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Beowulf (Broadview Literary Texts) (Broadview Literary Texts Series)

The classic story of Beowulf, hero and dragon-slayer, appears here in a new translation accompanied by genealogical charts, historical summaries, and a glossary of proper names. These and other documents sketching some of the cultural forces behind the poem's final creation will help readers see Beowulf as an exploration of the politics of kingship and the psychology of heroism, and as an early English meditation on the bridges and chasms between the pagan past and the Christian present. A generous sample of other modern versions of Beowulf sheds light on the process of translating the poem.

Series: Broadview Literary Texts

Paperback: 248 pages

Publisher: Broadview Press; 1 edition (December 1, 1999)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1551111896

ISBN-13: 978-1551111896

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #372,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #31 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Ancient & Medieval Literature > Medieval #48 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > European > Norse & Icelandic Sagas #320 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Themes & Styles > Epic

RM Liuzza's long-awaited translation of the Old English epic is a wonderful way for people who do not read Old English to get to know this poem. Liuzza preserves much of the feel of Beowulf, from the rhythm to the alliteration. Students of Old English will also find the book a useful tool for checking their own understanding of the poem. The appendices in the back are very useful, and it's a beautiful book besides. I can't reccomend it enough, heck, buy it in hardcover.

When I began to write A Companion to Beowulf, I surveyed many translations and considered closely about half a dozen. I was going to need to draw on just one translation in quoting lines, and I wanted it to be a clear, poetic, accurate translation. After considering ones that were older, more classroom-standard, or more famous, I finally chose Roy Liuzza's.Translating Beowulf is difficult. The language uses many words that are directly related to modern English; words like "winter" and "gold" appear in the poem. Some words seem utterly foreign to modern English, while a great intermediate range of words developed into modern English forms, but had different meanings in Anglo-Saxon. Word order in Anglo-Saxon could be quite different, and then in poetry, the word order became more complicated as part of the artistry. Colorful phrases known as kennings often stood in for plain words. The music of the lines lay not in rhyme but in patterns of word stress and repeated alliteration. All of these elements make translation word choices very difficult. Every translation must sacrifice something. Either it must use words that are more distant from the original choices, or it may sound too primitive and stiff. Either it must lose the poetic rhythms to greater accuracy, or it must preserve the poetry by using awkward or inaccurately substituted images.A good translation is one that makes the fewest sacrifices. The translator has shown a knack for thinking of a modern word or phrase that copies the ancient rhythm or sound, or he has found a way to make the antique artificiality of expression unbend and seem to come to life again. Roy Liuzza's translation is one of the best in this sense. It is accurate, readable, and distinctly alive.Check out my student guide, which coordinates with and uses Liuzza's translation: [...]

This is a fluent and interesting translation in its own right, and a very useful companion for those attempting to read Beowulf in Old English--Liuzza follows the original rather closely, and has made sense of the often tangled syntax. His language is clear and straightforward--Seamus Heany's version is perhaps more beautiful, but much further from the OE text.

To begin with, what I ordered from was a used copy of this book for $1 + S&H. Expected to receive a raged beat-up piece of scrap but, SURPRISE, the book I received was in perfect NEW condition. The only clue that I found that it was used was the very rare appearance if small highlighting marks.Now, down to the greatness of this book! It is the most comprehensive volume imaginable in its content and layout. It has well laid out 'Contents', 'Acknowledgements', 'Preface', 'Introduction' (very extensive and knowledgeable), the actual text is extremely easy to understand and comprehend, a very complete and understandable glossary of proper names, 'Genealogies', a short coverage of The Geatish-Swedish Wars, a very complete 'Appendix', and a special section on 'Works Cited and Recommended Reading'. All extremely well laid out and easily read and understood.Mr. Liuzza's text is extremely readable and understandable and I consider this to be THE end of searching for an extremely accurate and modern translation of this great historical epic.Highly recommended!!!And thank you, , for the opportunity and a great buy!

Liuzza painstakingly strives for accuracy, while creating a poetic, readable translation. Far superior to any Modern English translation on the market today. Defeats Heaney easily - if only the sales records of these two volumes could be reversed.Liuzza adds an illuminating, understandable introduction, as well as the most useful references - including translations of other brief works that relate to Beowulf. Not to be underestimated is the fact that the book is still small enough to fit in a cargo pocket, unlike some of its more voluminous brethren. For students of Old English, this literal translation is immensely helpfulKeep this in mind: Roy Liuzza is a scholar who has dedicated his life to Medieval Studies and Anglo-Saxon literature. Seamus Heaney is a well-known poet.If your goal is to "Read, Understand, and Enjoy Beowulf in Modern English," this is the book for you.

I'm really pleased with my purchase of this Beowulf translation. Its flowing language makes it a pleasure to read, while also providing an accurate and academic translation. It makes translating from the original a much easier process.

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