Beowulf in Reading the Classics

Mar 25, 2025 Henry Avila rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The Vikings fierce, brutal, maniacal warriors from the long ago, distant, misty past this Old English epic poem the first in the language. A fable about a man Beowulf fighting fire-breathing dragons set in the fifth century Denmark, Sweden and the North Sea. The epic written in Anglo-Saxon Britain (that tribe newly arrived), around the year A.D. 1,000 but composed centuries before. Michael Alexander translates in verse and does a good job so modern readers can and will enjoy the story. Grendel t The Vikings fierce, brutal, maniacal warriors from the long ago, distant, misty past this Old English epic poem the first in the language. A fable about a man Beowulf fighting fire-breathing dragons set in the fifth century Denmark, Sweden and the North Sea. The epic written in Anglo-Saxon Britain (that tribe newly arrived), around the year A.D. 1,000 but composed centuries before. Michael Alexander translates in verse and does a good job so modern readers can and will enjoy the story. Grendel the terrible enemy, a relentless dragon of the Geats (Goths), a Germanic people living in Gotland, southern Sweden killing and pillaging the rather unfortunates . Still these vicious sea raiders of the innocent themselves are hopeless against the huge serpent. Heroic Beowulf travels to Denmark by ship and presents his services to Dane King Heorot, they too received unwanted merciless attacks by Grendel...Taking his warrior friends by boat on a voyage to find in the sea a swamp, the strange environment there for sure, the fierce struggle in the bloody water, however the beast is in the ...

monster's home , the gold and jewels Grendel hoards is tempting. Now the seemingly ordinary tale of good versus evil in a complex poem may to the modern reader, be just a primitive story, historical indeed but why consume it? For the simple reason ancient audiences listening to the saga knew of course there never existed these flying creatures,
dragons , the fire breathing monsters, yet the importance of the poem is very apparent and the few who could read this not only enjoyed but felt in their hearts the importance, another 1,000 years later those who perceive will agree. For there are more than one serpent and the mystical monsters are in place of actual problems good and evil for people to decide which side they are on. The choice is for every human individual, however a parable is so much better a way for everyone to understand. Like the Bible stories these go down quicker than ordinary sagas and people enjoy the challenge and thinking they are smart if comprehend. So the Beowulf poem isn't for the timid but the curious those that search around the corner, climb the mountain, sail the open, mysterious sea never looking back, always forward, the future remains cloudy but the Sun will come out and shine for the brave. ...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Hayley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

'Beowulf' is a classic mystical legend, filled to the brim with heroism, action, and triumph. The language and rhythm of this epic poem are beautiful: of a kind that we do not get to experience in modern literature. I would recommend that everyone read it, unabridged, at least once in their lives. Trust me, it's worth it. ...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Susan rated it really liked it

It's not that hard to read--the adjectives follow the noun and the adverbs follow the verb and the adjectives have adjectives and the adverbs have adverbs and thus the sentences are like a tossed salad--easy peasy except for the wordeth never before seeneth lest they most aged be understoodeth. Half way through you'll be reading it to the manner born. ...more

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