We use, in this wolfnote, the translation of 1973 by michael alexander. The first fragment, as well as a prose translation of. It tells the story of the heroic beowulf and of his battles, first with the monster grendel, who has. For penguin he has translated, the earliest english poems, the canterbury tales. Beowulf beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english, unparalleled in its epic grandeur and scope.
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. Composed toward the end of the first millennium of our era, beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the adventures of beowulf. The speardanes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness. This acclaimed translation is complemented by a critical introduction and substantial editorial apparatus. Beowulf, an anglosaxon poem of epic scope, dates back to the year 850 and marks the beginning of the english literary tradition. Michael alexander translator is berry professor of english literature at the university of st andrews.
Grendel by john gardner eaters of the dead by michael crichton grendels mother by susan signe. Kiernans electronic beowulf cd images of the original manuscript text of this section, and an mp3 file of ben slade reading it in old english, are here. As an encounter of beowulf and twentiethcentury avantgarde poetics, thomas meyers translation. That is what beowulf is, a poem that tells of a great hero, trying to leave his mark in this world, to have. Against this heroic background of feuding and feasting, beowulf first kills the monster grendel and her mother, and later defends his people against a dragon in a battle that leaves them both mortally wounded. Verse translation, michael alexander, michael alexander, beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english, unparalleled in its epic grandeur and scope.
Beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english, unparalleled in its epic grandeur and scope. Outside in the darkness, however, lurks the monster grendel. Beowulf translated with annotations by john lesslie hall and an introduction. A verse translation 9780140449310 by michael alexander.
Beowulf, a mighty noble from geatland sweden, arrives in denmark to aid. Michael alexander is professor of english at the university of st andrews, and translatoreditor of beowulf. Kiernans electronic beowulf cd images of the original manuscript text of this. Beowulf version 2 audiobook unknown, translated by francis barton gummere 1855 1919 beowulf was composed by an anonymous anglosaxon poet. Beowulf by michael alexander penguin books australia. New york times best seller and whitebread book of the year, nobel laureate seamus heaneys new translation of beowulf comes to life in this gripping audio. Although there is no evidence to show that beowulf is an actual historical character, other names mentioned. The translations in this anthology of the greatest. Part of a new series legends from the ancient north, beowulf is one of the classic books that influenced jrr tolkiens the hobbit and the lord of the ring. Beowulf translated by burton raffel the selection opens during an evening of celebration at herot, the banquet hall of the danish king hrothgar. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. Michael alexander recently retired from the chair of english literature at the university of st andrews. The noble simplicity of beowulf s anonymous anglosaxon singer is recaptured in this vivid translation by burton raffel.
Curschmann, michael 1977, the concept of the formula as an impediment to. The author looks in particular at four translations of arguably the most literary and historical importance. Beowulf is the iconic work of literature in old english. Adolescent readers will enjoy its action and adventure. Although the first manuscript of beowulf dates from around the year ce, it is thought that the poem existed in its present form from the year 850. It tells the story of the heroic beowulf and of his battles, first with the monster. Eighthcentury in origin, composed to be recited aloud, it told its anglosaxon listeners a story of their scandinavian ancestors.
Beowulf beaw was famed his renown spread widescyldes eafera scedelandum in. He held the berry chair of english literature at the university of st andrews until his retirement in 2003. Alexanders translation is marked by a conviction that it is possible to be both. Heaneys performance reminds us that beowulf, written near the turn of another millennium. Beowulf is well suited for uppergrade high school students of all abilities. His verse translations of the earliest english poems and beowulf. It makes you feel like youre sitting around a campfire.
This revised edition of michael alexander s acclaimed verse translation makes accessible to modern readers the story of the scandinavian hero beowulf. I had always liked michael alexanders 1973 translation and hated seamus heaneys when it was published. First page of the beowulf manuscript this scan of the first page of the only surviving manuscript of beowulf. Warrior princess and hercules, and movies like the th warrior based on michael. Heaneys translation is good enough on page, but to hear him read it is marvelous. The stories of beowulf, like those of all oral epics, are traditional ones, familiar to tne audiences who crowded around the harp. Delaware county district library ohio scanned in china. The heaney translation of beowulf is referred to often as heaneywulf for a reason. Beowulf is the greatest surviving work of literature in old english. Beowulf rings with beauty, power, and artistry that have kept it alive for a thousand years. Finest heroic poem in old english celebrates the exploits of beowulf, a young nobleman of southern sweden. A verse translation penguin classics paperback april 29, 2003. Translation by michael alexander, first published on 1973 is very skillfully put together and admirable.
A great number of translations and adaptations are available, in poetry and. Combines myth, christian and pagan elements, and history into a powerful narrative. Nobel laureate seamus heaneys new translation of beowulf comes to life in this gripping audio. Beowulf version 2 audiobook unknown, translated by francis barton gummere 1855 1919 beowulf was composed by an. Michael alexander s a history of old english literature lives up to its title in providing a survey of literary. Of particular note is the description of soldiers helmets, decorated with boarcarvings, alongside references to god and christ, such as when beowulf.
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. 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. Michael joseph alexander born 1941 is a british translator, poet, academic and broadcaster. 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 longest and finest literary work to have. Beowulf has undergone a series of radical shifts and transformations whose strange and often deeply embarrassing layers may leave the poem at once closer to hand and more unfamiliar than ever. The first fragment, as well as a prose translation of beowulf. Heaneys performance reminds us that beowulf, written near the turn of another millennium, was intended to be heard not read.