Beowulf

Rating:
Summary: At Last! A Geat Hero for the Great Masses.
Review: I have spent my life reading and re-reading; teaching; interpreting, walking through even re-living, the Beowulf Epic. I can say, with confidence, that at no time has a translation captured the reality of the Poem as Heaney has done with this crown-point gem. The introduction, and dealing with the story as myth in particular, is the only part for which I have any real criticism. An educator, a true educator can enrich and inspire the tritest translation of the Epic. Examining the Epic as Myth, Song Cycle, Bardic Song have fallen by the wayside it's true, but a remnant are we who live for the study of the Ancient Epic. Working in conjunction with our Arts Faculty, we enliven the discussion with paintings, sculpture, performance art, and original musical compositions at a week-long celebration that has come to be known as "Vulffest". During this time of unbrideled revelry and serious study the Epic has been examined scrupulously, over the years, under paradigmatic variations that would make philosophers from Descartes to Royce spin like gyroscopes in their respective resting-places. (Particularly inspiring was a Lesbian Marxist-Leninist Feminist deconstruction of the poem.) Indeed I have made my work nothing less than transforming Beowulf into a curriculum in and of itself, and in doing so, put it on a par with Joyce's "Ulysses". Nearing the ending of a proud career I can say Heaney understands the Saga as I have come to understand it, examines it as I do, gives life to the word play as I love to do, and has sat, hushed in the profound silences, as I have.

Seamus Heaney should be beatified along with his hero: Warrior, King and Sage. Not since John Gardner's "Grendel" (1971), (a retelling of the epic from the monster-child's point of view: with Gardner's classic internal conflict examination), have I found such refreshing work in the field.

Through the years, I have heard Beowulf called, "The Dark Tome of Perfidious Albion"; "The scourge and bane of Senior English"; and seen students bowing toward Copenhagen, chanting, "May we be worthy to see the real in the myth; the human in the monster; the monstrous in the human; and the myth in the real!" before, during and after classes.

Heaney understands that like good prose, Epic poetry accomplishes most when more is said with less: that the writer's craft is not so much what is put down, as what's taken out. I would particularly recommend the dual-language edition, for serious students. You can see Heaney's thought process from line to line: nothing short of astounding! He understands the ebullient alliteration as only a speaker of the Old English can. It is my opinion that the only possible way Heaney could have improved on his work, would have been for him to go from town to town as a traveling bard (a blind one would be preferable) touching harp strings and singing the Epic in halls filled with Thanes, Lords and their Ladies with hearth fires warming and mead bowls overflowing. While Heaney has been noted for, "works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past," to quote the Swedish Academy in his 1995 Nobel Literature triumph, I see the examination of Heaney's "Beowulf" central to Literary Studies for generations to come. Kudos for a masterwork, and a plain good read!

Rating:
Summary: Transparent Translation
Review: Finally a translation that doesn't distract! No hyphenations. Clear. The introduction is the best I have seen to the poem and poet.

Rating:
Summary: Beowulf lite
Review: Seamus Heaney has done for Beowulf what Baz Luhrmann did for Romeo and Juliet, he has delivered up a translation for the MTV generation. That may not be a bad thing; he certainly has made the poem accessible to the modern reader. But I find the translation, while pleasant, does not soar. Consider the challenge the coast guard offers to Beowulf and his men upon their arrival in Denmark: ". . . I have to be informed about who you are and where you hail from. Outsiders from across the water, I say it again: the sooner you tell Where you came from and why, the better."

Or a bit later when Bewulf responds to Unferth's taunts"

"The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly As keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with Such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Herorot and horrors everywhere."

A little alliteration is a fine thing but is it Beowulf? I do not read old English and like many who work with the poem rely on translations with my favorite being done by Charles Kennedy. Kennedy's coast guard uses language that for me better fits the idea of epic:

"But now I must know Your birth and breeding, nor may you come In cunning stealth upon Danish soil; You distant-dwellers, you far seafarers, Hearken, and ponder words that are plain: 'Tis best you hasten to have me know Who your kindred and whence you come."

I imagine that Heaney's translation will be embraced by schools for its use of modern vernacular; but as it comes closer to colloquial speech, majesty is missing and in style the translation bears a striking similarity to J. K. Rowling and the Harry Potter book it edged out.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for the storyteller
Review: In this translation of Beowulf, the story is the star. I've read other translated editions, but gotten so bogged down in the attempts at exact translation (those tiresome hyphenations!) that I never noticed Beowulf himself. Here, we see him develop as a character: first a young hero, then a king, then a seasoned ruler with one last fight to face.

And everything means something. Heaney mentions in his introduction that he wanted every word to have weight; he's succeeded.

The introduction alone, incidentally, is worth the price of the book. Reading how Heaney sees poetry and the English language is a privilege; he's one of our best living poets. Also, though I don't read Old English, I did appreciate the bilingual edition, just for reference's sake.

I highly recommend this edition. Whether the reader is new to the poem or not, it's fresh and meaningful here.

Rating:
Summary: Renewed sense of a forgotten world
Review: Beowulf has long dazzled modern readers with the mystic world it paints with heavy strokes of action and emotion. But rising above the rest of translations that have at least enabled us to read through the story, Irish poet Seamus Heaney further extends the power of words to allow readers to reach out into the heart of this Anglo-Saxon epic. The known tale of a Geat noble begins with Beowulf's first fight against the man-eating brute Grendel whose hatred for mankind reflects the Anglo-Saxon society's call for companionship. After our hero Beowulf is decorated with praises and gold for his triumph over Grendel in the famous Heroet Hall of Denmark, he is confronted by Grendel's vindictive mother who is to fumble again at Beowulf's feet. Fifty years hence, Beowulf, now the ruler of Geats, fights his last battle against an aroused fire dragon to save his people. The sacrifice he makes with his own life captures the essence of his supreme heroism and sets him apart from the ordinary men.

As the first English speaking hero, Beowulf is suggested to be a "man alien in a hostile world, engaged in a struggle which he cannot win..." by the novelists and critic J.R.R. Tolkien. Thus, through the analysis of Heaney, readers are able to catch a refreshed sense of danger and excitement of a forgotten world between the lines of an epic whose fame has daunted students who therefore overlook the "mythic potency" of the original poetry (as suggested by Heaney himself). The bilingual edition itself offers a shortcut for readers between two worlds whose connection is established by Heaney's overpowering pen. Thanks to Heaney's masterful technique to weave the beauty of language with the phenomenon of storytelling, Beowulf's individuality is further stressed as he is to be better understood in the "hostile" world that has abused the wonders of his story with other sketchy translations.

Do recommend the poetry section before the prose. It only enhances the pleasure.

Rating:
Summary: Crafted With Care
Review: As someone who dabbles in the world of the poem Beowulf, I received Seamus Heaney's newly published translation of this old Saxon epic with some interest. The idea of a world-class poet taking on this ancient English work and possibly taking it away from the discouragingly dry scholarship that has laid siege to the poem intrigued me. Once I got my paws on Heaney's translation, I devoured it in suitable Grendel-like fashion. This review is a first impression. Mr. Heaney does not do a bad job translating Beowulf. But neither does he contribute in any significant way to the study of the poem. I found this translation a little wordy, but I also found this translation pointed out details that other translations seem to miss. Translating Beowulf is really more art than science, and so any translation is open to interpretation. In this light, Heaney's translation is worthwhile and should be read along with other translations. Serious students of Beowulf, of course, translate the poem themselves. We should admire and congratulate Heaney for his success. What we should not admire Heaney for is his "bilingual" edition. The even pages of this book present the poem in all its Anglo-Saxon glory. The text is edited and regularized. But the text is not glossed. Neither is it annotated. Nor is there any guide to the pronunciation of Old English. Who edited this Saxon version of the poem is not discussed. I many have missed something, but I cannot fathom the purpose of presenting the Old English text in this book. More importantly, I cannot fathom this text's connection with the translation that Shaper of Words Brought to Bare the Bee-wolf's Song And Told the Tale, by Tonguecraft. Buying the Book, this Bench-Warmer Read it Readily, like Grendel at Heart. Crafted with Care, the King of Geat's Saxon Song Sounds Fine. (Done in a Deli on a Dinner Mat).

Rating:
Summary: The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person.
Review: The epic poem Beowulf describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most erocious of beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others.

Beowulf is a hero in the eyes of his fellow men through his amazing physical strength. He fought in numerous battles and returned victorious from all but his last. In his argument with Unferth, Beowulf explains the reason he "lost" a simple swimming match with his youthful opponent Brecca. Not only had Beowulf been swimming for seven nights, he had also stopped to kill nine sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. Beowulf is also strong enough to kill the monster Grendel, who has been terrorizing the Danes for twelve years, with his bare hands by ripping off his arm. When Beowulf is fighting Grendel's mother, who is seeking revenge on her son's death, he is able to slay her by slashing the monster's neck with a Giant's sword that can only be lifted by a person as strong as Beowulf. When he chops off her head, he carries it from the ocean with ease, but it takes four men to

lift and carry it back to Herot mead-hall. This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's heroism.

Another heroic trait of Beowulf is his ability to put his peoples welfare before his own. Beowulf's uncle is king of the Geats so he is sent as an emissary to help rid the Danes of the evil Grendel. Beowulf risks his own life for the Danes, asking help from no one. He realizes the dangers but fears nothing for his own life. After Beowulf had served his people as King of the Geats for fifty years, he goes to battle one last time to fight a horrible dragon who is frightening all of his people. Beowulf is old and tired but he defeats the dragon in order to protect his people. Even in death he wished so secure safety for the Geats so a tall lighthouse is built in order to help the people find there way back from sea. The most heroic of traits within Beowulf is that he is not afraid to die. He always explains his death wishes before going into battle and requests to have any assets delivered to his people. "And if death does take me, send the hammered mail of my armor to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrehtel, and from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must! (18)" He is aware of the heroic paradox; he will be glorified in life or death for his actions. He knows that when he fights an enemy like Grendel or Grendel's mother he will achieve immortality as the victor or the loser. "When we crossed the sea, my comrades and I, I already knew that all my purpose was this: to win the good will of your people or die in battle, pressed in Grendel's fierce grip. Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death! (22)" Even with the enormous amount of confidence Beowulf possesses, he understands that Fate or Wyrd will work its magic no matter what and he could be killed at any point in his life. He faces that reality by showing no fear and preparing for a positive or a fatal outcome.

Beowulf is the prime example of an epic hero. His bravery and strength surpass all mortal men; loyalty and the ability to think of himself last makes him reveared by all. Beowulf came openly and wholeheartedly to help the Danes which was an unusual occurrence in a time of war and wide-spread fear. He set a noble example for all human beings relaying the necessity of brotherhood and friendship. Beowulf is most definitely an epic hero of epic proportions.

Rating:
Summary: Reawakening the sense of wonder
Review: "Beowulf" is, first and foremost, a good story clad in well-crafted language. But the distance between that language and modern English is far too great for most readers to bridge, and translators tend to opt for either the all-too-pedestrian literal or the all-too-precious literary. Heaney has created a translation that not only preserves the "feel" of the original as well as its meaning, but is also a "good read" -- it sounds utterly effortless, and that's REALLY hard to achieve (I speak from experience, having spent an entire semester of graduate school translating the original Anglo-Saxon). The poem is a compelling tale of heroism and the marvelous, and Heaney has made it fresh and exciting again.
I was especially struck by how the hero Beowulf "grows up" in the course of the poem: at the beginning he's a young man (albeit with exceptional wisdom and good sense) whose main concern is his heroic reputation; in the final episode, he's a mature, conscientious ruler who takes on the dragon out of a sense of responsibility to use his gifts for his people's benefit, even if the encounter proves fatal to him. Most translations don't convey this progression, but Heaney's language brings it out beautifully.
The introduction is admirable too -- beautifully written, with just enough historical background to clarify the poem's context without overwhelming the reader. Heaney's story of how he chose the "tone" of his translation is charming, and his discussion of the continuity between Anglo-Saxon and English dialects is fascinating: clearly, here's a man who LOVES language and wants to share his delight in it with his readers.
The book is a pleasure to handle, too, attractively printed and formatted. My only quibble is with the cover image: it's striking, but the poem alludes about a zillion times to Beowulf's "helmet," and, given the number of historical "re-enactors" around nowadays, it wouldn't have been impossible for the photographer to come up with a reasonably authentic helmet (that cheesy chain mail wouldn't have stood up to Grendel's dam, let alone a dragon!).

Rating:
Summary: The ancient epic; first work of English literature
Review: The reason I read, "Beowulf," is two-fold. A friend of mine is really into the Vikings and Norse culture and history (he mentioned it a few times and I was curious) and it was one of JRR Tolkien's favorite poems. After having read, "The Hobbit," and, "The Lord of the Rings," several times, one wonders what inspired Tolkien. If I may be permitted to speculate, the Rohirrim (Men residing in Rohan) are probably the influenced by, "Beowulf." Likewise, the idea of a single person stealing a single treasure from dragon, thus awaking him is presented here and echoed in, "The Hobbit." The setting is in Scandinavia, over a thousand years ago. I love the literature and the characters and their worldview, which is a combination of early Christianity with the warrior/honour ethic of northern Europe. It is sad that the virtues of duty and honour, so central to, "Beowulf," are often so lacking in North American culture.

The other distinctive quality of the poem is its fantastic elements. There are three mythical beasts; Grendel, Grendel's mother and a dragon. Unfortunately, this makes many people think it is merely work for children. I resent such an attitude. Beowulf is one of the great pieces of European literature and, was the first piece of English literature.

My two favorite incidents of the poem are the Father's Lament (lines 2444-2462) and the reaction of the Geat woman to Beowulf's death (lines 3143-3155). I think Heaney captured the spirit of the poem here.

Many of the reviews I have read here on Amazon debate the accuracy of the translation and recommend other versions. For those seeking a translation of the poem for academic study, this may be good advice. For personal enjoyment and enrichment, this translation is adequate.

In the Introduction, Heaney states:
"While I had no great expertise in Old English..." (xxii)
Heaney, in addition to giving useful background and context to the poem, discusses his approach to translation. He also discusses how the language of Beowulf mirrors some elements of the English spoken by his family in Ireland.

Heaney may not be a professor of Old English, but this translation is a worthy addition to one's library of great literature.

Rating:
Summary: Beowulf should be heard, not seen
Review: I have been laboriously teaching myself Anglo-Saxon in order to read the "real" Beowulf. I also have a tape of parts of Beowulf read aloud in Anglo-Saxon. It was with some trepidation that I ordered the CDS. Heaney has kept much of the masculine sound of Beowulf -- the alliteration, the beats, the broken measures. I am happy.
One criticism: there are no "tracks" so that if you begin listening in the car as I did, when you start to drive home, you're back at the beginning. I would have liked a way to return to the approximate place where I left off listening.
If you're still struggling with Anglo-Saxon, this is a great way to experience the sounds of Beowulf.