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Beowulf
A fat, dreamy child, disappointing to his famous berserker father, Berki is given the mocking name “Beowulf” by his fellow youths. His love for the maiden Hygd drives him to his first heroic contest, in the course of which he is swept up by the wild passions of the sea-god’s ninth daughter. Coming back from the sea’s depths to the Geatish court, Beowulf discovers that he is no longer an object of mockery: his troll-like size, strength, and the lingering touch of the Otherworld upon him make him feared where he was once despised. Now Beowulf’s true strife lies before him: the struggle to remain human among humans while accepting the sorrows and loneliness of his Otherworldly nature; to use his monster’s strength to defend the earth from the ravages of troll and dragon; and to stand, at last, as a true king for the folk who once thought him worthless.
769 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2010
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Stephan Grundy
18 books24 followersDr. Stephan Grundy (born 1967 in New York, U.S.) is an American author. Being versed in particularly the Germanic mythology and cultural history, Grundy is known best for his modern adaptations of legendary sagas. Some of his work is published under the pseudonym Kveldulf Gundarsson.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 11, 2022
Having not really known much about the story of Beowulf, I can't exactly say if this rendition was accurate or not but it made for an interesting read.
January 25, 2014
"Gold and Honor Purchased with a Hero's Blood"
(Based on the Signet Classics edition)
ONE
The timeless tale of a valiant warrior
Daring to cross foam-crested waters
With a goodly company on a proud-prowed ship,
Desirous to ease the Danish king's distress,
Bold Beowulf, the great Geat, did land upon
Denmark's grief-ravaged shore, there to offer
Unselfish service against the gross blood-fiend, Grendel.
Alone among many brave me, Beowulf feigned sleep
To greet without weaponry the merciless monster.
Scorning to use his shining shield, sword or shirt of mail,
He sought simple strength combat with the arrogant foe,
Ultimately wrenching one clawed arm from the beast.
Watching in relief as the vanquished foe staggered to his inky lair.
Great were the rewards bestowed by the grateful, yet aged ring-giver.
TWO
Yet the eternal struggle between men and evil was not yet complete.
Short-lived their relief when there arose a second beast to wreak revenge:
Grendel's distraught mother, ravaging the sleeping hall in her pain.
Determined to end her arrogant and wanton destruction, again the hero
Rose to defend Denmark's honor.
Fearlessly he plunged into the evil lake
Of murky waters -scorning the aid of his shivering men. To end forever the Mayhem of madness, alone in that liquid hell, used a giant's ancient sword.
THREE
Ancient tales of valor and extraordinary courage, daring international rescue:
Alliteration and use of rhythm, familiar motifs and repetition of action--
All are essential elements in pre Anglo-Saxon sagas. Set against Nordic and Germanic backdrop, the singer/poet performed vital social and historical roles.
Pagan deeds set in a Christian framework prove a curious literary conflict,
As courteous speeches or crude insults inspire action, honor and shame.
Let the tongues of men unborn continue to praise the hero for 100 generations!
FOUR
Let pass the winters of 50 years; slowed now is the steel of his sinews,
But untarnished beats the heart of Beowulf's nobility, his admired honor.
A third time is he summoned to pluck those in peril from a Dragon
On the rampage for the theft of his tarnished treasures.
Well knows the hero that fate may be weighted against him this time.
But his royal honor Demands the attempt to end forever the blood reign of terror.
With faithful Wiglaf's aid the Dragon is slain, but behold the hero upon his funeral pyre.
Poetry is a greater challenge to read than prose, but these orally-transmitted sagas provide insight into the ancient mythos. Those were the days when men were Men--and Women were Glad of it! ALso MOnarchs.
(March 12, 2012.)
(Based on the Signet Classics edition)
ONE
The timeless tale of a valiant warrior
Daring to cross foam-crested waters
With a goodly company on a proud-prowed ship,
Desirous to ease the Danish king's distress,
Bold Beowulf, the great Geat, did land upon
Denmark's grief-ravaged shore, there to offer
Unselfish service against the gross blood-fiend, Grendel.
Alone among many brave me, Beowulf feigned sleep
To greet without weaponry the merciless monster.
Scorning to use his shining shield, sword or shirt of mail,
He sought simple strength combat with the arrogant foe,
Ultimately wrenching one clawed arm from the beast.
Watching in relief as the vanquished foe staggered to his inky lair.
Great were the rewards bestowed by the grateful, yet aged ring-giver.
TWO
Yet the eternal struggle between men and evil was not yet complete.
Short-lived their relief when there arose a second beast to wreak revenge:
Grendel's distraught mother, ravaging the sleeping hall in her pain.
Determined to end her arrogant and wanton destruction, again the hero
Rose to defend Denmark's honor.
Fearlessly he plunged into the evil lake
Of murky waters -scorning the aid of his shivering men. To end forever the Mayhem of madness, alone in that liquid hell, used a giant's ancient sword.
THREE
Ancient tales of valor and extraordinary courage, daring international rescue:
Alliteration and use of rhythm, familiar motifs and repetition of action--
All are essential elements in pre Anglo-Saxon sagas. Set against Nordic and Germanic backdrop, the singer/poet performed vital social and historical roles.
Pagan deeds set in a Christian framework prove a curious literary conflict,
As courteous speeches or crude insults inspire action, honor and shame.
Let the tongues of men unborn continue to praise the hero for 100 generations!
FOUR
Let pass the winters of 50 years; slowed now is the steel of his sinews,
But untarnished beats the heart of Beowulf's nobility, his admired honor.
A third time is he summoned to pluck those in peril from a Dragon
On the rampage for the theft of his tarnished treasures.
Well knows the hero that fate may be weighted against him this time.
But his royal honor Demands the attempt to end forever the blood reign of terror.
With faithful Wiglaf's aid the Dragon is slain, but behold the hero upon his funeral pyre.
Poetry is a greater challenge to read than prose, but these orally-transmitted sagas provide insight into the ancient mythos. Those were the days when men were Men--and Women were Glad of it! ALso MOnarchs.
(March 12, 2012.)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews