BeowulfThis prose translation of the ninth-century epic poem, considered the first great work of English literature, was originally intended for nonnative speakers of English with the intention of reducing difficulties present in the Old English style. |
Common terms and phrases
aged alliteration ancient Anglo-Saxon armor arms attacked avenge band barrow battle beloved Beowulf bestowed blood boast body bold bore brave brought carried courage culture Danes Danish dark deadly death deeds dragon Ecgtheow enemy English epic evil Fate father fearful feast feud fierce fight fire flames follow force gave Geats give glorious glory gold Grendel Grendel's mother guardian hand head Healfdene heart heaven held Heorot hero heroic hoard honor Hrothgar Hygelac Kent king kinsmen known land lived lord mead hall mighty monster Never night noble once poem prince protect protector Queen rest retainers reward ruled Scyldings seek seen seized shield ship shirt slain society sons sorrow sought spirit spoils spoke strength strong sword thanes thought took translation treasure treasure hoard turned warriors waves weapons wide wise wound young