Beowulf: An Imitative Translation / Edition 1

by Ruth P.M. Lehmann

Overview

The name "Beowulf" lingers in our collective memory, although today fewer people have heard the tale of the Germanic hero's fight with Grendel, the dreadful Monster of the Mere, as recounted in this Anglo-Saxon epic.

This edition of Beowulf makes the poem more accessible than ever before. Ruth Lehmann's imitative translation is the only one available that preserves both the story line of the poem and the alliterative versification of the Anglo-Saxon original. The characteristic features of Anglo-Saxon poetry— alliterative verse with first-syllable stress, flexible word order, and inflectional endings—have largely disappeared in Modern English, creating special problems for the translator. Indeed, many other translations of Beowulf currently available are either in prose or in some modern poetic form. Dr. Lehmann's translation alone conveys the "feel" of the original, its rhythm and sound, the powerful directness of the Germanic vocabulary.

In her introduction, Dr. Lehmann gives a succinct summary of the poem's plot, touching on the important themes of obligation and loyalty, of family feuds, unforgivable crimes, the necessity of revenge, and the internal and external struggles of the Scandinavian tribes. She also describes the translation process in some detail, stating the guiding principles she used and the inevitable compromises that were sometimes necessary.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780292707719
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	11/01/1988
Pages:	127
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

A noted medievalist, the late Ruth P. M. Lehmann was a professor of English at the University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Poem
• The Dane's Story: Scyldings Shelter Scyld
• Grendel's Coming: Danes, Danger, Daring
• A Grieving Mother's Vengeance: Monster-Mother of the Mere
• The Last Victory: The Dragon and Death
• Notes
• Appendix: The Finnsburg Fragment
• Annotated Index of Proper Names
• Genealogies of the Royal Families

Editorial Reviews

A stunning accomplishment, Ruth P. M. Lehmann’s Beowulf . . . consistently impressive and reliable, an authentic voicing of traditional verse animated by the vigor of Lehmann’s word choice, energized by her deeply felt awareness of linguistic/rhythmic realities, and graced by frequently lovely and haunting turns of phrase. . . . Highly recommended . . .

Choice