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A review by emays7
Beowulf by Unknown
5.0
With dynamic events and colourful, creative (and graphic!) description, this is a captivating and very enjoyable read.
It was an interesting insight to read first-hand (albeit in translation) an example of the works which influenced Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' which I'm also currently reading.
It was also fun to read it aloud as an epic poem would have originally been relayed. I think it emphasised some of the drama of the narrative and captured a sense of the nostalgia in storytelling together with an intimacy of gathering round to enjoy the tale in company.
This is definitely a candidate for a re-read at some point!
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Some themes:
- bravery & heroism
- strength
- physical combat
- honour/reverence & fame
- reward & riches
- loyalty
- (sometimes repeated) storytelling
Favourite gory quote:
"Nor did the creature keep him waiting but struck suddenly and started in; he grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless, eaten up hand and foot."
Two pleasanter quotes:
"And such was his affection that he could not help being overcome: his fondness for the man was so deep-founded, it warmed his heart and wound the heartstrings tight in his breast."
"Heroic Beowulf and his band of men crossed the wide strand, striding along the sandy foreshore; the sun shone, the world's candle warmed them from the south [...]"
A quote which captures something of the worldview behind the epic:
"For their bravery in action, when they arrived home Eofor and Wulf were overloaded by Hrethel's son, Hygelac the Geat, with gifts of land and linked rings that were worth a fortune. They had won glory, so there was no gainsaying his generosity."
Other good descriptions:
- "And so he mourned as he moved about the world, deserted and alone, lamenting his unhappiness day and night, until death's flood brimmed up in his heart."
- "Then an old harrower of the dark happened to find the hoard open, the burning one who hunts out barrows, the slick-skinned dragon, threatening the night sky with streamers of fire."
- "[...] or a battle-scarred veteran, bowed with age, would begin to remember the martial deeds of his youth and prime and be overcome as the past welled up in his wintry heart."
It was an interesting insight to read first-hand (albeit in translation) an example of the works which influenced Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' which I'm also currently reading.
It was also fun to read it aloud as an epic poem would have originally been relayed. I think it emphasised some of the drama of the narrative and captured a sense of the nostalgia in storytelling together with an intimacy of gathering round to enjoy the tale in company.
This is definitely a candidate for a re-read at some point!
----------
Some themes:
- bravery & heroism
- strength
- physical combat
- honour/reverence & fame
- reward & riches
- loyalty
- (sometimes repeated) storytelling
Favourite gory quote:
"Nor did the creature keep him waiting but struck suddenly and started in; he grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless, eaten up hand and foot."
Two pleasanter quotes:
"And such was his affection that he could not help being overcome: his fondness for the man was so deep-founded, it warmed his heart and wound the heartstrings tight in his breast."
"Heroic Beowulf and his band of men crossed the wide strand, striding along the sandy foreshore; the sun shone, the world's candle warmed them from the south [...]"
A quote which captures something of the worldview behind the epic:
"For their bravery in action, when they arrived home Eofor and Wulf were overloaded by Hrethel's son, Hygelac the Geat, with gifts of land and linked rings that were worth a fortune. They had won glory, so there was no gainsaying his generosity."
Other good descriptions:
- "And so he mourned as he moved about the world, deserted and alone, lamenting his unhappiness day and night, until death's flood brimmed up in his heart."
- "Then an old harrower of the dark happened to find the hoard open, the burning one who hunts out barrows, the slick-skinned dragon, threatening the night sky with streamers of fire."
- "[...] or a battle-scarred veteran, bowed with age, would begin to remember the martial deeds of his youth and prime and be overcome as the past welled up in his wintry heart."