BEOWULF - A VERSE TRANSLATION

Winner of the Whitbread Prize, Seamus Heaney's poetic translation of the great epic poem 'Beowulf' is the basis for this new Norton Critical Edition. The text is accompanied by detailed explanatory annotations and an introduction to Old English language and prosody. In addition, Heaney's clear and insightful introduction to Beowulf provides students with an understanding of both the poem's history in the canon and Heaney's own translation process. A rich selection of materials on Anglo-Saxon and early northern civilization provides undergraduate readers with Beowulfs cultural and historic context. Included are relevant excerpts from Genesis, The Exeter Book, the Icelandic saga "Grettir the Strong and the Trollwoman," and the Old English "Frisian Slaughter." Also here are excerpts from works by Alcuin, Gregory of Tours, and William of Malmesbury. An extensive collection of illustrations -- thirty-six in all -- along with genealogies and a list of kingdom and tribal names, is included. In addition, Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Robinson write on the Beowulf manuscript, and R. D. Fulk and Joseph Harris discuss Beowulf's name.

Critical interpretations are offered by J. R. R. Tolkien, John Leyerle, Jane Chance, Roberta Frank, Fred C. Robinson, Thomas D. Hill, Leslie Webster, and Daniel Donoghue. These essays have been chosen for their relevance to undergraduate readers. Donoghue's essay includes a full discussion of Heaney's engagement with the Beowulfian conventions throughout his poetic career.

A Glossary of Personal Names and a Selected Bibliography, including the Web address for Heaney's reading of six hundred lines from his translation on BBC audio, are also provided.