Translated by Seamus Heaney
This illustrated translation of the epic poem, Beowulf, includes over a hundred illustrations that bring the story to life.
Beowulf is a hero of the most classic sort who becomes a king by defeating a trio of terrorizing monsters. As Beowulf’s courage is tested on his hero’s journey, the virtues and struggles of humanity are eloquently mirrored. In this story filled with archetypal symbolism, the translator made a great effort to honor the structure and rhythm of the powerful, evocative language of the original Anglo-Saxon.
How to visualize the poet's story has always been a challenge for modern-day readers. In Beowulf: An Illustrated Edition, John D. Niles, a specialist in Old English literature, provides visual counterparts to Heaney's remarkable translation. More than one hundred full-page illustrations―Viking warships, chain mail, lyres, spearheads, even a reconstruction of the Great Hall―make visible Beowulf's world and the elemental themes of his story: death, divine power, horror, heroism, disgrace, devotion, and fame.
Included in this package:
Product Details
- Paperback Edition
- Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
- Publication date: November 17, 2007
- Pages: 260
- Product dimensions: 7.4(w) x 9.1(h)
- Item weight: 1.85 lbs
