LibGuides: Beowulf: Beowulf, the Poem

The Beowulf Manuscript

The epic Beowulf, set in the pagan world of 6th century Scandinavia, was originally passed down from generation to generation through spoken performances and word-of-mouth. It was not until the Anglo-Saxon people had settled in England that it was finally recorded in writing in the Old English language, probably in the 11th century. At that point the epic had most likely evolved from the original tale, with Christian symbols and themes inserted over time as Christianity gained popularity among the retellers. For this reason it is helpful to understand both worlds of Beowulf: the ancient Scandanavian world in which the tale originated, and the world of Anglo-Saxon England where it evolved and was transcribed as we know the story today.

This is an image of the first page of the surviving original written copy of Beowulf. Now about 1,000 years old, it is referred to as the "Beowulf Manuscript" and is housed in the national British Library.

"Beowulf". British Library Online Gallery. The British Library Board, 26 March 2009. Web. 30 Nov 2012.

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/englit/beowulf

Books in Our Library

Here are a few of the books we have on this topic in the library. To find more, try a Power search in the library catalog.

Readings on Beowulf
Call Number: 829.3 T476r
Contains critical essays on the epic poem Beowulf. Essays are divided into three thematic chapters: "Social and Cultural Context," "The Heroic Character," and "Thematic and Structural Issues." Includes a look at the poem's author and his world as well as a chronology, brief bibliography, and an index.
Beowulf [sound recording]
Call Number: CD HEA
Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf comes to life in this gripping audio recording. Read by the translator himself, it reminds us that the epic poem Beowulf, composed more than 1,000 years ago, was intended to be heard, not read.
Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory
Call Number: 803 CUD
Covers all aspects of literary theory, from definitions of technical terms to characterizations of literary movements. Geared toward students, teachers, readers, and writers alike, this reference work explains jargon, different schools of literary theory, literary forms, and genres.

Online Resources: Themes & Vocabulary

"Comitatus and Interlacing"
Defines the ideas of comitatus and interlacing and relates them to the story of Beowulf.
"Kennings add layers of meaning"
Provides a definition of the kenning as used in Anglo-Saxon literature, as well as links to other information on kennings.

This is a page from the "Beowulf Resources" website created by retired academic librarian Araby Greene. The website is a helpful guide on many topics related to the study of Beowulf. Check out the "Beowulf Pages" menu of the website for more helpful resources.
"Writing in Literature": Purdue Online Writing Lab
A guide on how to write about literature and poetry. Explains what to look for when reading, how to analyze a poem or literature, and how to develop an idea when deciding what to write about.