Beowulf: Revised EditionMichael Swanton Beowulf is to English what the Odyssey and Iliad are to Greek literature ? the oldest example of vernacular literature of any substance not only in England but in the whole of western Europe. Since its rediscovery and the appearance of the first printed editions in the middle of the last century, this moving and dramatic epic has attracted considerable scholarly attention, and Dr Swanton is able to draw on this wealth of scholarship to present a considered and balanced introduction to the poem. Explanatory notes, drawing on archaeological sources, expand the poet’s more esoteric allusions and offer background information on contemporary manners and customs. A prose translation faces the text, which should be invaluable to both students and the general reader. |
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Common terms and phrases
æfter ænig allusion Anglo-Saxon bær battle bearn beneath Beowulf comitatus cwom cyning dær Danes Danish death deeds dragon Eadgils eald eall Eanmund Ecgtheow Eofor eorl eorla fæder fæst fela feond feor feorh feud folces Frisians Geata Geatish Geatish king Geats gewat gold Grendel guardian gumena hæfde hall Healfdenes heard helm helmet Hengest heold Heorot Heremod hero heroic hilde Hildeburh hine Hnæf hoard hord Hroðgar Hrothgar Hwæt hwilum Hygd Hygelac hyne hyrde Ingeld king kinsman læg leader leode leodum lord mæg mapelode meahte mihte monster Næs niht note to lines ofer Ohthere Onela Ongentheow pæm Pær pæs pæt peah peoden poem poet pone ponne prince sceal scolde Scyldinga Scyldings secean secg sið Sigemund Swedish sword swylce syöðan thane Thorkelin treasure Wægmunding wære wæron wæs warriors wearð Weders Weohstan wið Wiglaf wiht wolde wordum wyrm þæt