Beowulf

One of the most universally studied of the English classics, Beowulf is considered the finest heroic poem in Old English. Written ten centuries ago, it celebrates the character and exploits of Beowulf, a young nobleman of the Geats, a people of southern Sweden. Beowulf first rescues the royal house of Denmark from two marauding monsters, then returns to rule his people for 50 years, ultimately losing his life in a battle to defend the Geats from a dragon's rampage. The poem combines mythical elements, Christian and pagan sensibilities, and actual historical figures and events in a narrative that ranges from vivid descriptions of fierce fighting and detailed portrayals of court life to earnest considerations of social and moral dilemmas. Originally written in Old English verse, it is presented here in an authoritative prose translation by R. K. Gordon. *Reprint from Anglo-Saxon Poetry, J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London, 1926.*

Year

1992

Language

English

Series

Dover Thrift Editions: Literary Collections

Publisher

Dover Publications

Editions

1

Pages

64

ISBN

9780486272641

Data source: Wikidata