The earliest extant poem in a modern European language, Beowulf was composed 400 years before the Norman Conquest. As a social document, this great epic poem reflects a feudal, newly Christian world of heroes and monsters, blood and victory and death. As a work of art, it rings with a beauty, power, and artistry that have kept it alive for more than twelve centuries.
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The earliest extant poem in a modern European language, Beowulf was composed 400 years before the Norman Conquest. As a social document, this great epic poem reflects a feudal, newly Christian world of heroes and monsters, blood and victory and death. As a work of art, it rings with a beauty, power, and artistry that have kept it alive for more than twelve centuries.
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Add this copy of Beowulf (Signet Classics) to cart. $1.34, good condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Signet.
Add this copy of Beowulf (Signet Classics) to cart. $1.99, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Signet.
Add this copy of Beowulf (Signet Classics) to cart. $1.99, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Signet.
Add this copy of Beowulf (Signet Classics) to cart. $1.99, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Signet.
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Fair. This item is in overall acceptable condition. Covers and dust jackets are intact but may have heavy wear including creases, bends, edge wear, curled corners or minor tears as well as stickers or sticker-residue. Pages are intact but may have minor curls, bends or moderate to considerable highlighting/ writing. Binding is intact; however, spine may have heavy wear. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. A well-read copy overall. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Add this copy of Beowulf to cart. $2.28, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published by New Amer Library.
Add this copy of Beowulf to cart. $2.28, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published by New Amer Library.
Add this copy of Beowulf to cart. $2.28, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published by New Amer Library.
Add this copy of Beowulf (Signet Classics) to cart. $2.30, fair condition, Sold by BookHolders rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gambrills, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Signet Book.
Epic narrative poems have been recurrent in Western Literature since Homer and Virgil. They tell us stories of a hero?s great deeds and travels, always seeking fame and the glory of his country. A wonderful example is the poem Beowulf, having been the first ever written in English, by an anonymous writer around the 9th century. It had to be translated into modern English due to the huge changes the language has suffered through time. Among the dozens of translations available, I?ve read the one by Burton Raffel, an American poet who makes the story quite clear to our modern patterns. And it?s a fascinating one! The hero, Beowulf, is a Geat prince ? the King of Geatland?s nephew ? who travels to Daneland (Denmark) to help the Danish King, Hrothgar, an old friend of his father?s. Hrothgar had built a great hall to celebrate his victories in war, but every time they celebrated, a terrible monster, Grendel, came and killed his men while they were sleeping. This had been going on for years when Beowulf came with his men. He managed to kill the beast, but on the next night, its mother showed up to avenge her son and killed one of Hrothgar?s best men. Having followed her to her den in the bottom of a lake, Beowulf defeated her and returned to his country. His uncle died a few years later and he became the new King. After fifty years, his land was attacked by a dragon. Beowulf kills it with the help of a young relative, Wiglaf, but loses his life in the process. Wiglaf is then crowned King. The book?s greatest strengths are its exciting action and the narrative itself, which, despite being fictional, gives a nice picture of how life was in the 9th century Europe. Its themes of honour and loyalty may appear old fashioned, but today?s readers could learn a lot from them. One weak point is that the narrative is often interrupted by secondary stories which are part of Northern peoples? folklore but are barely related to the main storyline. Contemporary readers might find these parts dull and unnecessary. All in all, Beowulf is undoubtfully still worth reading. In fact, it?s a must-read if you want to understand English literature and culture. I believe Beowulf?s bravery and loyalty are inspiring examples to us all, and the book?s well told battles make it one of my favourite epic poems.
