Product Description

Beowulf, the major surviving poem in Old English, is composed in a language that is rich but often difficult. This fully annotated edition makes the poem more accessible in its original language, while at the same time providing the materials necessary for its detailed study at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To facilitate understanding and fluent reading of the poem, the Old English text of Beowulf is here accompanied by an extensive running glossary which includes the greater part of the vocabulary of the poem. Words that occur more than once are glossed on each occasion. The inclusion of marginal glosses will enable readers who may be at an early stage in the study of Old English to cope more easily with the complex vocabulary of the poem. But this edition is not meant only for those who are approaching Old English for the first time; it is designed to be suitable for students at any stage, and those who are already familiar with Old English will find the marginal glosses of value in enabling Beowulf to be read more fluently. George Jack's introduction considers the origins and transmission of the poem, and provides a survey of its constituent materials. A full commentary on textual and interpretative problems, points of grammar and meaning, and matters of literary and historical context is provided, as is a guide to further reading on Beowulf. The text of the Finnsburh Fragment has also been included, because of its special relevance to Beowulf, and it is likewise accompanied by marginal glosses and notes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221885 in Books
• Published on: 1994-10-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
"Has excited a good deal of comment and acclaim by Anglo-Saxonists. It will supersede Klaeber's great edition (1950), standard for many years, because it is better directed to the needs of the student. The accompanying glossary and careful notes are especially helpful."--George H. Brown, Stanford University
"A major contribution to the undergraduate study of this difficult poem. Its existence may be a key factor in keeping alive at American colleges a close reading of Anglo-Saxon England's most significant and powerful poem."--Craig R. Davis, Smith College
"How I wish I'd see this earlier. This text strikes a wonderful balance between the needs of scholars and teachers, and those of students with an introductory knowledge of Old English. The introduction, notes, critical apparatus, and bibliography are first-rate complements to a carefully edited and intelligently glossed text."--Thomas A. Goodman, University of Miami
"This looks like a very useful volume--particularly for a course in which there will be a number of undergraduates."--Thomas D. Hill, Cornell University
"Very useful--either in conjunction with Klaeber, or to replace it. Really helps advanced Old English students to speed up their translating and focus on grammar. I actually looked forward to the translating this term."--C.M. Rose, Portland State University