Description
A cornerstone of the English literary canon, this celebrated facing-page edition brings the ancient epic of Beowulf into vivid, contemporary focus through Seamus Heaney’s acclaimed translation. Across a sweeping arc of heroic deeds, courtly politics, and terrifying encounters with the monstrous, Beowulf’s courage is tested in battles that challenge both physical strength and moral resolve. The poem explores themes of fame and legacy, loyalty and leadership, the thin boundary between civilization and chaos, and the costs of violence in a world governed by honor and memory. Heaney’s distinctive, accessible style—praised for its freshness—makes the Old English pulse feel immediate, inviting readers to experience the saga not as a relic, but as living literature.
Available Editions
paperback
Norton
Published Jan 1, 2002
256 pages
ISBN: 9780393975802
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Details
First Published
2000
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for Beowulf by Seamus Heaney.