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Beowulf and Other Old English Poems
Unique and beautiful, Beowulf brings to life a society of violence and honor, fierce warriors and bloody battles, deadly monsters and famous swords. Written by an unknown poet in about the eighth century, this masterpiece of Anglo-Saxton literature transforms legends, myth, history, and ancient songs into the richly colored tale of the hero Beowulf, the loathsome man-eater Grendel, his vengeful water-hag mother, and a treasure-hoarding dragon. The earliest surviving epic poem in any modern European language. Beowulf is a stirring portrait of a heroic world–somber, vast, and magnificent.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 31, 2023
I read Beowulf in high school or college and really liked it. Then I read Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf a couple of times and loved it!
It was interesting to read it in a prose version again. I prefer Heaney’s, but it was a good read as prose, also.
This book also contains other old English poems after Beowulf. Deor, Caedmon’s Hymn, The Battle of Brunanburgh, The Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, and more. It is nice to have all of these in an inexpensive volume.
It was interesting to read it in a prose version again. I prefer Heaney’s, but it was a good read as prose, also.
This book also contains other old English poems after Beowulf. Deor, Caedmon’s Hymn, The Battle of Brunanburgh, The Dream of the Rood, The Wanderer, and more. It is nice to have all of these in an inexpensive volume.
April 19, 2022
I’ll come right out and say it. Reading Beowulf and Other Old English Poems was not too exciting. The story of Beowulf is plain, a no-frills story about an Anglo hero who fights monsters. The primitive and basic nature of the writing and plot make it less than exciting.
Beowulf is a warrior of the tribal Geats, otherwise known as Goths. He travels to the kingdom of the Danes, led by their king Hrothgar. The Danes have a real problem because every night they get attacked by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf becomes a hero by going to battle against Grendel and his mother. I’m not sure where the father was in all this. Maybe the conservatives are right when they say single mothers are to blame for most of society’s problems. It appears to be true for Grendel’s family in Medieval Denmark. After Beowulf does his deeds, the Geats and the Danes form an alliance in hopes of fighting off other invading barbarian hordes.
The story isn’t any more complicated than what you would find in a vintage Marvel Conan the Barbarian comic book. That would be fine if it were well-written, at least Conan the Barbarian comics have cool-looking artwork, but the lack of description makes the whole story underwhelming. The anonymous author didn’t even describe the appearance of Grendel and his mother so visualizing what the violence looks like doesn’t yeild a strong impression Maybe if you have a potent imagination and are willing to fill in all the massive blank spaces on your own, it might work better but I think the reader deserves more.
The second half of Beowulf involves the hero climbing the ranks to king and going to battle against a dragon that guards treasure inside a mountain. Beowulf leads an army to attack the dragon but they get scared and abandon him. When one soldier sees that Beowulf is going to die, he comes to the rescue. I suppose Beowulf got promoted to his level of incompetence; the battle kills both him and the dragon.
It is difficult to discuss Beowulf without any spoilers because there is so little content to discuss. There are some sub-themes that crop up like transitions of power, never-ending warfare between tribes, and the hero as savior of his people. Morality is here also because the warriors who abandoned Beowulf during his fight with the dragon were unable to take the treasure because they didn’t earn it. Maybe meritocracy was a stronger moral concept in the Medieval society of the Geats than it is in the modern world.
The other Old English poems included in this brief collection, translated into Modern English, are a bit underwhelming too. The main themes are war and the Christian/Platonic conception of the conflict between temporal human lives and the eternity of God and Heaven. These ideas are not unique and have been written to death in so many other places that there is no reason to read about them any more. These poems are not even written with enough ornamentation to think of them as “style over substance”. Maybe they sound better in Old English. In this paperback edition, they are little more than filler.
I can’t say I would ever bother to read Beowulf again. It was a huge influence on J.R.R. Tolkien but he was a linguist before he was a novelist and this epic poem doesn’t come anywhere near the heights that he achieved in The Lord Of the Rings. It is also the type of story that Joseph Campbell loved to gush over but Camille Paglia accused him of being mawkish in Sexual Personae and I tend to agree with her. In the end, Beowulf is like a museum piece. I can understand its historical importance but when standing on its own, it doesn’t inspire much interest, especially to the mind of a contemporary reader like me.
Beowulf is a warrior of the tribal Geats, otherwise known as Goths. He travels to the kingdom of the Danes, led by their king Hrothgar. The Danes have a real problem because every night they get attacked by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf becomes a hero by going to battle against Grendel and his mother. I’m not sure where the father was in all this. Maybe the conservatives are right when they say single mothers are to blame for most of society’s problems. It appears to be true for Grendel’s family in Medieval Denmark. After Beowulf does his deeds, the Geats and the Danes form an alliance in hopes of fighting off other invading barbarian hordes.
The story isn’t any more complicated than what you would find in a vintage Marvel Conan the Barbarian comic book. That would be fine if it were well-written, at least Conan the Barbarian comics have cool-looking artwork, but the lack of description makes the whole story underwhelming. The anonymous author didn’t even describe the appearance of Grendel and his mother so visualizing what the violence looks like doesn’t yeild a strong impression Maybe if you have a potent imagination and are willing to fill in all the massive blank spaces on your own, it might work better but I think the reader deserves more.
The second half of Beowulf involves the hero climbing the ranks to king and going to battle against a dragon that guards treasure inside a mountain. Beowulf leads an army to attack the dragon but they get scared and abandon him. When one soldier sees that Beowulf is going to die, he comes to the rescue. I suppose Beowulf got promoted to his level of incompetence; the battle kills both him and the dragon.
It is difficult to discuss Beowulf without any spoilers because there is so little content to discuss. There are some sub-themes that crop up like transitions of power, never-ending warfare between tribes, and the hero as savior of his people. Morality is here also because the warriors who abandoned Beowulf during his fight with the dragon were unable to take the treasure because they didn’t earn it. Maybe meritocracy was a stronger moral concept in the Medieval society of the Geats than it is in the modern world.
The other Old English poems included in this brief collection, translated into Modern English, are a bit underwhelming too. The main themes are war and the Christian/Platonic conception of the conflict between temporal human lives and the eternity of God and Heaven. These ideas are not unique and have been written to death in so many other places that there is no reason to read about them any more. These poems are not even written with enough ornamentation to think of them as “style over substance”. Maybe they sound better in Old English. In this paperback edition, they are little more than filler.
I can’t say I would ever bother to read Beowulf again. It was a huge influence on J.R.R. Tolkien but he was a linguist before he was a novelist and this epic poem doesn’t come anywhere near the heights that he achieved in The Lord Of the Rings. It is also the type of story that Joseph Campbell loved to gush over but Camille Paglia accused him of being mawkish in Sexual Personae and I tend to agree with her. In the end, Beowulf is like a museum piece. I can understand its historical importance but when standing on its own, it doesn’t inspire much interest, especially to the mind of a contemporary reader like me.
September 4, 2018
*2.5*
to be fair, i didn't take this as an opportunity to re-read "beowulf." i much enjoyed seamus heaney's translation (Beowulf) my first time reading it and didn't feel like revisiting it. i just couldn't find another old english poetry collection to read. so, this is me giving 2.5 to the other old english poems from this book.
i think that, regardless of how much you might like this type of poetry, there is a sense of latitude too grand between us as readers to completely approach this text properly. you can appreciate from an academic stance, of course, but i don't think it easy to grasp the same sense of emotional connection you might feel with contemporary lyrics with these poems. that is not to say i didn't like them.
although some of them were a bit too high and dry for my taste ("the dream of the rood" or "judith"), a bit heavy in the religious aspect of anglo-saxon life, others were gladly to navigate around the same orbit as beowulf did. to me, old english poetry is best described as nostalgic. there is always a sadness lurking in the background, as if the end of every battle is no cause for celebration but reflection. it is one of the reasons i valued beowulf so much--in the end, it proves to be a tell of mourning and the consequences of a life based on war and honour. poems such as deor and the battle of burnanburh (as well as tennyson's translation of it) presented this type of feeling, making me remember fondly from when i was a uni sophmore reading anglo-saxon literature for the first time.
to be fair, i didn't take this as an opportunity to re-read "beowulf." i much enjoyed seamus heaney's translation (Beowulf) my first time reading it and didn't feel like revisiting it. i just couldn't find another old english poetry collection to read. so, this is me giving 2.5 to the other old english poems from this book.
i think that, regardless of how much you might like this type of poetry, there is a sense of latitude too grand between us as readers to completely approach this text properly. you can appreciate from an academic stance, of course, but i don't think it easy to grasp the same sense of emotional connection you might feel with contemporary lyrics with these poems. that is not to say i didn't like them.
although some of them were a bit too high and dry for my taste ("the dream of the rood" or "judith"), a bit heavy in the religious aspect of anglo-saxon life, others were gladly to navigate around the same orbit as beowulf did. to me, old english poetry is best described as nostalgic. there is always a sadness lurking in the background, as if the end of every battle is no cause for celebration but reflection. it is one of the reasons i valued beowulf so much--in the end, it proves to be a tell of mourning and the consequences of a life based on war and honour. poems such as deor and the battle of burnanburh (as well as tennyson's translation of it) presented this type of feeling, making me remember fondly from when i was a uni sophmore reading anglo-saxon literature for the first time.
February 7, 2021
As the stories in fiction become ever more complex, a return to works such as Beowulf reminds us that often the most memorable ideas in literature are very simple ones. Beowulf is primarily remembered for one thing only, the battle that takes place in a hall between its titular hero and a monster known as Grendel.
In saying this, I am certainly not criticising the modern taste for complexity – only pointing out that perhaps within those works the idea that is most remembered in later years might be one that is elemental and simple.
This simplicity appeals because of its universality. In the midst of a story about Scandinavian warriors comes something archetypal, a battle between good and evil, in which good prevails. The idea has been used many times, and would now seem simplistic, but there is still something attractive about a world in which right and wrong are so clear. At no point are we invited to feel sorry for Grendel, or to doubt Beowulf’s integrity.
Of course appearances are deceptive, and Beowulf is far more complex than it first appears. The bare bones of the story are certainly simple enough. Beowulf, a young warrior from Geatland, is visiting the Danish king, Hrothgar. However his visit coincides with a crisis.
A troll-like monster called Grendel is killing and devouring Hrothgar’s men. Beowulf undertakes to fight the monster and kills it with his bare hands. However celebrations are cut short when Grendel’s mother emerges for revenge and kills another senior figure in the government. Beowulf finds the creature in a lake, and dispatches with her.
In Part 2, an elderly Beowulf, now king of his people, fights a dragon that is guarding treasure in its barrow. With the assistance of one of his men, Wiglaf, Beowulf prevails, but dies from his injuries.
This seems straightforward enough, but the tale is complicated by a range of additional details between stories. Older legends are remembered, history is recalled, and moral precepts are uttered.
This is the first area that has caused controversy among scholars. Initially these extra tales were felt to be extraneous to Beowulf, stopping the story in its tracks. Now it is recognised that the stories relate to the broader history of Beowulf’s people. They serve as a reminder that while we see Beowulf and his people triumphing and flourishing, their ascendancy will soon pass, as did that of the people in the other stories related.
Academics seem divided on the deeper meaning of Beowulf, and I can hardly hope to spread any clarity here, as this is not my field. Is Beowulf an allegory, or a story with a message, or just an old-fashioned story of fighting? I would personally incline towards the second, but with the proviso that I do not really know.
Then there is the religious world of Beowulf. The story was written in the eighth or ninth or maybe even the eleventh century, depending on who you believe. Perhaps it was a story passed down orally from even longer back in time, but given modern trimmings.
It was certainly put on paper at a time when Christianity was spreading in Britain. This leads to further discussions about where Beowulf sits in its religious views. In many ways it seems obviously Christian. The work contains numerous pieties, and it is suggested that Brendel and his mother are descended from Cain.
Nonetheless the work has a strong pagan feel to it. Despite the Biblical references, there is no allusion to Christ. Indeed the morality of the story seems more like something out of an old Norse religion. Men are honoured for their fighting ability. Dying in battle is a glorious end for Beowulf, and not a tragedy.
I will not presume where to place Beowulf in such a debate, but it feels like a work straddling two traditions. The author has embraced Christianity, and yet still seems to hanker after some good old Viking conflict.
Part of the difficulty in seeking to understand Beowulf is that it was made in an age where our knowledge is scant. We are not even sure of the history of the time, let alone its writers. There is much mystery about Shakespeare’s life and opinions. Imagine how hard it is with a writer who is over a thousand years old.
Indeed we do not even know who wrote Beowulf. Sadly the efforts of this early English writer cannot be credited to him, assuming there was one writer, and not a series of oral traditions put down on paper by one person.
The Beowulf author is not the only unsung writer of the day. My collection contains a number of works by writers of the period, not one of them known by name. Who were they, what made them write their works, and what were they trying to say? Some of the works appear to be elegiac laments. Several recount battles. Other works express devout pieties.
As if it is not bad enough that we do not know who they were, some of the works are tantalisingly incomplete – fragments of a larger work. How many of those works might have compared with Beowulf if we had seen them in full context? How many Beowulfs were lost to us in their entirety?
Later writers have responded to the curiously emotional content of some of the poems. Tennyson and Ezra Pound both wrote up the poems in modern English.
Despite its emphasis on fighting and heroism rather than on individuality or character, Beowulf continues to have a certain beauty and haunting power. The other works in this volume are also intriguing if sadly enigmatic and confusing, or mostly lost.
In saying this, I am certainly not criticising the modern taste for complexity – only pointing out that perhaps within those works the idea that is most remembered in later years might be one that is elemental and simple.
This simplicity appeals because of its universality. In the midst of a story about Scandinavian warriors comes something archetypal, a battle between good and evil, in which good prevails. The idea has been used many times, and would now seem simplistic, but there is still something attractive about a world in which right and wrong are so clear. At no point are we invited to feel sorry for Grendel, or to doubt Beowulf’s integrity.
Of course appearances are deceptive, and Beowulf is far more complex than it first appears. The bare bones of the story are certainly simple enough. Beowulf, a young warrior from Geatland, is visiting the Danish king, Hrothgar. However his visit coincides with a crisis.
A troll-like monster called Grendel is killing and devouring Hrothgar’s men. Beowulf undertakes to fight the monster and kills it with his bare hands. However celebrations are cut short when Grendel’s mother emerges for revenge and kills another senior figure in the government. Beowulf finds the creature in a lake, and dispatches with her.
In Part 2, an elderly Beowulf, now king of his people, fights a dragon that is guarding treasure in its barrow. With the assistance of one of his men, Wiglaf, Beowulf prevails, but dies from his injuries.
This seems straightforward enough, but the tale is complicated by a range of additional details between stories. Older legends are remembered, history is recalled, and moral precepts are uttered.
This is the first area that has caused controversy among scholars. Initially these extra tales were felt to be extraneous to Beowulf, stopping the story in its tracks. Now it is recognised that the stories relate to the broader history of Beowulf’s people. They serve as a reminder that while we see Beowulf and his people triumphing and flourishing, their ascendancy will soon pass, as did that of the people in the other stories related.
Academics seem divided on the deeper meaning of Beowulf, and I can hardly hope to spread any clarity here, as this is not my field. Is Beowulf an allegory, or a story with a message, or just an old-fashioned story of fighting? I would personally incline towards the second, but with the proviso that I do not really know.
Then there is the religious world of Beowulf. The story was written in the eighth or ninth or maybe even the eleventh century, depending on who you believe. Perhaps it was a story passed down orally from even longer back in time, but given modern trimmings.
It was certainly put on paper at a time when Christianity was spreading in Britain. This leads to further discussions about where Beowulf sits in its religious views. In many ways it seems obviously Christian. The work contains numerous pieties, and it is suggested that Brendel and his mother are descended from Cain.
Nonetheless the work has a strong pagan feel to it. Despite the Biblical references, there is no allusion to Christ. Indeed the morality of the story seems more like something out of an old Norse religion. Men are honoured for their fighting ability. Dying in battle is a glorious end for Beowulf, and not a tragedy.
I will not presume where to place Beowulf in such a debate, but it feels like a work straddling two traditions. The author has embraced Christianity, and yet still seems to hanker after some good old Viking conflict.
Part of the difficulty in seeking to understand Beowulf is that it was made in an age where our knowledge is scant. We are not even sure of the history of the time, let alone its writers. There is much mystery about Shakespeare’s life and opinions. Imagine how hard it is with a writer who is over a thousand years old.
Indeed we do not even know who wrote Beowulf. Sadly the efforts of this early English writer cannot be credited to him, assuming there was one writer, and not a series of oral traditions put down on paper by one person.
The Beowulf author is not the only unsung writer of the day. My collection contains a number of works by writers of the period, not one of them known by name. Who were they, what made them write their works, and what were they trying to say? Some of the works appear to be elegiac laments. Several recount battles. Other works express devout pieties.
As if it is not bad enough that we do not know who they were, some of the works are tantalisingly incomplete – fragments of a larger work. How many of those works might have compared with Beowulf if we had seen them in full context? How many Beowulfs were lost to us in their entirety?
Later writers have responded to the curiously emotional content of some of the poems. Tennyson and Ezra Pound both wrote up the poems in modern English.
Despite its emphasis on fighting and heroism rather than on individuality or character, Beowulf continues to have a certain beauty and haunting power. The other works in this volume are also intriguing if sadly enigmatic and confusing, or mostly lost.
November 21, 2025
Beowulf is pretty good, not sure where the prose translation here is on the scale of how good they're supposed to be. I enjoyed it. The others afterwards were more meh, although they do feature actual historical events that might pique your interest in learning more about. I appreciated the Ezra pound cameo and I listened along to him reading the Seafarer as I read it.
April 4, 2024
While "Beowulf" offers a grippling tale of heroism and adventure, its dense lanuage and archaic storytelling may prove challenging for modern readers. The poem is rich in mythic imagery and epic battles, showcasing the bravery and valor of its titular hero. However, the complex interplay of pagan and Christian themes, along with the intricacies of Anglo-Saxon culture, may be difficult for contemporary audiences to fully appreciate.
Despite its historical significance and enduring influence on Western literature, "Beowulf" may not resonate with all readers due to its antiquated style and unfamiliar subject matter. While its themes of honor, loyalty and fate remain relevant today, the poem's distant setting and cultural context may present barries to engagement for some readers.
Beowulf makes three significant boasts throughout the epic poem. Firstly, he boasts of his prowess in battle, claiming to have defeated sea monsters and monsters of the night. This boasts establishes his reputation as a formidable warriro and sets the stage for his confrontation with Grendel. Secondly, Beowulf boasts of his intention to defeat Grendel without weapons, relying solely on his strength and courage. This boast showcases Beowulf's bravery and confidence in his abilities. Finally, Beowulf boasts of his intention to face the dragon alone, without the aid of his comrades. This boast underscores Beowulf's sense of honor and duty as a warrior and leader.
These boasts are crucial to the narrative as they reveal Beowulf's character traits and motivations. They demonstrate his bravery, strength and commitment to protecting his people. Additionally, Beowulf's boasts serve to establish his heroic status within the warrior culture of the poem, earning him respect and admiration from his peers.
"Beowulf" contains several biblical allusions, indicating the influence of Christianity on the poem despite its pagan Germanic origins. The most notable biblical allusion is the reference to Cain as the ancestor of Grendel, suggesting a connection between Grendel and the biblical figure who committed the first murder. This allusion serves to framce Grendel as a symbol of evil and sin, contrasting Beowulf's virtuous heroism.
While Christianity is present in "Beowulf" through these allusions, the characters themselves are not explicitly Christian. The poem is set in a pagan world populated by warriors who adhere to Germanic traditions and values. However, the inclusion of biblical elements reflects the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxon culture in which the poem was composed, blending pagan and Christian beliefs.
The ending of "Beowulf" is marked by Beowulf's death in battle against the dragon, fulfilling the prophecy of his tragic fate. Despite his vistory over the dragon, Beowulf succumbs to his injuries, leaving his people without a leader. The poem concludes with Beowulf's funeral, a grand ceremony honoring his heroic deeds and lamenting the loss of a great warrior.
The ending of "Beowulf" can be interpreted as a reflection on the inevitability of morality and the fleeting nature of human glory. Beowulf's death serves as a reminder of the impermanence of earthly achievements and the ultimate fate that awaits all men. However, his legacy lives on through the memories of his people and the epic poem that immortalizes his heroic exploits.
Overall, "Beowulf" offers a window into the world of medieval epic poetry and the heroic ideals of ancient warrior cultures. While its impact on the literary history cannot be overstated, its accessibility to modern audiences may be limited by its age and cultural specificity.
Despite its historical significance and enduring influence on Western literature, "Beowulf" may not resonate with all readers due to its antiquated style and unfamiliar subject matter. While its themes of honor, loyalty and fate remain relevant today, the poem's distant setting and cultural context may present barries to engagement for some readers.
Beowulf makes three significant boasts throughout the epic poem. Firstly, he boasts of his prowess in battle, claiming to have defeated sea monsters and monsters of the night. This boasts establishes his reputation as a formidable warriro and sets the stage for his confrontation with Grendel. Secondly, Beowulf boasts of his intention to defeat Grendel without weapons, relying solely on his strength and courage. This boast showcases Beowulf's bravery and confidence in his abilities. Finally, Beowulf boasts of his intention to face the dragon alone, without the aid of his comrades. This boast underscores Beowulf's sense of honor and duty as a warrior and leader.
These boasts are crucial to the narrative as they reveal Beowulf's character traits and motivations. They demonstrate his bravery, strength and commitment to protecting his people. Additionally, Beowulf's boasts serve to establish his heroic status within the warrior culture of the poem, earning him respect and admiration from his peers.
"Beowulf" contains several biblical allusions, indicating the influence of Christianity on the poem despite its pagan Germanic origins. The most notable biblical allusion is the reference to Cain as the ancestor of Grendel, suggesting a connection between Grendel and the biblical figure who committed the first murder. This allusion serves to framce Grendel as a symbol of evil and sin, contrasting Beowulf's virtuous heroism.
While Christianity is present in "Beowulf" through these allusions, the characters themselves are not explicitly Christian. The poem is set in a pagan world populated by warriors who adhere to Germanic traditions and values. However, the inclusion of biblical elements reflects the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxon culture in which the poem was composed, blending pagan and Christian beliefs.
The ending of "Beowulf" is marked by Beowulf's death in battle against the dragon, fulfilling the prophecy of his tragic fate. Despite his vistory over the dragon, Beowulf succumbs to his injuries, leaving his people without a leader. The poem concludes with Beowulf's funeral, a grand ceremony honoring his heroic deeds and lamenting the loss of a great warrior.
The ending of "Beowulf" can be interpreted as a reflection on the inevitability of morality and the fleeting nature of human glory. Beowulf's death serves as a reminder of the impermanence of earthly achievements and the ultimate fate that awaits all men. However, his legacy lives on through the memories of his people and the epic poem that immortalizes his heroic exploits.
Overall, "Beowulf" offers a window into the world of medieval epic poetry and the heroic ideals of ancient warrior cultures. While its impact on the literary history cannot be overstated, its accessibility to modern audiences may be limited by its age and cultural specificity.
December 13, 2024
Ok, this 4 star rating comes with a couple big caveats. First is the time period it was written. This is one of the early fantasy/mythological writings and deserves a lot of credit. Many other authors have built upon this and other early fantasy writings. Second, this particular edition converted the poem into a more normal prose and I think there is some lost in translation effects. The overall story narrative is great and transverses big periods of time and fights to create an epic piece. But the details are just very bogged down and kind of was a slog to get through. I found myself rushing through the end. Worth reading for the historical importance of the work but doesn't hold up to modern standards.
January 16, 2021
I hated Beowulf when portions were assigned in my 8th grade English class. The teacher would read us excerpts in Old English and I couldn’t wait for the class to be over.
I read this version around twenty five years later, and liked it better. But I don’t remember whether I bothered reading the accompanying poems.
Now, twenty five more years more have passed. During this pandemic nightmare the refrain in Deor has been a mantra of hope.
I read this version around twenty five years later, and liked it better. But I don’t remember whether I bothered reading the accompanying poems.
Now, twenty five more years more have passed. During this pandemic nightmare the refrain in Deor has been a mantra of hope.
June 17, 2021
This is a prose translation of Beowulf. The translation is clear and highly readable. Whenever reviewing stories such as this one, it's hard to know if I'm rating the work itself or the translation of the work. I really enjoyed Beowulf's epic tale, but in terms of epic narratives, it doesn't quite hold up to Homer (hence one less star). Still, an exciting and engaging tale, and I look forward to reading a verse translation in the future.
July 3, 2021
This is old English storytelling and poetry, and as such there are significant portions that are eye-bleeding dry. That said, if you want to learn the story of Beowulf, I think this prose translation is remarkable and accessible. Multiple short poems that also captivated me are included in the sample of Old English literature. Highly recommend you add this to your classics collection.
April 1, 2025
A quick, fun, prose translation of Beowulf! I honestly don’t know anything about the translator, I’m just incapable of passing up $1.50 books at Half Price Books. I enjoyed it.
Also, this reaffirmed that all I want in life is to be burned on a grand funeral pyre like a true warrior—but our heathen government insists on ‘public safety’ and ‘fire codes.’ Give me glory like the great Geat!
Also, this reaffirmed that all I want in life is to be burned on a grand funeral pyre like a true warrior—but our heathen government insists on ‘public safety’ and ‘fire codes.’ Give me glory like the great Geat!
August 17, 2020
La historia de un heroe que defiende el reino del rey del
Heroth al dar muerte al monstruo Grendel. Narra tambien el ascenso al poder del mismo, además de la venganza de la madre de Grendel y los funerales de Beowulf.
Heroth al dar muerte al monstruo Grendel. Narra tambien el ascenso al poder del mismo, además de la venganza de la madre de Grendel y los funerales de Beowulf.
June 9, 2021
I originally read a poetry translation of Beowulf for a literature class, and it was my favourite epic of the semester, but so much was lost in this prose translation. Very difficult to follow. I did enjoy “Deor” and “Judith”.
December 10, 2024
“She’d brooded on her loss, misery had brewed in her heart, that female horror, Grendel’s Mother, living in the murky cold lake assigned her since Cain had killed his only brother, slain his father’s son with an angry sword.”
February 13, 2024
Charming old stuff. Read half of this collection a couple of years ago, finished the rest tonight. A lot more appreciation for this kind of stuff after reading LOTR.
May 24, 2024
Long poem with notes. Certain passages fantastic others difficult. 3/5
February 23, 2010
Beowulf is interesting to me on several levels -- none of which happen to be about its quality as a piece of literature. First of all, there is the context of Beowulf; Beowulf was an oral epic before it was ever written, much like the early Greek stories, which meant it was based by word of mouth and for entertainment purposes. Keeping in mind that this was a story told again and again to entertain and please the people I don't think that many of the meanings attributed to it are very well founded.
This is a culture of vikings; hardcore, battle-loving, crazy bastards. The fact of the matter is that this was created in the vein of the audience and the time. What would these people want to hear about? They want to hear about the baddest of the badasses. They want to hear about a guy so confident and crazy that he would take off his weapons and armor to fight a monster because the monster doesn't respect them, then, AND THEN, he rips the damn things arm off. Yeah, this was like the Die Hard of the Danes. So, as a historical document, I find it fascinating, but what else is there to it? Really, I don't feel that this contributes anything to what literature is. The idea of writing as an art form, as a connection to other human beings or a way to convey one image to another, wasn't really developed for hundreds and hundreds of years; what Beowulf is has nothing to do with that. In a history of literature I find it fascinating, but what does it say about prose, diction, setting, tone? It says they were probably changed by the speaker, because it was an oral epic. Moby Dick did something to change the way I read and think of books, this did nothing in the literary sense - Beowulf is history.
Now outside of the fact that I think teachers and professors try and turn Beowulf into something it is not, let's talk about who turned it into something it was not - the Christians. The time of Beowulf was very, very early, before Christianity had come to dominate all of Europe, and it was only much later that Christian monks (because who the hell else knew how to write?) copied down this story. The thing was, the only people who could read and write were affiliated with the church, and the church only wrote things with a religious context, and by religious I mean their religion. So what were they to do with this story that would perish if it wasn't written down? They Christianized it. The ideas and values of the Nordic and Danish people were not akin to those of Christians, not at the time of Beowulf anyway. It is a story that values valor, bravery, and strength - not things on the top of the priority list for Christianity. Notice that the mentions and elements of Christianity in the text seem entirely out of place, almost in opposition to the rest of the story. I can only wonder at what the original story was like without the reinterpretation. So, again, I find Beowulf interesting in respect to what could be written at the time and in what context, but I don't find it fascinating or informative to my literary senses.
Beowulf's history (and the people that fight about it) are far more interesting than the stories. He just beats up some monsters and follows viking traditions like funeral pyres. I guess that is interesting, but you could just read about the people who originally invented the story and it would be about as interesting.
This is a culture of vikings; hardcore, battle-loving, crazy bastards. The fact of the matter is that this was created in the vein of the audience and the time. What would these people want to hear about? They want to hear about the baddest of the badasses. They want to hear about a guy so confident and crazy that he would take off his weapons and armor to fight a monster because the monster doesn't respect them, then, AND THEN, he rips the damn things arm off. Yeah, this was like the Die Hard of the Danes. So, as a historical document, I find it fascinating, but what else is there to it? Really, I don't feel that this contributes anything to what literature is. The idea of writing as an art form, as a connection to other human beings or a way to convey one image to another, wasn't really developed for hundreds and hundreds of years; what Beowulf is has nothing to do with that. In a history of literature I find it fascinating, but what does it say about prose, diction, setting, tone? It says they were probably changed by the speaker, because it was an oral epic. Moby Dick did something to change the way I read and think of books, this did nothing in the literary sense - Beowulf is history.
Now outside of the fact that I think teachers and professors try and turn Beowulf into something it is not, let's talk about who turned it into something it was not - the Christians. The time of Beowulf was very, very early, before Christianity had come to dominate all of Europe, and it was only much later that Christian monks (because who the hell else knew how to write?) copied down this story. The thing was, the only people who could read and write were affiliated with the church, and the church only wrote things with a religious context, and by religious I mean their religion. So what were they to do with this story that would perish if it wasn't written down? They Christianized it. The ideas and values of the Nordic and Danish people were not akin to those of Christians, not at the time of Beowulf anyway. It is a story that values valor, bravery, and strength - not things on the top of the priority list for Christianity. Notice that the mentions and elements of Christianity in the text seem entirely out of place, almost in opposition to the rest of the story. I can only wonder at what the original story was like without the reinterpretation. So, again, I find Beowulf interesting in respect to what could be written at the time and in what context, but I don't find it fascinating or informative to my literary senses.
Beowulf's history (and the people that fight about it) are far more interesting than the stories. He just beats up some monsters and follows viking traditions like funeral pyres. I guess that is interesting, but you could just read about the people who originally invented the story and it would be about as interesting.
September 12, 2016
I have a confession: I never read Beowulf in high school. Or college. I read Canterbury Tales more times than I can count (yet only remember a handful of the stories). I read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ad nauseum - and I like that story. But no Beowulf. How did I miss it?
I’ll tell you how, we tried to cram so much into such a short amount of time. We spent hours and hours in school, but spent very little time actually studying. Somewhere along the way, Beowulf was lost to me. I’m not sure if I was ever really exposed to it or not. It might have been something I breezed through in a Norton Anthology and regurgitated the next day for a pop quiz, only to be quickly forgotten. I couldn’t tell you. I only know that I had a vague idea that it was an epic poem involving something named Grendel when I began working at a bookstore as an adult. Even then, I couldn’t tell you if Grendel was the monster or the man.
As we began our Middle Ages/ Early Ren. (450 AD to 1600 AD) year while classically homeschooling, it dawned on me that this was the year for Beowulf. I had already read the picture book by Eric A. Kimmel to kiddo when she was a wee one, but I’m sure she was so tiny she had fallen asleep; now was the time to embrace the story.
And we did. I read her the picture book shortly before my trip to Atlanta. It fit right in with all the Celtic and Norse mythology we’ve been reading to bridge the gap between the ancient times and our exciting year ahead. She loved the story. I have to admit, I did too.
I liked it even more when I discovered there was a cartoon made in 1998 starring Joseph Fiennes as the voice of Beowulf - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKjco.... We got to watch that and call it school. It was a lot of fun. (There’s one for Don Quixote we’ll be watching next year when we make it into the 1700s.)
Naturally, I was curious as to the accuracy of these versions. I won’t ever truly know, because everything is a translation, but I thought I’d give an adult version a go. There’s so many versions out there, I think I’ll just try a different one every Middle Ages cycle. So I took the Constance B. Hieatt version with me to Atlanta and enjoyed it immensely, especially the little extras at the end.
The kiddo, of course, keeps asking me why we are using “fake stories as lesson books, they aren’t real stories mother!” I keep telling her, very ineloquently, that these stories help us understand the people who told them. Read them to her as bedtime stories and naturally she’s thrilled at the excitement of them.
We’ll collect more versions over the years and by the time she is grown she will know the story well - and remember it. Next go around we’ll even tackle it in poem form, and eventually we’ll read Gardner’s Grendel.
Do you have any favorite versions of Beowulf? Or, more importantly, do you know any great stories of the time period that should not be missed?
I’ll tell you how, we tried to cram so much into such a short amount of time. We spent hours and hours in school, but spent very little time actually studying. Somewhere along the way, Beowulf was lost to me. I’m not sure if I was ever really exposed to it or not. It might have been something I breezed through in a Norton Anthology and regurgitated the next day for a pop quiz, only to be quickly forgotten. I couldn’t tell you. I only know that I had a vague idea that it was an epic poem involving something named Grendel when I began working at a bookstore as an adult. Even then, I couldn’t tell you if Grendel was the monster or the man.
As we began our Middle Ages/ Early Ren. (450 AD to 1600 AD) year while classically homeschooling, it dawned on me that this was the year for Beowulf. I had already read the picture book by Eric A. Kimmel to kiddo when she was a wee one, but I’m sure she was so tiny she had fallen asleep; now was the time to embrace the story.
And we did. I read her the picture book shortly before my trip to Atlanta. It fit right in with all the Celtic and Norse mythology we’ve been reading to bridge the gap between the ancient times and our exciting year ahead. She loved the story. I have to admit, I did too.
I liked it even more when I discovered there was a cartoon made in 1998 starring Joseph Fiennes as the voice of Beowulf - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKjco.... We got to watch that and call it school. It was a lot of fun. (There’s one for Don Quixote we’ll be watching next year when we make it into the 1700s.)
Naturally, I was curious as to the accuracy of these versions. I won’t ever truly know, because everything is a translation, but I thought I’d give an adult version a go. There’s so many versions out there, I think I’ll just try a different one every Middle Ages cycle. So I took the Constance B. Hieatt version with me to Atlanta and enjoyed it immensely, especially the little extras at the end.
The kiddo, of course, keeps asking me why we are using “fake stories as lesson books, they aren’t real stories mother!” I keep telling her, very ineloquently, that these stories help us understand the people who told them. Read them to her as bedtime stories and naturally she’s thrilled at the excitement of them.
We’ll collect more versions over the years and by the time she is grown she will know the story well - and remember it. Next go around we’ll even tackle it in poem form, and eventually we’ll read Gardner’s Grendel.
Do you have any favorite versions of Beowulf? Or, more importantly, do you know any great stories of the time period that should not be missed?
May 23, 2016
Beowulf is a courageous man who was set to do good in the world and rid it of evils, such as the monster Grendal, and a mighty dragon. I thought this book was pretty good, I like old stories and all that stuff, this by far is one of my favorite. I enjoyed the Old English that it was written in, it made the book a little more challenging to read, which made me enjoy it even more! I only wish his story was longer, like say Percy Jackson's (however his is a different one) even though his main stories end he still continues and is mentioned in other ones, or appears in others, I would personally enjoy learning more about this ancient hero Beowulf.
January 21, 2018
Constance B. Hieatt’s Beowulf and Other Old English Poems shows its age. But, the quality of Hieatt’s translations makes it mostly timeless. All of her translations are in prose, yet this is hardly noticeable since her translations accurately represent the density of the originals. Hieatt’s Beowulf, for example, runs for only 78, compared to Seamus Heaney's 211 pages, but it is just as packed with effective litotes, kennings, and yes, alliteration.
This translation is definitely worth a read if you're looking for a version of Beowulf (or many other works of Old English literature) in an accessible mid-twentieth century version.
This translation is definitely worth a read if you're looking for a version of Beowulf (or many other works of Old English literature) in an accessible mid-twentieth century version.
February 7, 2015
The story is, of course, consonant with many things I hold dear. However, the choice to phrase the work in terms of prose, instead of a lyrical form, is strange to me, I must admit. That said, it was not without beautiful writing and translation, and the inclusion of other Old English poems (especially Pound's Seafarer, and The Wanderer) was a delightful addition to the Beowulf, as it helped give an idea of what the greater themes, concepts, and values of this age were-- and the picture these things paint is deeply moving.
July 6, 2016
I read a different translation of this, but this is the one I am adding. Sue me.
I also apparently picked the absolute worst translation in existence. It was *very* difficult to read for no good reason, and I read it aloud for comprehension, which took significantly longer than I expected it to -- there was a definite 'what have I gotten myself into' involved. I found it vaguely ironic that my very favorite bit was the part where Grendel was creeping up on the alehouse. Yep, rooting for the villain.
Anyway. Glad I read it, even if I hated myself for doing so.
I also apparently picked the absolute worst translation in existence. It was *very* difficult to read for no good reason, and I read it aloud for comprehension, which took significantly longer than I expected it to -- there was a definite 'what have I gotten myself into' involved. I found it vaguely ironic that my very favorite bit was the part where Grendel was creeping up on the alehouse. Yep, rooting for the villain.
Anyway. Glad I read it, even if I hated myself for doing so.
March 30, 2014
Beowulf and Other Old English Poems. Bantam Revised Classic edition 2nd printing, 1968.
Theme: Adventure Greek mythology Classic
Review: I think this is a difficult read especially for a middle school early high school. It tends to go back and forth between stories without a solid story. Multiple stories but I like the one we read in HS much better. One story is enough to concentrate on.
Theme: Adventure Greek mythology Classic
Review: I think this is a difficult read especially for a middle school early high school. It tends to go back and forth between stories without a solid story. Multiple stories but I like the one we read in HS much better. One story is enough to concentrate on.
August 26, 2015
I read this because of Sir JRR Tolkien. Beowulf inspired him to write The Hobbit and I found similarities between the two epic stories. Beowulf encountered fire-breathing dragon (who is the keeper of gold and treasures) became the most obvious part where it inspired Tolkien to create the dragon Smaug.
May 29, 2007
If you read Beowulf in high school and wished you could understand it better, then Constance Hieatt's prose translation is for you...
Read my full review of this book as originally published on ARWZ by visiting the link below:
[http://www.arwz.com/zinereviewSKS2.php]
Read my full review of this book as originally published on ARWZ by visiting the link below:
[http://www.arwz.com/zinereviewSKS2.php]
Want to read
February 15, 2010Beowulf is a classic and I am planning on reading this when I finish a few of the other books I am reading. My sister read this book when she was in high school and we also spoke about it in class. Since I have the book in my house I don't see any reason for me not to read it
December 18, 2011
I read this for school as my classic, and I found it very confusing. The book would jump around, and the author made up a word. It jumped around in people in the book. There was no solid main character(s). Once again I found it extremly confusing.
January 9, 2016
Beowulf is of course a good read but the later poems that are heavily Christian are a bit boring to me. The Battle of Maldon felt like lots of genealogy and underlings exhorting on behalf of their dead lords.
October 31, 2011
Important historically, but not a very fun read. I put it aside about 5 times before finally finishing it six years later.
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