An Old English heroic poem, said to have been written between the 8th and 11th centuries. Set in Scandinavia during the late 5th century, this epic poem follows Greats hero Beowulf as he does battle with several characters including Grendel and a dragon.

This version translated by Francis Barton Gummere (1855-1919).

In this book, Beowulf is the hero of the epic. He is the prince of Skingrad, and he slays great beasts with his bare hands, and receives grand rewards for it. But one day, he runs into a troll-like beast, and slays him. He chops off the head and brings it to the palace, and a grand party is held. The trolls' mother however learns of her son's death and runs towards the castle and slaughters the guards outside. Beowulf attempts to kill her, but she is stronger than any beast he has ever encountered. Will he kill her, or will she kill him and get her revenge?--Submitted by Parkour

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Recent Forum Posts on Beowulf

Beowulf in Class Wasn't sure whether to put this question here or in the education-related sections. But I have some questions regarding peoples' classroom experiences with Beowulf. When, if ever, did you read Beowulf? Did you read it in translation or in OE or both? Sort of related to question two, in what way did you read or discuss Beowulf -- as language/poetry or as history/culture? And finally, a more personal/emotional response. Did you like reading it? If it's been a while since you last read it, are you glad that you read it? Why? I'm asking because I'm putting together an Introduction to Literature course, early college/university level, and am thinking of using Beowulf (Heaney translation) to broadly address the poetry aspect of the course. And then use Gardner's novel Grendel to help illustrate literature as a "conversation of arts" . . .so to speak. Oh, and I never read Beowulf in school. Ever. What a shame. Posted By The Comedian at Mon 7 Feb 2011, 6:36 PM in Beowulf || 6 Replies

beowulf Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and excited to chat and learn from everyone. I'm especially hoping to learn a little about Beowulf...I'll be teaching British Literature in the fall and I'm not sure which translation would be best suited for 11th graders...any suggestions? Thanks! Posted By gilligan at Wed 13 May 2009, 1:22 AM in Beowulf || 0 Replies

need some help guys alrite. I need to write an essay about isolation and alienation in beowulf. i need some serious help cause i can't even figure out who was isolated. Can you guys help me and give me some ideas? much thanks Posted By alylakhani at Sat 13 Dec 2008, 11:24 PM in Beowulf || 4 Replies

Help with an essay - Lines 1517-1555 Please! Hi everyone! Just looking for some help, I have to write only a 500 word essay on the internal structure, external connections, larger significance, also any intrinsic literary properties of this passage. Lines 1517-1555 It was then that he saw the size of this water-hag, .. as soon as the Geat regained his feet (pp.55-57 - Penguin) or (p.50-52, Oxford world's classics edition.) Any help would be really greatly appreciated! Posted By V07teh at Tue 25 Mar 2008, 2:49 AM in Beowulf || 0 Replies

Has anyone read Beowulf? Has anyone read Beowulf recently? I need to write some diary entries, where I have to in character of Beowulf, but I want to be sure it sounds like him. If someone replies to see it then I'll post it. Posted By Twisted_Fate at Wed 26 Dec 2007, 4:51 AM in Beowulf || 2 Replies

Beowulf - I need your help! Hey Everyone, I have an assignment for an English Literature class. I must write 6 pages regarding the clothing & weapons people used, all based off of only Beowulf. Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers? Or know of some lines in Beowulf that might be particularly helpful? I read the whole poem, but this does not come naturally to me, and I'm having a lot of trouble getting 6 pages out of this. Please help! Posted By highamperage at Wed 14 Nov 2007, 2:37 AM in Beowulf || 1 Reply

Additional Questions Hello everyone, I have a few questions about Beowulf. I look forward to your interpretation and your replies! 1. I find the parent-child relationship between Grendel's mother and Grendel strange. Why does Grendel attack the Danes by himself? Does his mother just lie around in the cave, accepting the fact that his son and she are outcasts; there is nothing they can do about it? 2. Why did the Anglo-Saxons/early Scandinavians believe so strongly in fate? 3. The kenning Beowulf can denote bear. If so, why would the protagonist of the epic poem be a bear? Was it a revered animal in Anglo-Saxon culture? 4. Why would young Wealtheow give herself up to be old Hrothgar's wife? Was she coerced to do so? Or did she do so to get Hrothgar's property and riches? Posted By vertciel at Mon 5 Nov 2007, 1:37 AM in Beowulf || 0 Replies

The Fight at Finnsburg story in Beowulf The fight at Finnsburg is a story within a story here's the middle of the Finnsburg story Wīg ealle fornam Finnes þegnas, nemne fēaum ānum, þæt hē ne mehte on þæm meðel-stede wig Hengeste with gefeohtan, nē þā wēa-lāfe wige forþringan, þēodnes ðegnē; þac hig him geþingo budon, þæt hīe him ōðer flet eal gerymdon, healle ond hēah-setl, þæt hīe healfre geweald wið Eotena bearn āgan mōston, ond æt feoh-gyftum, Folc-waldan sunu dōgra gehwylce Dene weorþode, Hengestes hēap hringgum wenede efne swā swīðe, Rendering Battle swept Finn's retainers near all away, but only few was he able, to muster for a final-fight, with Hengeste the prince's retainer, nor were those wounded brought out, so to him he offered truce, to entirely clear out another house, for hall and throne, and there allowed Hengeste's men to once more, in treasure-giving share half with the sons of Jute. Thus, the Folk-warden’s son honored the Danes each day, just the same as Hengeste's troops were ring-treated, and this the end Battle swept Finn's retainers near all away, but only few was he able, to muster for a final-fight, with Hengeste the prince's retainer, nor were those wounded brought out, so to him he offered truce, to entirely clear out another house, for hall and throne, and there allowed Hengeste's men to once more, in treasure-giving share half with the sons of Jute. Thus, the Folk-warden’s son honored the Danes each day, just the same as Hengeste's troops were ring-treated, and this the end Here-scyldinga betst beado-rinca wæs on bæl gearu. æt þæm ade wæs eþgesyne swat-fah syrce, swyn ealgylden, eofer irenheard, æþeling manig wundum awyrded; sume on wæle crungon. Het ða Hildeburh æt Hnæfes ade hire selfre sunu sweoloðe befæstan, ban-fatu bærnan ond on bæl don eame on eaxle. Ides gnornode, geomrode giddum. Guðrinc astah; wand to wolcnum wæl-fyra mæst, hlynode for hlawe; hafelan multon, ben-geato burston, ðonne blod ætspranc, lað-bite lices. Lig ealle forswealg, gæsta gifrost, þara ðe þær guð fornam bega folces; wæs hira blæd scacen. Rendering Armed-Scyld's best warriors made ready for the fire. As ready seen on the pyre, bloodstained-battle-shirts, all golden swine, these iron-hard boars, that many wounds took away; these great ones, noblemen felled duly-slain. By order of Hildeburh on Hnæfe's pyre her son she commited to the blaze, at his uncle's shoulder a body laid to be devoured by fire's-flame. This Lady mourns, with dirge laments, these warriors rise: then curl to the clouds as the great funeral fire, roars over the wooden heap; heads melt, wounds bust on, then blood springs forth from this loathsome bite. Fire consumed all, with spirit most eager, both kin that war swept-away; and now her good-fortune must thus depart. Posted By joseph s crary at Tue 2 Oct 2007, 10:57 PM in Beowulf || 0 Replies

Its a poem right Beowulf the þeom Hear you all, of our warriors, as in former-days, the country’s nobles, heard deeds, of how brave men, earned our praise. It’s often said Scyld of Scef, from enemy troops, of many nations, snatched away their mead-benches, and scattered earls. Yet when first weaned, he was found friendless, to garner and prepare, waxing under cloudy-skies, to grow upright-minded, until to him all tribes, over the whale-roads, did submit with tribute paid; due this great-kingship. Thereafter to him a child was given, whom when young at court, was seen as god sent to favor folk: for he felt fearful-woe that in those days they went without a leader too long awhile. He that Frea made wonder-ruler, gave earthly-honor; Beowulf was his name and wide-spread his fame, this offspring of Scyld, throughout the southern lands. Thus as young men must he did good deeds, gave rich flawless gifts to his father's troupe, that when he came of age thereafter they remained as willing-friends; and when war came, they served the people as lofty-fame demands, among each clan and prospered man. When this Scyld passed at the proper time, he was well resolved to go in Frea's way. So his closest clansmen bore him to the briny froth, as he in-person bid, this wonder-ruler and friend of Scylds, beloved land-giver forever long-remembered. Posted By joseph s crary at Mon 1 Oct 2007, 11:41 PM in Beowulf || 6 Replies