in this case. But the date of beowulf and the contours of alliterative verse history before roughly 950 are interdependent. Beowulf a verse translation by frederick rebsamen of the first great narrative poem in the english language that captures the feeling and tone of the original beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Beowulf survives in a single manuscript dated on palaeographical grounds to the late 10th or early 11th century. This is the new verse translation of this first millennium text, which was written sometime between the seventh and tenth centuries by an unknown english author. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Mar 24, 2020 if the workgenerally you will be using a translation is presented without section numbers, as in the original anglosaxon poem, where the work is one long continuous text with spaces between the sections, and no line numbers are given, you would use a page number or numbers following the title of the work beowulf 41.
Unknown s most popular book is sir gawain and the green knight. These and other documents sketching some of the cultural forces behind the poems final creation will help readers see beowulf as an exploration of the politics of kingship and the. Beowulf is a major epic of anglosaxon literature, probably composed bet. It tells the story of the heroic beowulf and of his battles, first with the monster grendel, who has laid waste to the great hall of the danish king hrothgar, then with grendels avenging mother, and finally with a dragon that threatens to devastate his homeland. More than a new translation, seamus heaneys beowolf is a transformation. A verse translation paperback apr 29 2003 by anonymous author, michael alexander translator 4. Tolkiens somewhat cluttered prose translation when he was in his early thirties and locked away for almost a hundred years before excavated. Every theory of old english meter has been measured by the measures of beowulf. Tolkien completed his translation of beowulf in 1926. In his new translation, nobel laureate seamus heaney has produced a work that is both true, line by line, to the original poem and a fundamental expression of.
A verse translation second edition norton critical editions second edition. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Jan 09, 2018 stephen mitchell is a gifted translator, and his translation of beowulf in verse is meticulous, lucid, musical, and most readable, but is a poor guide to its written in old english by an unknown poet, beowulf is a cornerstone of english and western literature. Translated by seamus heaney, winner of the nobel prize in literature in 1995, and. Beowulf has a way of creating its historical context, tennesseejarlike. For penguin he has translated, the earliest english poems, the canterbury tales the first fragment, as well as a prose translation of beowulf. This translation by seamus heaney of beowulf has a plainspoken elegance. Beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english, unparalleled in its epic grandeur and scope.