(no subject)

[callistahogan]

For school, my English teacher just assigned us Beowulf. I'm currently on page fifteen and, so far, it's incredibly interesting. This is the first sort of poetry-slash-prose novel that I've ever read, and probably the oldest book I've ever read, excluding the Bible, so this is a new experience for me. However, I'm very much enjoying it so far.

There are lots of great bits in the story, but this piece is one that just caught my eye:

These were hard times, heart-breaking
for the prince of the Shieldings; powerful counsellors,
the highest in the land, would lend advice,
plotting how best the bold defenders
might resist and beat off sudden attacks.
Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed
offerings to idols, swore oaths
that the killer of souls might come to their aid
and save the people. That was their way,
their heathenish hope; deep in their hearts
they remembered hell. The Almighty Judge
of good deeds and bad, the Lord God,
Head of the Heavens and High King of the World,
was unknown to them. Oh, cursed is he
who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul
in the fire's embrace, forfeiting help;
he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he
who after death can approach the Lord
and find friendship in the Father's embrace.

I'm not sure why, but that piece just resonated with me. Doesn't it just flow and sound so amazingly wonderful?

To me, it did. I wish I could write poetry like that.

Comments

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

What version/translation is this? I have always wanted to read it, but the ones I've seen have been too difficult for my wee brain.

[callistahogan.livejournal.com]

This is the Seamus Heaney version, with the Old English on the left side and the regular ol' English on the right side. My copy says "bilingual edition" on the front. :)

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

OOO! I think that's the one I held in my hands at BN some time ago, almost in tears because I couldn't afford it. It was GORGEOUS!

[callistahogan.livejournal.com]

Aw, that stinks. *hugs* Hopefully you'll be able to get it eventually, though!

The version I got from my high school is pretty much the same you linked to, but mine has the picture of Beowulf (I assume) with the chain mail armor covering his entire body, so it's a bit grimmer, but still gorgeous. And it's very easy to understand, so that's a plus.

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Thanks for mentioning it. I hadn't thought about it in awhile, and the price has gone down significantly. I've put it on my Wish List. Have fun reading!

[limmenel.livejournal.com]

Which translation is this?

[callistahogan.livejournal.com]

This is the Seamus Heaney translation, with Old English on the left and regular English on the right. It should say "bilingual version" or somesuch thing under the name Seamus Heaney, and mine had Beowulf's torso and head entirely covered in chainmail.

[greatalexanders.livejournal.com]

If you're enjoying this - it's a faboulous translation by the by - some of the other epics might appeal too, poetic-novels like the Iliad (go for Fagles' translation, it's verse but accurate and damn good)

[reixedyri.livejournal.com]

I saw the movie with Angelina Jolie.