Book review: Beowulf

[olde_fashioned]

Title: Beowulf
Translated by: Seamus Heaney

Beowulf is an ancient poem, written by an unknown author in old English, which is now unreadable by modern speakers of the language. The version I read was translated by Seamus Heaney, and on the even pages the original spellings and words have been preserved, while the translation was featured on the odd pages, side by side with the original.

It would be very difficult, for me at least, to try to give a summary of this, without a) spoiling the plot for those who haven’t read it, b) wasting my time and energy, and c) confusing everyone in the process!! ;-) Therefore I shall just stick to telling what I like best about it.

Postitive Elements:

~ Let me first say, that I thought this was wonderful. It gives the reader a rare glimpse into the world and customs of the Anglo-Saxons, or if you prefer, the inhabitants of ancient Scandinavia, since the poem is about the Danes, Geats, and Shieldings, but it has been generally attributed to a Saxon author, who in my opinion, must have been a genius! ;-)

~ Beowulf, the hero, (duh!) is a wonderful man. He is strong, heroic, brave, but he is also kind, generous, and compassionate. (It actually says “he was a compassionate man.”) One of the best references of this is when someone named Unferth (a jerk who has previously insulted Beowulf, while drunk and jealous) lends him his ancestral sword right before Beowulf is going off to fight. (Unferth himself is too much of a coward to join Beowulf) Eventually the sword fails Beowulf in his moment of need, but later, after the battle, he returns the sword to its owner, Unferth, and tells him kindly how helpful it was for him, and what a wonderful weapon it was. I don’t think Beowulf had the heart to dissapoint Unferth, even though he had no reason to be kind to him.

~ Once again, the author must have been a devout Christian, for there are many excellent quotes, some of which I have put at the end of this entry.

~ This is a must-read for any Medieval enthusiasts, reenactors, or for anyone just wishing to educate themselves on the time period.

Negative Elements:

~ I had to think hard to find something wrong with this, because there really isn’t. The only think I could think of, was that it was originally written as a poem, in the Anglo-Saxon form, which is rather complicated and very different from our ideas of what a poem should sound like. Therefore, the whole poetic nature of the wording is lost in translation, but SH has done a very good job at trying to preserve it, and he comes pretty close to the Saxon structure of groups of four words/syllables, at least in my ignorant opinion!!

~ This poem is about a warrior, and warriors fight battles. Battles mean blood, and blood means ‘delicate‘ people get light-headed and puke. (haha) While this is in no way gory or even remotely stomach-turning. It didn’t bother me at all, some squeamish readers might object to certain elements, such as (consider yourself warned!!) Beowulf ripping off Grendel’s arm, or a thane being beheaded.


Excerpts and Quotes:


Lines 1057 - 1061

Past and present, God’s will prevails,
Hence, understanding is always best
and a prudent mind. Whoever remains
for long here in this earthly life
will enjoy and endure more than enough.


Wealhtheow’s blessing -- lines 1215 - 1231

Applause filled the hall.
Then Wealhtheow pronounced in the presence of the
company:
“Take delight in this torque, dear Beowulf,
wear it for luck and wear also this mail
from our people’s armory: may you prostper in them!
Be acclaimed for strength, for kindly guidance
to these two boys, and your bounty will be sure.
You have won renown: you are known to all men
Far and near, now and forever.
Your sway is wide as the wind’s home,
as the sea around cliffs. And so, my prince,
I wish you a lifetime’s luck and blessings
to enjoy this treasure. Treat my sons
with tender care, be strong and kind.
Here each comrade is true to the other,
loyal to lord, loving in spirit.
The thanes have one purpose, the people are ready:
having drunk and pledged, the ranks do as I bid.

Line 1270

…but Beowulf was mindful of his mighty strength,
the wondrous gifts God had showered on him:
He relied for help on the Lord of All,
on His care and favour.

1357 - 1361
…They dwell apart
among wolves on the hills, on windswept crags
and treacherous keshes, where cold streams
pour down the mountain and disappear
under mist and moorland.

1363
A few miles from here
a frost-stiffened wood waits and keeps watch

1379
Seek it if you dare… {speaking of the haunted mere where Grendel‘s mother lives}

1386
For every one of us, living in this world
means waiting for our end.

1399
Then a bit and halter were brought for his horse
with the plaited mane.

Hrunting 1455 - 1461
and another item lent by Unferth
at that moment of need was of no small importance:
the brehon handed him a hilted weapon,
a rare and ancient sword named Hrunting.
The iron blade with its ill-boding patterns
had been tempered in blood. It had never failed
the hand of anyone who hefted it in battle…

1491
“With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die.”

1662
…He [God] often helps the unbefriended…

Beowulf presents an ancient sword to Hrothgar, who examines it
[the sword depicts historical events, including Noah's flood!]
1690
It was engraved all over
and showed ho war first came into the world
and the flood destroyed the tribe of giants.
They suffered a terrible severance from the Lord;
the Almighty made the waters rise,
drowned them in the deluge for retribution.

Comments

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

You're right!! Figuratively, I couldn't put it down, either, but literally, I had to. ;-) I can't read all day, you know! Which translation did you read?

[ladykaty4.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can't remember! Better go right off and find out.