Questions About Beowulf

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Answered Questions (12)

In the summary of this book, it says "A new, feminist translation". Do the translator's personal views change the narrative of this story? Is this translation more of an opinion piece? I'm asking genuinely - not looking for a fight.

Terence I just finished reading the translation & I'd say that Casey is right in that the language regarding Grendel and his mother is a bit more nuanced than…moreI just finished reading the translation & I'd say that Casey is right in that the language regarding Grendel and his mother is a bit more nuanced than simply presenting them a "monsters."

The poem focuses on its traditional protagonist, Beowulf, but Headley's translation tends to focus on the brutal environment & the motivations of the characters. I wouldn't really characterize it as "feminist" just as a version emphasizing elements of the tale sometimes marginalized or forgotten in other versions.

Headley's intro is actually quite good in laying out how she approached the translation & is worth reading even if you don't get to the poem.(less)

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does anyone else read and reread this?

Jonathan Farley I learned Old English especially to read it. I dip into it regularly and probably reread it at least once every two years or so.

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So, I was considering either reading this or listening to the audiobook. I dont normally read poetry, let alone listen to it, and I was wondering if one option would be better than the other, and if audiobook is the way to go which version of it? since there are several availble on audible

Holly I found listening to the audio book to be very entertaining and relatively quick (about two hours). I listened to the version by Seamus Heaney. Person…moreI found listening to the audio book to be very entertaining and relatively quick (about two hours). I listened to the version by Seamus Heaney. Personally, I found his Irish accent to add to the story even though it was more a Northern European tale than English. (less)

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Have there been any movies or video adaptations of 'Beowulf'?

Johnny As of 2022, there have been a few (though less than one might expect):
• Grendel Grendel Grendel (1981)
IMDb #tt0082478 - 1h28m - 6.8/10 - Trivial Popul…moreAs of 2022, there have been a few (though less than one might expect):
• Grendel Grendel Grendel (1981)
IMDb #tt0082478 - 1h28m - 6.8/10 - Trivial Popularity
• Animated Epics: Beowulf (1998) (TV Movie)
IMDb #tt0270854 - 0h27m - 7.1/10 - Trivial Popularity
• Beowulf (1999)
IMDb #tt0120604 - 1h35m - 4.1/10 - Low Popularity
• Beowulf & Grendel (2005)
IMDb #tt0402057 - 1h43m - 5.8/10 - Low Popularity
• Beowulf (2007)
IMDb #tt0442933 - 1h55m - 6.3/10 - Medium Popularity
• Beowulf: The Game (2007) (Video Game)
IMDb #tt1125921 - Videogame - 5.1/10 - Low Popularity

I'm sure that there will be more to come, but for now, those are the most relevant ones.(less)

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Should this be read before or after watching the movie (2007)?

Steph Personally, I think most paperback fiction can go either way with regards to the book vs. movie first approach, but books and poems like Beowulf that …morePersonally, I think most paperback fiction can go either way with regards to the book vs. movie first approach, but books and poems like Beowulf that have stood the test of time deserve one's first experience be in its original presentation style, which in this case would be in the oral tradition (i.e., audio book). However, the written version is equally acceptable if audio books don't sound appealing to you.

My ultimate recommendation is that you read or listen to the poem, watch the movie, then read or listen to it again. It's quite dense, and even with a translated copy, it can be difficult to understand what is going on in the story, and watching a movie version of an old tale can often help to explain what is going on, especially with stories that take place in bygone times and whose way of speech is far from that of the modern language the reader may be accustom to.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

How does Headley translate the Anglo-Saxon term "eotan"? Or perhaps I should ask does Headley describe the mini tale within Beowulf, the Finn Episode, as a fight between men, some of whom are Jutes, or are they described as giants/literal monsters? I am looking for a translation of Beowulf that leans in to the mythological elements.

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