Beowulf and Celtic Tradition

Martin Puhvel

Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, 1979 - History - 142 pages

Puhvel traces and evaluates the possible influences of Celtic tradition on the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. He discusses theories of the origins of the poem, draws parallels between elements in Beowulf and in Celtic literary tradition, and suggests that the central plot of the poem, the conflict between Grendel and his mother, is “fundamentally indebted to Celtic folktale elements.” The study is well documented and rich in references to Celtic literature, legend, and folklore.

Contents

• REVIEW OF THE CASE FOR CELTIC INFLUENCE IN BEOWULF: 1
• THE MIGHT OF GRENDELS MOTHER: 14
• THE LIGHTPHENOMENON IN GRENDELS DWELLING: 24
• THE MELTING OF THE GIANTWROUGHT SWORD: 39
• BEOWULF AND IRISH BATTLE RAGE: 45
• THE SWIMMING PROWESS OF BEOWULF: 55
• BEOWULFS FIGHTS WITH WATERMONSTERS: 61
• BEOWULF AND IRISH UNDERWATER ADVENTURE: 73
• BEOWULFS SLAYING OF DÆGHREFN: 82
• THE QUESTION OF THE ORIGIN OF THE GRENDEL STORY: 86
• INDEX OF PERSONAL NAMES: 139

About the author

Martin Puhvel is Associate Professor of English at McGill University, where he teaches Old and Middle English language and literature, Old Norse, and folklore. He has contributed numerous articles on various facets of English literature to learned journals. A native Estonian, he has translated Estonian literature into English and vice versa. He holds the Ph.D. degree from Harvard.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Beowulf and Celtic Tradition
• Author: Martin Puhvel
• Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, 1979
• ISBN: 0889200637, 9780889200630
• Length: 142 pages
• Subjects: Body, Mind & Spirit / Celtic Spirituality; History / Europe / Medieval; Literary Criticism / Ancient & Classical; Literary Criticism / Comparative Literature; Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh; Literary Criticism / General; Literary Criticism / Medieval; Literary Criticism / Poetry; Literary Criticism / Subjects & Themes / General