Beowulf, Translation by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Crossley-Holland, Kevin. Beowulf, New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. 

Dating to at least the 8th Century C.E., Beowulf is possibly one of the most valuable poems to survive the mass burning of pre-Christian literature in the 14th Century C.E., due to it's occasional references to Christianity. Set in Scandinavia but imported to Britain, this Anglo-Saxon poem tells the tale of the champion warrior of the Geats, Beowulf (lit."Bear-hunter") whose adventures lead him to engage in three deadly victories for freedom and kingship.

After defeating the brutish Grendel, a moster-like man whose attacks against the warriors of Hrodgar King of the Danes and Mead Hall  had left the nation in fear, but also slaying Grendel's mother, a demonic-type woman, the hero Beowulf becomes the Swedish king of Geatland and the nations supreme victor. His final victory against a dragon takes place 50 years after his first two battles, where he is finally left mortally wounded.


Beowulf also makes mention of the battles and wars over the five Gold Rings of the Scandinavian Kings, a historical factor which J.R.R. Tolkien used to formulate the basic plot for the Lord of the Rings (students may also see other references in the Beowulf translation which were used by Tolkien: hint* Bilbo and Smorg the dragon).




Although an adventure with exploits that are fanciful and filled with pre-Christian pagan mythology, scholars have questioned over the centuries if the original Beowulf poem had any references to Christianity at all when first composed, and if certain passages had been inserted by pious monks who wished to Christianize the overtly pagan text.

This translation by Crossley-Holland is easy to follow and includes notes on the translation, including the origins of the mythological imagery and historical period.

 Further Reading:
www.nationalgeographic.com/ngbeyond/rings/myth.html