The Beowulf Poet: A Collection of Critical EssaysDonald K. Fry "Beowulf' is the best surviving poem written in English before Chaucer," states Donald K. Fry. It is not a primitive poem or a product of the "dark ages," but a well-structured and unified poem which exemplifies the essentially pessimistic outlook and the indomitable will of the Northern tribes of England in the early Middle Ages. Beginning with J. R. R. Tolkien's description of "Beowulf"'s structure as "a balance, an opposition of ends and beginnings," Fry presents authoritative essays that range from explanations of dramatic technique and symbolism to religious themes and characterization. As the contributors to this book prove, the anonymous master craftsman of "Beowulf" produced a vigorous, stately, and beautiful poem which shows how a hero, embodying the ideals of a heroic society, must act in a world of ever increasing evil and impending doom. |
Contents
The Artistry of Beowulf by Donald K | 1 |
The Monsters and the Critics by J R R Tolkien | 8 |
The Style and Structure of Beowulf by Joan Blomfield | 57 |
Copyright | |
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allegory alliteration allusion ancient archaeological Beowulf Beowulf poet Breca Christian contrast criticism Cynewulf Danes dark death devil diction dragon dramatic audience Dryhten eald elements éode epic express fact fight Finnesburg Fragment folk-tale formulaic character Geats Germanic giants Godes Grendel Grendel's mother hall heathen hell helmet Heorot Heremod hero heroic hét hilt Homeric Hroðgar Hrothgar Hygelac idea Ingeld J. R. R. Tolkien judgement king Klaeber language literary literature Lord means Metod metrical monsters narrative noble Norse ofer Old English oral oral-formulaic pagan Parry passage perhaps phrase poem poet's poetic point of view Professor refer sæt Saxon Scylding seems sense similar singer songs Spangenhelm story structure suggests Sutton Hoo sword technique theme things thought tion tradition Unferth Valsgärde verb verse visualized warriors Widsith Wiglaf words wulf Wulfgar Yeavering þæs þæt