BeowulfOne of the most universally studied of the English classics, Beowulf is considered the finest heroic poem in Old English. Written ten centuries ago, it celebrates the character and exploits of Beowulf, a young nobleman of the Geats, a people of southern Sweden. Beowulf first rescues the royal house of Denmark from two marauding monsters, then returns to rule his people for 50 years, ultimately losing his life in a battle to defend the Geats from a dragon's rampage. The poem combines mythical elements, Christian and pagan sensibilities, and actual historical figures and events in a narrative that ranges from vivid descriptions of fierce fighting and detailed portrayals of court life to earnest considerations of social and moral dilemmas. Originally written in Old English verse, it is presented here in an authoritative prose translation by R. K. Gordon. |
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Common terms and phrases
adorned Æschere avenged bade barrow battle behold Beowulf spoke bestowed blade blood bold bore brave Breca bright brought chieftain children of men comrades corslet creature Danes deadly dear death dragon dread dwelling Eanmund earth Ecgtheow Eofor erstwhile evil fame famous prince fate fell feud fight flame flood Freawaru Frisians gave Geats giver of treasure gleaming gold gracious Grendel Grendel's mother guarded guardian hall hand headland Healfdene heard Heardred heart helmet Hengest Heorogar Heorot Heoroweard heroes Hnæf hoard honour hostile Hrethel Hrothgar Hrunting Hygd Hygelac kinsman land lord loved malice mead-bench mighty mind monster night noble Onela Ongentheow onslaught pass POEMS precious protector of earls quickly rings ruler Scyldings Scylfings seek shield ship slayer slew sorrow spear Straightway strength surge sword thane thee thence thou hast troop Unferth valiant victorious Wægmundings war-gear warlike warriors waves Wealtheow weapons Weders Weohstan Wiglaf wise words wounds