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Thus begins the battle between good and evil, for lying in wait and anxious to challenge the ogre Grendel is a young man, strong-willed and fire-hearted. This man is Beowulf, whose heroic dragon-slaying deeds were sung in the courts of Anglo-Saxon England more than a thousand years ago.
Beowulf is our only native English heroic epic. In the figure of Beowulf, the Scandinavian warrior, and his struggles against monsters, the unknown author depicts the life and outlook of a pagan age. The poem is a subtle blending of themes—the conflict of good and evil, and an examination of heroism. Its skillful arrangement of incidents and use of contrast and parallel show it to be the product of a highly sophisticated culture.
This version of Beowulf is the translation by Francis B. Gummere.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 29, 2010 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781400195992
- File size: 86606 KB
- Duration: 03:00:25
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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The dramatic story of a legendary warrior and the monsters he confronts takes a new, somewhat modern, turn in this audio performance. At first, Rosalyn Landor's voice sounds traditional, with its clipped British accent and no-nonsense pace. However, the way she phrases the majestic syntax makes this a more accessible version of the seminal classic. The males who populate the tale are depicted with verve and confidence. She glides over descriptions--the sun is "the world's great candle," the sea is "the swan's road"--and alliterative declarations--Beowulf's companions are "hardy-hearted heroes of war"--with nary a pause. And with Landor's distinct emphasis on subjects and verbs in each sentence, the meaning of this classroom staple comes clear, leaving space to enjoy the beauty of the words. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine -
This heroic Anglo-Saxon nar-rative poem, believed to have been written 1,250 years ago, is rich in history and legend. The epic explores the age-old themes of good and evil, vengeance and loyalty as Beowulf battles monsters and dragons. British actor David Rintoul does a masterful job narrating this major work of the Western canon. His voice, vibrant and rich, Shakespearean in its cadences and timbre, nimbly conveys the nuances of the poem, from its heroic deeds to its elegiac tone. Rintoul's narration makes music of the harsh guttural sounds of this fine translation. Liner notes include a synopsis of the poem. P.B.J. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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