Beowulf

Beowulf is one of the most universally studied of the English classics, and considered to be the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature.

The title character is a warrior with superhuman strength who honors his king by performing glorious deeds, the first of which is to rescue the royal house of Denmark from two violent monsters. After killing them, he returns triumphantly and rules his people wisely as their King for 50 years, before he is again called upon to combat a dragon terrorizing the countryside. Despite knowing that he will most likely not survive the long and terrible fight, he helps kill the venomous dragon but is mortally wounded from a bite on the neck. His death is seen not as tragic, but as befitting the end of a good hero’s life.

Presented in an authoritative prose translation, this 6th century tale of heroism and sacrifice ranges from fierce action sequences to detailed portrayals of court life and combines mythical elements, pagan and Christian sensibilities, and actual historical figures. It is thought to be an earnest reflection of social and moral dilemmas presented in a tone of sustained grandeur.