As Beowulf's name has entered popular culture again -- this time the result of a CGI intensive animated movie that has taken some serious (and to this purist, questionable) liberties with the ancient tale -- I thought it a good time to offer encouragement to read or even re-read this classic epic. I promise you that the translations available are excellent, and the whole narrative only takes about two hours to read -- every minute of which will be well spent.
Let's start at the top with the brilliant verse translation by Irish poet Seamus Heaney. There are currently several versions available, depending on your particular passion: Beowulf: The Bilingual Edition offers the original Old English text on one side and Heaney's translation on the other side, which is especially nice if you actually know Old English -- as one of my former students did, regaling me one afternoon with the finer points of the language and its translation.
For those who love annotated versions and pictures, try the brand new Beowulf: An Illustrated Edition (edited by John D. Niles), which features not only Heaney's superb translation, but also a large collection of photographs of artifacts, art, and ships, along with details of the historical context of Beowulf's world.
A third Heaney translation, Beowulf: A Verse Translation (edited by Daniel Donoghue), was published by Norton Critical Libraries. I love this edition too, because in addition to the text it includes excellent critical essays on Beowulf, most notably Tolkien's brilliant "Beowulf: The Monsters and The Critics," which today (some fifty years after it was written) still remains a lively and influential examination of the text. Also offered are additional source materials transcribed about the same time as Beowulf, including a wickedly good story, "Grettir the Strong and The Trollwoman," where one can hear the echoes of Beowulf's battles with Grendel and his Mother.
I would also like to add that Beowulf remains a very accessible story for younger readers as well. I received my first copy of Beowulf with spectacular pen and ink illustrations when I was nine years old and to this day I attribute much of my love for fantasy and epic myths from that first thrilling read of this heroic tale. Happily there are several terrific offerings out there:
In the picture book category, I recommend the new illustrated version by James Rumford. The art is wonderful -- conveying all the intensity of the drama and certain to capture the imagination of younger readers. Michael Morpurgo and Michael Furman have also produced a sumptuously illustrated version -- this time with rich color and celtic border designs. Gareth Hinds has produced an interesting graphic novel styled version. (The image at the top of the post is one of Hind's illustrations.) Check here to see a NYT review of all three of these titles.
And let's not forget John Gardner's Grendel, where the monster for once speaks the tale. It's a terrific first person novel from Grendel's point of view, especially when familiar with the original epic. The turn in point of view makes for a compelling read. This novel is equally appropriate for a young adult or adult reader.
And here's a cool place to stop and visit to listen to Beowulf scholar Ben Slade read of Beowulf's arrival in Denmark in the original. Actually, I highly recommend an internet visit to Slade's own website, where you will find all things Beowulf.