Beowulf: A Prose TranslationThe greatest surviving Old English poem rendered into modern prose Beowulf stands at the head of English literature; a poem of historical interest and epic scope. Although the first manuscript of Beowulf dates from around the year 1000 CE, it is thought that the poem existed in its present form from the year 850. Beowulf's adventures themselves stand in front of the wide historical canvas of 5th and 6th century Scandinavia. Against this heroic background of feuding and feasting, Beowulf first kills the monster Grendel and her mother, and later defends his people against a dragon in a battle that leaves them both mortally wounded. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
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Common terms and phrases
Aeschere Anglo-Saxon armour arms attack audience avenge banqueting hall barrow battle blade blood body brave Breca brother Cain carried century chieftain Christian corselet Danes Danish king dead death Dragon Eadgils Ecgtheow enemy Eofor famous father fell feud fight fighting-men Finn Finn's fire flame Freawaru Frisians funeral gave Geat prince Geats gifts gold golden Grendel Grendel's mother guardian Haethcyn Halga hand Healfdene heard Heardred Heathobards helmet Hengest Heorogar Heorot Herebeald Heremod hero heroic Hildeburh Hnaef hoard honour Hrethel Hrethric Hrothulf Hygd Hygelac Ingeld jewels Jutes killed king Hrothgar king's kinsmen leader lived lord monster murderous nephew night Offa Ohthere Old English Onela Ongentheow pagan Penguin Books poem poet of Beowulf poetic prose pyre queen Scyld Scyld Scefing shield Sigemund soldiers stronghold Sutton Hoo Swedes Swedish king sword throne translation treasure treasure-hoard tribe tumulus Unferth Wealhtheow weapon Weohstan Widsith Wiglaf Worm wounded Wrenn write to Penguin wulf