BeowulfComposed about CE 1000, Beowulf is the longest known poem written in Old English. Considered one of the great epics, the Anglo-Saxon saga relates the heroic deeds of the warrior Beowulf, who kills the man-eating monster Grendel, and the monster's mother. Containing touches of Christian and pagan symbolism, Beowulf is the source of many medieval and Renaissance legends. It also influenced J.R.R. Tolkien, and helped spawn the fantasy genre so popular today in literature and film. Arm students for immersion in the study of this mythic adventure with Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations. Newly updated, Beowulf includes full-length, interpretive essays that provide expert commentary, as well as introductions, a chronology, notes on the contributors, and a bibliography. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Structure and the Unity of Beowulf | 7 |
Succession and Glory in Beowulf | 21 |
Locating Beowulf in Literary History | 35 |
Grendels Glove | 63 |
The Monsters of Beowulf | 91 |
Christian and Pagan Elements | 121 |
Myth and History | 139 |
Cycles and Change in Beowulf | 189 |
Beowulfs Complex Obsequies | 209 |
The Case of Scyld and Beowulf | 233 |
Chronology | 253 |
Contributors | 257 |
| 261 | |
Acknowledgments | 267 |
| 269 | |
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Common terms and phrases
action alliteration Anglo-Saxon appears approach associated audience battle beginning believe Beowulf body Book called Cambridge century character Christian concerning context contrast critics culture Danes Danish death described discussion dragon early elements England English Studies epic epithets evidence example fact fight figure final funeral further Geats Germanic give glory Grendel hall hand Heorot hero heroic Hrothgar human Hygelac important interpretation irony John kind king language later lines literary Literature living Lord meaning Medieval monsters mother myth narrative nature offers Old English once opening oral original pagan passage past perhaps period poem poem’s poet poet’s poetic poetry possible present question reference relation Scyld seems sense similar social story structure Studies suggest tells theme tradition treasure understanding University Press warrior writing