BeowulfHeather O'Donoghue Beowulf is the longest and finest literary work to have come down to us from Anglo-Saxon times, and one of the world's greatest epic poems. Set in the half-legendary, half historical Scandinavian past, it tells the story of the hero Beowulf, who comes to the aid of the Danish king Hrothgar by killing first the terrifying, demonic monster Grendel, and then Grendel's infuriated and vengeful mother. A lifetime later, Beowulf's own kingdom, Geatland, is threatened by a fiery dragon; Beowulf heroically takes on this challenge, but himself dies killing the dragon. The poem celebrates the virtues of the heroic life, but Hrothgar and Beowulf are beacons of wisdom and courage in a dark world of feuds, violence and uncertainty, and Beowulf's selfless heroism is set against a background of ruthless power struggles, fratricide and tyranny. This acclaimed translation is complemented by a critical introduction and substantial editorial apparatus. `The poem has at last found its translator . . .supremely well done' Charles Causley |
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Anglo-Saxon England armour attack avenged band barrow battle Beowulf blood brave Breca Christian combat corslet Danes Danish warrior daring dark death deeds dragon Eadgils Eanmund earth Ecgtheow enemies Eofor epic evil fate father feast feud Fight at Finnsburh Finn flames Freawaru Frisians gave Geatish Geatland Geats Germanic gleaming glorious Grendel Grendel's mother guard guardian Hæthcyn half-line hall hand Healfdene's heard Heardred Heathobards heirlooms helmet Hengest Heorogar Heorot Heremod hero heroic Hildeburh Hnæf hoard honour Hrethel Hrethric Hrothgar Hrothulf Hygd Hygelac Ingeld Jutes killed king kinsman lair land leader literary lived lord mead-bench mighty monster mournful nephew night noble Offa Old English Old Norse once Onela Ongentheow Oxford World's Classics pagan poem poem's poet poet's poetry prince pyre raven renowned retainers ruler saga Scyld Scefing Scyldings seafarers shield ship Sigemund slain slew Swedes sword thanes tradition treasures tribe Unferth war-gear Wealhtheow weapons Weohstan Wiglaf wise wounded