Why Beowulf?

            I posed the same question to myself the first day I heard of this unusual epic referred to as, Beowulf. Literature has a way of relating to our everyday lives, so I was interested in learning about why after all of these years the curriculum was still being taught.

            This epic poem reflected an early period of time in European culture. It is the oldest surviving piece of meaningful literature in English. There is some debate as to whether or not the epic was the oldest thing written in English which is most likely not true due to evidence of other literature, but some experts would argue otherwise. Beowulf was written originally in old English, but as time went on and the English language changed so did the interpretation of the epic. Different authors decided to rewrite the epic so that people of their time could understand the story. The similar translations have been slightly altered in syntax thus showing the various perspectives.

            Seamus Heaney is a distinguished modern poet who created another, one of many, translation of Beowulf. I assume he made it for readers who would not be able to depict the Anglo-Saxon language. Although there are several similar words and phrases the language was hard to understand due to the inverted syntax used throughout the selection. For example, Morgan says, “Grendel the fiend’s name…” In English today this would be read as “The fiend’s name is Grendel” from the Greenfield translation. Other factors contribute to the difficulty of understanding the language, for example the diction, punctuation, and use of different characters as noticed in several Old English pieces of literature.

            Another question arises “are we still fighting monsters?” In my perspective we may not be literally fighting monsters in modern times, but we are definitely fighting them in the symbolic sense. In this world most of us are fighting to be remembered, legendary, or even a part of noteworthy history. Our obstacles may not be the same as the medieval warriors, but we still have to overcome certain boundaries.

            There is much to learn from this tale of violence and brutal combat. The warriors during the Anglo-Saxon period were trying to be remembered as legendary people after their death because there was no formal way of recording their accomplishments, so in order to spread the word they told people. Scops were Old English poets who memorized and performed the epics in mead halls. I believe the epic continues to entertain its readers presently and viewers back in the Anglo-Saxon period when scops performed the epics. The stories catch the reader’s attention with its intriguing tone.

            Beowulf has continued to be a timeless epic poem and I believe it will continue in the future of fundamental education.