About this title: This text presents a faithful rendition of "Beowulf", a poem written in Old English sometime before the tenth century A.D., which describes the adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of the sixth century. The translation is combined with detailed annotations, with no reading knowledge of Old English assumed. Heaney's introduction discusses "Beowulf's" history in the canon and Heaney's translation process. "Contexts" provides a selection of material on Anglo-Saxon and early Northern culture. "Critcism" features eight essays relevant to undergraduate readers, including a discussion of the ...
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Description: Very Good. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: Good. -Good refers to Used Books only...New books will be in new condition The textbook professionals. Ships in 24 hours. (Not including weekends or holidays) Ship within continental USA only. Restocking fee may apply on returns. read more
Description: Good. 0393975800 US STUDENT EDITION. BOOK IS A VERY GOOD CONDITION. WILL SHIP WITHIN 24 HOURS WITH DELIVERY CONFORMATION AND TRACKING NUMBER. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: Good. --All NEW items are exactly as provided by the publisher. All USED items are in Good condition or better, and copies may contain store stickers, highlighting, etc from normal use by previous owner(s). One-time use supplements (e.g., access codes, tear-out flash cards, reference cards, etc) provided with new copies are NOT guaranteed. --Professional booksellers: inquiries always welcome. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 256 p. Contains: Illustrations. Norton Critical Editions. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: Later Printing
Binding: Quality Paperback
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc, New York, London
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Edition: Later Printing
Binding: Quality Paperback
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc, New York, London
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: Near Fine. 8vo. As new but for very light corner bump. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W W NORTON & CO INC
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780393975802ISBN:0393975800
Description: Winner of the Whitbread Prize, Seamus Heaney's translation "accomplishes what before now had seemed impossible: a faithful rendering that is simultaneously an original and gripping poem in its own right" (New York Times Book Review). read more
"When I bought this book I had a vague and quite naive idea of exploring old english with the use of a translated verse (very much as I did Odyssey by reading the translated into modern greek verses simultaneously with the original text). What a big joke. At least modern greek is a continuation of the old language and we still use most of the words that Homer did. Needless to say I didn't get around to accomplishing what I set out to do. What I did get out of this book was a highly satisfying and sometimes truly exciting read. I think it is all due to Mr Heaney's being a master storyteller in addition to being an outstanding poet. Espescially the part of the battle with the dragon and that of the funeral pyre and lament conjure up images that would put the film industry to shame."
"I don't know what it was about 2005, or perhaps living in Manila, that sent me on an epic-poetry jag -- but something did, and that was the year I finally read the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Beowulf, all in superb, direct, forceful translations (Fagels for the first two, Heaney for Beowulf). I re-read it about two months ago, prompted by my sense of revulsion at the ads for the film adaptation that greeted me at the bus stop every day (I think it was Angelina Jolie's high-heeled hooves that pushed me over the edge). Like Fagels's translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Heaney's translation here just sings, and the dead poem of English majors' nightmares comes alive. Beowulf's funeral is probably the place where Heaney is at his finest, but what I really loved were the many passages of Beowulf's bad-ass boasting; if there had to have been a Beowulf movie, these passages convinced me that Sam Raimi should have directed, with Bruce Campbell in the lead.
In the end, however, it's still Beowulf -- a poem whose narrative flow will seem decidedly odd to a modern reader and whose major project is in weird ways similar to Christian rock music: selling and/or reaffirming Christian faith through an unlikely genre as a means of appealing to an audience whose commitment to the faith may be a bit shallow. My rating notwithstanding, I'm not sure I actually like the poem -- but I do find it fascinating, which is more than I can say for most of what I read."
"NOTE: Goodreads thinks that the Chickering and Heaney translations are the same. This is wrong. My review is for Chickering's translation.
Chickering's translation is likely not for the average reader. He reproduces the blunt, epic style of the original in a way that is faithful to the original and even engaging. However, the original story describes a culture where stealing mead-hall benches is seen as a great feat for a king. (This text in question is describing the might of King Scyld, who takes mead-hall benches as trophies from vanquished foes. The culture of the ruling class revolved around mead halls, so losing your mead hall was like the later loss of a castle.)
This was the first dual-language translation of Beowulf in over a century, and it was enjoyable to read both versions. Looking back at the book, it's the kind of text that I would enjoy shouting aloud to a crowded room, but not necessarily one I'd recommend that others read."
"I'm reading this book because I was asked to by a columnist for our local newspaper. This story was chosen as the first in a series of stories our community is reading. Portions of the story will be highlighted at various community events. I was asked to lead one such event. My topic is vengeance. I hadn't previously read Beowulf. Since I must know the story, I went to the movie and then read this book. The movie doesn't follow the story. Some of this book is a bit confusing. It's translated from the original. The story of the story is fascinating. I am rereading for better understanding. It isn't your typical escape fiction. I'm also reading other versions of the translation."
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