The Word-Hoard Beowulf: A Translation with Commentary

by Peter Ramey

Beowulf is the product of a profoundly religious imagination, but the significance of the poem's Christianity has been downplayed or denied altogether. The Word-Hoard Beowulf is the first translation and popular commentary to take seriously the religious dimension of this venerable text. While generations of students know that Beowulf represents a confluence of Christianity and paganism, this version-informed by J. R. R. Tolkien's theory of language as the repository of myth-opens the hood to track the poem's inner religious workings. It brings to light the essential Old English vocabulary, incorporating into the translation the divine titles used for God, specific names for evil and nonhuman creatures, and the precise language employed for providence and fate, along with terminology for kinship and heroism. Such features are not found in any other modern English translation, including Tolkien's, whose text was never intended for publication. The Word-Hoard Beowulf draws upon Tolkien's ideas and commentaries, however, to render a poem whose metaphysical vision takes front and center, delivering a richly restorative version of this early medieval masterpiece. The text is preceded by an introduction detailing the poem's religious motivations and cultural context, and is accompanied by an expansive commentary. In short, this version allows readers to perceive precisely how in Beowulf (as Tolkien puts it) "the new Scripture and the old tradition touched and ignited" to produce the earliest English epic.

Genres: Historical

188 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2023

Reviews

[Jakob Baumeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first interaction with Beowulf. The poem is a compelling tale of a warrior-king [Beowulf] battling three devilish monsters. Along the way the poem shows you loyalty, sacrifice, and the providence of God.

The translation itself was accessible as a non-specialist. Ramey incorporates key Old English words into the translation. This makes the text feel old (as it should) and helps the reader build their Old English vocabulary. The commentary is included as notes in the bottom of the pages—rather than in an appendix. This allows one to quickly reference the notes when reading the poem.

[Filius Mariæ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent translation worthy of praise. The footnotes add clarity and depth to the story. They are what make this book and translation so powerful. The one issue is the use of Old English words adapted into the modern English translation. It is a double edged sword it is a unique and rich way to get close to the original feel of the language and myth of Beowulf, but it can be cumbersome to flip back to the Glossary. This rekindled my love for the English language peering into its mythic roots.