When i read the intro (By Mr Raffel) i was instantly sold to buy this book. The fact alone that it was written between 1200 and 1600 years ago should credit this book enough for everyone to want to read it.
The story itself is motivating. It really lets you imagine a great warrior who had his priorities straight. Sometimes the most basic story of a hero winning battles will grip your heart and squeeze it with inspiration. I give this 5 stars because it was a really entertaining "poem" to read. I say poem because it was supposed to be a poem. But fear not; this book reads as a short story, and i would encourage people to read it and have their kids read it (older kids: say 12 and up). Once you understand the story it might be fun for your kids to try it, and you can "enlighten" them on any points they think they've missed.
I wish we knew more about such an awsome tale.
I tip my cap to the Unkown Author for giving us a truly beautiful tale of a warrior who knows no defeat, but also knows that all good things must eventually come to an end.
As a footnote, I might advise you to purchase the "black-covered" book with the man in chain-mail. I picked it up at the bookstore (after having read this copy) and it looked a lot more interesting and provocative than mine. In addition to side notes, and footnotes, that version also shows the original text (in old english) and i though that you seemed to get more for just a few extra bucks.
?Then the monster charged again, vomitingFire, wild with pain, rushed outFierce and dreadful, its fear forgotten.Watching for its chance it drove it tusksInto Beowulf?s neck; he staggered, the bloodCame flooding forth, fell like rain?
(2688-2693, Burton Raffel?s translation)
To the fellow enlightened, individualistic soul and internal Seeker of Truth:
The work
Incomprehensible events and mysterious omens stimulated the contemporary strolling bards of the 5th century to the heroic poem of the idealised superhuman Beowulf and his many accounts at Lejre. The events, which occurred in the area near Roskilde Fjord, were so intense that even 200 years later ? generation after generation ? handed down fables and lays were composed in remembrance of the greatness of olden times. Especially in Danelagen and Ireland where the Anglo-Saxon art of storytelling was interwoven with that of the Celtic, the tradition from the warriors of prehistoric Denmark matured to be the best preserved legend of trials, courage and character: Beowulf is in itself an impressing and magnificent work that primarily is an excellent poem but which also passes on important knowledge of historical interest, though remaining peripheral to its central fact as being a sheer literal feat.
The historic fiction
Even though no real evident supports the existence of Beowulf, there seems to be agreement in accordance to contemporary accounts, which supplied the Beowulf-poet with inspiration to the creation of the celebrated person. The poet had without any doubt great knowledge of Germanic history thus enabling him to adapt the fantastic Beowulf to geographical existing places and exact historical events. The central story is thus connected to a network of other European legends and eposes. It is put to greater consensus with the founding of the Scylding-dynasti, the Danish ?race? and the immediately approaching doom of the Geats. The epic poem is ingrained (in pace with the introductions of origins of peoples and monsters), into a man created supernatural story, for which the supporting space and time gives off an almost tangible nearness and realism.
The breathtaking / awe-inspiring story
The mythical-historic Beowulf battles it out with the hell-born offspring of Cain, swims across oceans, hunts monsters of the sea with his personalized sword Nagling ? all for wealth and fortune ? to brave the matchless and take on impossible challenges; simply stepping into character ? for he is the utter accomplished hero who does not take advises from the feeble-hearted, but relies upon himself and the Wyrd (old Norse; destiny to be forfilled) which he is acknowledged for through kingship and a glorified death in heroically violent combat against an extern threat to his established world/kingdom.
NB: At times, the idealized values of the poem contradicts themselves; this is most obvious in the typical traits of the heroic codex of Beowulf and his contemporaries versus the Christian lecture ?poured on top?: This is explained in the beginning of Christian influence on the 6th century, where the heathen belief in Wyrd merged with the belief on God; In force of the poet?s (probably a monk ? since they were among the only literate) comprehension and great tolerance of heathens, the many allusions and Christian values and virtues can be ascribed to his attempt of paralleling the Heathen-Germanic history with the Old Testaments pre-Christian world. - Thus trying to prove the Christian world?s announcement in his innate cultural legacy but also to justify and explain why both Heathen and Christian traditions are retained by his contemporaries.
Conclusion
The language and essence of ?Beowulf? calls out with a profound attraction which we, readers of Beowulf, still find moving inside of us? the inspiration of becoming better people in a world where the old ideals has long ago been forgotten and written off as being out of date. ? And where way too many dragons already lurks.
My advise: buy the book, read it through and indulge in the awesome poetry and vivid, figurative language. (There is much more to it than what meets the eye).
Wes Gesund Bjovulf!
Enjoy!