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Beowulf

Beowulf. A Diary Example from the BG practice Valeri Vankov, 11a grade. History. Beowulf , the great Anglo-Saxon epic poem by an unknown author, was composed some time between the 8th and the 11th centuries. The text exists in only one manuscript which dates from about the year 1000.

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Beowulf

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  1. Beowulf A Diary Example from the BG practice Valeri Vankov, 11a grade

  2. History • Beowulf, the great Anglo-Saxon epic poem by an unknown author, was composed some time between the 8th and the 11th centuries. • The text exists in only one manuscript which dates from about the year 1000. • The poem was largely unknown until the first printed versions of the poem were published at the end of the eighteenth century. Soon, short English translations of various parts of the poem began to appear, and within a few decades, in 1833, the first full-length English translation was published.

  3. History • Since Beowulf is written in Old English, the earliest known form of the English language, one might assume that it would be easy to translate, at least easier than works printed in languages more substantially different from modern English.  • Yet looking at the many translations of Beowulf that are available in bookstores and libraries, it's immediately apparent  that they have important differences in language, form, and style. • This immediately raises the questions: Why are these translations so different? And how can I decide which, if any, is the "best" to read?

  4. Different Translations • ORIGINAL: Hwæt. We Gardena in gear- dagum, þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon. • LITERAL - What. We of the Spear-Danes in old days of the people-kings, power heard, how the princes brave deeds did. • R. M. LIUZZA: Listen! We have heard of the glory in bygone days of the folk-kings of the spear-Danes, how those noble lords did lofty deeds. • BURTON RAFFEL: Hear me! We've heard of Danish heroes, Ancient kings and the glory they cut For themselves, swinging mighty swords!

  5. ORIGINAL: Forgeaf þa Beowulfe   brand Healfdenessegen gyldenne   sigores to leane;hroden hildecumbor,    helm ond byrnan,mære maðþumsweord    manige gesawonbeforan beorn beran. LITERAL: He gave then Beowulf   the sword of     Healfdane,golden standard [banner] victory to reward;embroidered war-banner, helmet and armor,famous treasure-sword many sawbefore the warrior borne. RUTH P. M. LEHMANN: Beowulf received   the brand of Halfdane,a battle standard,  broidered in gold,warhelm and buckler,  rewards for triumph,a crowd had witnessed   the costly weaponborne before the warrior.  

  6. Diary and Notes • This way of presenting of a popular work helps for learning them, personally I think that this gives us more realistic view of the plot. The comparison between the original and the modern version shows how the language has developed. The combination of video materials and text helps for easier remembering. In my opinion this is the best way to learn something and more lessons must be like this.

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