After reading the chapter called the middle ages from norton anthology of english literature. Beowulf is the longest epic poem in old english, the language spoken in anglosaxon england before the norman conquest. Beowulf is considered the oldest surviving poem in the english language. Beowulf was composed by an unknown poet who lived more than twelve hundred years ago, beowulf marks the beginning of english literature. While the date of the poem s composition is still debated, the only certainty is that the physical manuscript. The project gutenberg ebook of beowulf this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no. As in the classical tradition of epic poetry, the poem is concerned with. This revised edition of michael alexanders acclaimed verse translation makes accessible to modern readers the story of the scandinavian hero beowulf slayer of the monster grendel and grendels motherwho becomes a king of greatland in old. Created in the oralpoetic mode and probably composed as a whole sometime in the.
Old english poetry is marked by a strong rhythm that is easy to chant or. Commonly cited as one of the most important works of anglosaxon literature, beowulf is an epic poem that traces the exploits of the titular hero. Francis barton gummere translates this beautiful poem. For 12 years, a huge manlike ogre named grendel, a descendant of the biblical murderer. Beowulf english 12 literature book passion for the arts. In the citation directly above, the title beowulf would be placed in italics since it is a long poem usually published as a book by itself. After coming to the aid of the king of the danes, whose mead hall is under constant attack by the monster grendel, beowulf slays grendels mother and goes on to become the king of the geats.
Often cited as one of the most important works of old english literature, beowulf is a great way to introduce students to epic poetry. Note, the translation may vary slightly from your textbook. Note, this may vary slightly from the translation found in your textbook. While it is set in scandinavia in the early sixth century, the poem was composed in england somewhere between the seventh and the end of the tenth century. Much of the material of the poem is based on early folk. An old english heroic poem, said to have been written between the 8th and 11th centuries. Old english bears little resemblance to modern english and so must be translated for readers today.
In striving to enrich the lives of all readers, teachingbooks supports the first amendment and celebrates the right to read. Abeka english literature grade 12 unit 5 the restoration and the 18th century 16601800 only through p. Beowulf character list a detailed list of characters from beowulf. It tells the breathtaking story of a struggle between the hero, beowulf, and a bloodthirsty monster called grendel. Beowulf questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on beowulf. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars. This teaching guide is organized in three sections presenting suggestions to be used before beowulf is read, while it is being read, and after the reading is completed. Beowulf reading literature guide flip book by danielle.
Beowulf modern english translation by anonymous poetry. Since then, the epic poem has been estimated to have been. Beowulf is an epic poem written sometime around 900 a. Beowulf is a heroic epic poem written by an unknown author in old english, some. It is one of the most important works of old english lite rature. The poem can be seen as actual history, or as a lyrical ode to a brave king. Before the events in the poem, hrothgar paid a wergild to beowulf s father. It speaks of scandinavian kings, mythical beasts and battles, and is extremely important for being the the longest surviving epic poem in old english. It is from the time between the 8th and 11th century and belongs to the anglosaxon literature. It is possibly the oldest surviving long poem in old english and is commonly cited as one of the most important works of old english literature.
Hence, beowulf feels compelled to help hrothgar in his time of need. Beowulf is an old english epic poem written anonymously around 975 ad. Or, scientifically speaking, sieverss c type has been avoided as not consonant with the plan of translation. Cliffsnotes on beowulf covers the longest and oldest surviving anglosaxon poem, an epic tale of warriors and battles, monsters and magic, treasures, feasts, and heroic action.
It deals with events of the early 6th century and is believed to have been composed between 700 and 750. Beowulf the literary epic poem english literature essay. It is one of the most important works of old english literature. Translated from the heynesocin text by lesslie hall language. Though its authorship is unknown, the poem was written between 925 and 1025. Translation by michael alexander, first published on 1973 is very skillfully put together and admirable. Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of old english literature and the earliest european vernacular epic. Beowulf old english version by anonymous poetry foundation.
The 11th century english domesday book contains a recorded instance of the name beulf. All words not in keeping with the spirit of the poem have been avoided. Beowulf, an anglosaxon poem of epic scope, dates back to the year 850 and marks the beginning of the english literary tradition. Poems of this kind would often have been recited from memory by a court minstrel, or scop, to the accompaniment of a harp. Prose translations may work best if you have limited time, but more advanced high school students can study poetic translations, which will better.
See a complete list of the characters in beowulf and indepth analyses of beowulf. The setting of the epic is the sixth century in what is now known as denmark and southwestern sweden. For the next twelve years the fear of grendels potential fury casts a shadow over the lives of the danes. Beowulf is a piece of literature, not a historical document. Beowulf was composed by an anonymous anglosaxon poet.
Perhaps the most common question readers have is what language beowulf was written in originally. This version translated by francis barton gummere 18551919. A kingdom in peril the story begins in denmark with king hrothgar, the descendant of the great scyld sheafson and a successful ruler in his own right. Pdf beowulf read online free download read online free.
Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. English literature is said to begin with beowulf, an epic anglosaxon poem by an unknown author, thought to have been penned anywhere between the 8th and 11th centuries. Beowulf is an old english epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines. It was written in england some time between the 8th and the early 11th century. Beowulf is the longest and greatest surviving anglosaxon poem. Although originally untitled, it was later named after the scandinavian hero beowulf. Beowulf is an epic poem that is both one of the most important works in english literature, and a great adventure story. Different perspectives in his 20thcentury novel grendel, writer john gardner.
Read beowulf alongside a modern english translation. The poem closes with a glowing tribute to his bravery, his gentleness, his goodness of heart, and his generosity. It is the devout desire of this translator to hasten the day when the story of beowulf shall be as familiar to englishspeaking peoples as that of the iliad. Twisting, squirming movement or contortions of the body. Again, though many archaic words have been used, there. Read an overview of the entire poem or a line by line summary and analysis. Anonymous books, since authors names are not known, are alphabetized on the works cited page under the first word of the book title, so beowulf would be alphabetized under b. Read beowulf here, with sidebyside no fear translations into modern english. The first manuscript was written in the language of the saxons, old english, also known as anglosaxon. Set in scandinavia during the late 5th century, this epic poem follows greats hero beowulf as he does battle with several characters including grendel and a dragon. Perhaps the oldest surviving long poem in old english, beowulf is commonly seen as one of the most important works of old english literature. Beowulf is the name of the scandinavian hero and the old english epic poem. For twelve years he persecutes hrothgar and his vassals. The poem opens with a brief genealogy of the scylding dane royal dynasty, named after a mythic hero, scyld scefing, who reached the tribes shores as a castaway babe on a ship loaded with treasure.
Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the english language and the earliest piece of vernacular european literature. Minstrels called scops recited this poem to audiences in england for about three hundred years before it was first written down, only one original manuscript of the complete 3128line poem survives, but beowulf is in no danger of becoming extinct. It has had enormous impact on modernday fantasy writers and continues to be a seminal work of early english literature. Beowulf was composed in old english, probably in northumbria in northeast.
More than 3,000 lines long, beowulf relates the exploits of its eponymous hero, and his successive battles with a monster named grendel, with grendels revengeful mother, and with a dragon which was guarding a hoard of treasure. A 20thcentury example of political allegory is george orwells novel animal. An anglosaxon epic poem is considered the oldest surviving old english poem, over three thousand alliterative verses celebrating the greatdane who protected king hrothgar, conquered grendel and was ultimately defeated by a dragon. One thing that supports beowulf as a literary work is the fact that the author uses fictitious characters such as grendel, grendels mother, and the dragon. There are many translations of beowulf to choose from, including our literary touchstone classics edition. Beowulf is a heroic, epic poem written in old english of an anonymous author. Beowulf is a long narrative poem composed in old english some time in between the 8th and 11th century ad.