Beowulf

by Anonymous, Seamus Heaney

Composed towards the end of the first millennium of our era, the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf" is a Northern epic and a classic of European literature. In this new translation, Seamus Heaney has produced a work that is true, line by line, to the original poem.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2000

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[freddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading for uni!

[Johnathan Elmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hecka old, and it’s been translated and taken out of poetic prose. Probably 5 stars except that the story itself left me wanting more details on what was going on.

Love the afterword from a Beowulf scholar. Insightful.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly I actually liked this. However, one I think this is the right tanslation I read I am not sure though. Which brings me to the first point. Which is the fact that all of the translation to me at least are very different. As looking over some of the specific battles across the translations I do believe this is the best out of the translations though. Across the following translation the first three lines all of them start with different variations of grabbing someone’s attention, and The similarities of the three are of the ‘monsturous’ Grendel feasting on the warrior and those who are in Hrogath’s home. Wine-hall is the meeting room for all of them. Flame/fire in all of them, and how strong Grendel is. HOWEVER, All the excerpts portray the actual event of Grendel feasting differently. As Raffel’s translation of the excerpt Grendel does not yet feast on the men while in the other excerpts Grendel does. To me however when it comes to the mood and impaction of the phrases Heaney’s translation tends to have stronger diction in describing Grendel ‘ripping them to shreds’ impacting a darker mood in this specific version of the event. While the other two are a bit less impactful which can be told through the low amounts of stylistic differences and a lower interpretations of the text. Therefore, based on those two points Heaney's translation are definetly the best. Though, in these time periods the thought of feminism does not truly exist and the whole story is male dominated and if you truly do not like it do not read it. Also do not read it if you are not a fan of warrior culture, though if those two things do not bother you it is a good read and is translated really well.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

BEOWULF is the classic piece of Old English literature, a poem set in an even-older period of Scandinavian history as a hero faces three monsters - the famous Grendel, Grendel's mother, and then a dragon.

I'd read it before, many years ago, and vaguely remember studying a passage in school (the battle with Grendel and the arm being ripped off), but this time I was reading it to look at the language more than the story. As it's in translation, some of the rhythms are lost - and I've always been useless as picking up on rhythm in written word anyway.

However, something that comes through really well in this translation are the kennings. These are descriptive replacements for nouns - like "ring-giver" for king, or "war-shirt" for chain mail. It's a lovely little detail that is quite different from classic poems from the Greek tradition, for example, and it helps make it feel quite different.

[Gothica Noctua · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Beowulf" is a renowned epic of Viking heroism. The titular hero, a man of amazing strength amongst other talents, travels to the mead hall of King Hrothgar of the Danes, which is under constant attack by the monstrous Grendel - a demonic beast angered by the noise of the feasts.

The saga falls almost neatly into three parts: the first depicting Beowulf's duel with Grendel, then the retaliation by a wronged mother, and finally closing with one last battle that occurs many years later in the hero's homeland.

Heaney's translation, whilst written in contemporary language, retains a beautiful poetic flow: making the work accessible and enjoyable to modern audiences (including those unfamiliar with the tale - this edition would serve as an excellent introduction) and giving it a lively pace and edge.

[Kevin Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just reviewing the Norton Critical Edition of "Beowulf: a Verse Translation".

Consisting of Heaney's wonderful translation of the original poem, as well as articles on the context of the poem and critical 'takes' on various aspects of Beowulf arcania, this edition is a must for those interested in the total context of the poem, with its background and history. The breadth of the critical articles in themselves is worth the read, for the articles address a great deal of any questions one has about any aspect of the world that created the Beowulf poet. Particularly helpful/insightful are the articles by J.R.R. Tolkein and Fred C. Robinson ("The Tomb of Beowulf"). In fact, the latter article is really essential to a clear understanding of religion and culture in this most revealing of poems. So, while I have a sneaky suspicion that the true experience of the poem would require reading it in the original Old English, this book, with its version of the poem by Heaney and its accompanying texts, is a wonderful, incredibly enlightening foray into the Anglo-Saxon world of the poem. For that it is highly recommended.

[Martha Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this because I felt like it was some kind of crime to be an English graduate who had never read Beowulf, and I would read a poem about toenail clippings if Seamus Heaney wanted to write one.

Honestly, it's beautifully written. Heaney's foreword on the themes and the language construction choices was really interesting, particularly as I was totally new to Beowulf and didn't know what I was getting myself into. I can't attest to how faithful it was to the original, but it was both engaging and evocative and at times actually very moving.

Also, one of like, three things that I actually knew about Beowulf before I read this was the famous opening "Hwaet!" (usually translated as like, Listen! Hark! or whatever) which Heaney translated as "So." AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY COOL, AND I'M STILL EXCITED ABOUT IT.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this in 2020 after spending years trying to find it. Heaney won the Whitbread Prize in 2000 for this. It's a beautiful rendition of an old tale that is an incredibly important piece of Scandinavian and Old English literature. I have seen this partially performed in Michael Wood's documentary on "Beowulf." It's riveting performed as it would have been done for centuries in halls in ancient times. The story of a fabled hero, a son in a long line of Viking Kings, just works because of the way it is written. The language is accessible and vibrant. The halls, the land, the sea, the peoples , are all well described and come to life. The story ends with Beowulf's funeral (I'm not giving away the ending that everyone knows) and it is meticulously described giving us in the 21st C a real understanding of the ceremony and the reasons behind it. A wonderful read.

[Heather Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few different translations and Heaney's is probably my favourite. In the edition I own (red cover), he has the Old English on one side and his translation on the other, with line references and all that jazz, making it super easy as a Medieval Studies student to follow what's going on and pick out certain words. The language he picks is poetic and beautiful, doing justice to the wonderful poet.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In order to understand the poem, I tried to put myself in the era in which it depicted. The writing was beautiful - full of alliteration and analogy. Themes then were no different than now: honor, solidarity, alliances, etc. Thanks to the excellent translation, Beowulf Grendel come alive - their story building to a climax of "life and death". The book is short and worthy of a read!!!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this translation of this classic story in audio format. I vaguely remember reading it in high school so I decided to revisit it. I agree with other reviewers that the translator’s essay should have been at the start of the book. There were parts where I was confused as to who was talking or who a certain character was.

[Violet-May Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% recommend reading this book. This epic poem, translated from Old English Anglo-Saxon, helps to tell the story of a memorable hero who depicted a sense of goodness over an egotistical nature. I really enjoyed reading this because not only did it mention monsters and dragons, it also shows a sense of adventure and the act of including many different types of monsters.

[Sharolyn Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this again before doing the Middle Ages with students in World History. We read a small excerpt. I haven’t read it since high school, and I enjoyed it so much more this time and with this translation.

[Will Lloyd-Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was phenomenal, I really am going to have to reread.

I haven't read the original poetry series and, if I'm honest, I probably never will.

Heaney's attempt here is just so rich and rounded that I don't feel the need to.

[Anthony Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good and interesting. Very easy to read. For fans of The Lord of The Rings.

[RyanneAndHerBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fictional story of an old time hero taking on gruesome battles and basking in the glory before age inevitably and slowly steals his strength away.

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything narrated by George Guidall is good!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never had to read this during my years in school so thought I’d try it. It was good. Not great. But I get why it’s required reading.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to listen to the audiobook read by Heaney on YouTube, which I enjoyed. Easily understandable without feeling too modern.

[Susanna Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy

[Toast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.
Toast

[Joseph S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful translation, which renders the heroic tale tinged throughout by the foreknowledge of death and destruction all the more powerful.

[Lizzie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us know the story of Beowulf. If there are any of you out there that don't, then you are missing out on a classic. But when this wonderful old tale has been translated and read by Seamus Heaney himself, then it is the best story retold by far, in my opinion of course. I have read the story several times, but listening to the poet's voice, with his beautiful cadence, deliver this delicious and vivid retelling of the old Saga, is a treat for the ears, the soul and the mind. A true gem!

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex and interesting . It's a 7th to 10th century work that could either relate to Anglo Saxon familial Links with the Danes or Viking assimilation and Christianisation in England , though not set here . Beowulf is a warrior yet also a diplomat - the poem takes time for asides to counsel on this . He has a warrior's for reputation yet early on in de-escalates a drunken assault on his prowess rather than reacting with violence . Yet the conflict between reputation and ethics does for him in the end - he dies facing a dragon alone for the sake of his warrior's reputation and honour even though his death may have left his kingdom vulnerable .

Grendel is cast here as a defender of Cain - this is a culture that knows it's Bible , a warrior code that warns against pride . Just a Shame we can't date it more precisely .

[Marie-José · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of words to tell a short heroic story. So ma y references to many old heroes I have never heard of....

[Joe Born]

Good historical value, but only a serious cool aid drinker (of which undoubtedly there are many) could think Beowulf is really compelling by modern storytelling and character developmental standards.