Medieval Epics: Beowulf/The Song of Roland/The Nibelungenlied/The Cid

by William Alfred (Translator), W.S. Merwin (translator), Helen M. Mustard (Translator)

The Modern Library presents unique translations in Medieval Epics, and in The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, a wonderful history.The works presented in Medieval Epics are Beowulf the greatest achievement of Old English literature, and the legend of Castilian hero The Cid (both translated by the renowned poet W. S. Merwin); the Middle High German epic poem The Niebelungenlied (translated by critic and academic Helen Mustard); and the Old French poem The Song of Roland (translated by William Alfred, professor of English at Harvard). The translators are preeminent authorities, and they provide critical evaluations and discussions of the technical and historical aspects of the works. Other than The Cid, these renderings are unique to this Modern Library edition.

Genres: Classics, Poetry, Fiction, Medieval, Epic

611 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 1963

Reviews

[Richard Epstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd forgotten that, according to The Song of Roland, after Charlemagne took Saragossa, his troops, bearing hammers and iron mallets, destroyed the synagogues, as well as the mosques. I'm not sure Charles was all that Great.

The poems are effective in parts, thoroughly soaked in blood, and surprisingly silly. I should mention that the part of The Cid legend in which Charlton Heston gets tied to a horse didn't make it into the poem.

It surprised me that thousands and thousands of highly skilled, fully equipped, and utterly fungible warriors were available on demand, whenever they were needed. The lands of Beowulf, Roland, Siegfried, and Mr Cid must have been far more densely populated than I'd ever have guessed. You couldn't have turned around at the mall w/o accidentally impaling yourself on a spear or having your hauberk halved.

[Trappercat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a must read of the treasury of medieval works. Take the time, it's worth it.

[Eliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never actually read any of these, so this was a very useful volume. The introductions before each story were very helpful to provide context to the content, style, and historical importance of each Epic.

[Bob Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four interesting tales from around the eleventh century: Beowulf, The Song of Roland, The Niebelungenlied, and El Cid. There is much in here about chivalry, Knightly behavior, and court intrigue from different medieval cultures.

[Joseph D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beowolf - ***
The Song of Roland - *****
The Nibelungenlied - ****
El Cid - ****

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the readings of my earliest years were substantially directed by family, friends and primary school teachers, most of my reading since beginning secondary school has been on my own. This is not to fault some of the excellent assignments made by professors. It is to say that it is generally more rewarding to follow one's own evolving interests. Many is the book I've read under coercion which left me with very little.

I obtained this Modern Library Giant off the remainder rack of some chain bookstore in the Golf Mill Shopping Center near my parents' home in Park Ridge, Illinois, while home from college. The more I'd learned, the more ignorant I felt, particularly of the classics such as the bible and the epics contained in this volume. The bible came later, but this was a start in filling in the gaps.

Of the texts contained within, I most liked Beowulf. If I hadn't read it I never would have read and appreciated Gardner's take-off, Grendel. The Cid and The Song of Roland left me cold.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession: I only read Beowulf and a little bit of The Cid.

Loved Beowulf! I'm sure I only scratched the surface of understanding it as a work of literature, but it's a great story even if you read superficially.

As for The Cid, the translator's introduction was interesting, as it gave the true history behind the legend and poem, but I had a hard time sticking with reading the poem. I may have to cheat on this one and look for the movie.

[Tamsin]

I haven't actually read this book yet, but I'm planning to, looks interesting :). Basically I'm completing a 5000 essay comparing medieval literature to more modern novels (something similar to The Lord of the Rings; only shorter!)....to those who have read this book, would the stories in it be useful to do this and do you have any suggestions of modern day comparisons with relation to good vs evil, style of writing, values/morals, Christianity/religion and violence? Thank you :)

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

reading the Nibelungenlied Germanic saga...not sure whether I'll finish it, but it looked interesting