Beowulf by Anonymous (Translated by Seamus Heaney)

Beowulf by Anonymous
(Translated by Seamus Heaney)

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (2001)

256 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $8.52)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

A king of old built a treasured hall, that was to be the most celebrated and decorative hall in all the world, but enjoyment of said hall was hindered by the monster Grendel, who came night after night and slaughtered those left overnight in the hall, until the king’s fighting force was severely weakened. Beowulf, a hero from across the sea, comes to fight the monster, and the king promises to give him treasure if he is victorious.

My Thoughts:

An epic poem with lots of dark, brooding imagery. When you look at the ending, it makes you wonder if Beowulf was pleased with his treasure in the end. Did he wish he had had a family instead? A main theme that is very evident is the contrast between heroic deeds and cowardliness. The vision of his men fleeing in his hour of need is something that has stayed with me, and it made me question, if Beowulf had been a better leader would they have stayed? A good warrior, doesn’t necessarily make a good leader, someone able to persuade others to follow them. Poor Beowulf.

Edition Notes:

This ebook edition is the New Verse Translation as is stated on the cover, not the Bilingual edition (despite the erroneous parenthetical labelling on the Amazon product page). So, if you are expecting the Old English text, you will not find it here. The New Verse Translation, however is very good on its own, and if you are just looking to read Beowulf and, not necessarily use this to study it, I believe this would be a very enjoyable reading copy, despite being a bit higher priced than some other translations available in ebook format. For a reader that is unfamiliar with the story of Beowulf, this translation provides summarial statements before each section of the story to further guide the reader in understanding the text, and I found them very helpful.

Quotes:

“—a prowler through the dark—” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“All were endangered; young and old were hunted down by the dark death-shadow who lurked and swooped in the long nights on the misty moors; nobody knows where these reavers from hell roam on their errands.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“—until darkness gathered again over the world and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth under the cloud-murk.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“Grendel came greedily loping.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“—all of us with souls—must make our way to a destination already ordained where the body, after the banqueting, sleeps on its deathbed.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“So the guardian of the mound, the hoard-watcher, waited for the gloaming with fierce impatience—“-Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“It was like the misery felt by an old man who has lived to see his son’s body swing on the gallows. He begins to keen and weep for his boy, watching the raven gloat where he hangs: he can be of no help. The wisdom of age is worthless to him. Morning after morning, he wakes to remember that his child is gone; he has no interest in living on until another heir is born in the hall, now that his first-born has entered death’s dominion forever.” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)

“As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than go back home bearing arms. That is unthinkable, unless we have first slain the foe and defended the life of the prince—” -Beowulf (Seamus Heaney)