Beowulf is one of the most famous and well-known Old English heroic epics in English literature. This is a closer analysis of the story which describes the heroic acts and adventures of Beowulf, a hero of the Geates.
Seamus Heaney
Seamus Heaney, (1939 – 2013) a Nobel Prize winning, Harvard University professor, published the newest translation of Beowulf in 2000. It was referred to as "Heaneywulf" by some. Heaney was an Irish poet. He was also a playwright and a lecturer. But, it was in his capacity as a translator that he worked his magic on Beowulf. As a professor of poetry at Oxford in 1996, he would have had ready access to the manuscript. After a fall at the age of 74, he fell ill and died. Heaney is buried in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Ireland, at the Cemetery of St. Mary's Church. On his tombstone are the words, "Walk on Air Against Your Better Judgment."
Beowulf Characters
This study includes an analysis of the key characters in Beowulf, the Old English epic. This study includes characteristics of Beowulf, King Hrothgar, Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, Wiglaf, the Dragon, and all the main figures.
Beowulf Summary
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem with more than 3,000 lines. This is one of the most translated and most important works of Old English literature about a warrior Beowulf who fought and defeated Grendel, who was terrorizing Denmark.