Review (PDF) The Poetic Edda: The Heroic Poems (Dover Value Editions)
Passed down long ago from poet to poet and singer to singer in the great oral tradition of Scandinavia, this collection of heroic sagas explores a mythical world. Incorporating legends of Norse gods and heroes, great fires and floods, superhuman warriors and doomed lovers, these dramatic poems weave vivid portraits of powerful characters caught up in passion, ambition, and destiny. Filled with gripping conceptions of the world's creation and ultimate destruction, the verses chronicle the triumphs and tragedies of a lost mythological past, where words of wisdom and beauty echoed off the steel of waving swords.The hero poems of The Poetic Edda are literary monuments that have inspired such luminaries as Richard Wagner and J. R. R. Tolkien. This Dover edition, which includes exceptionally detailed and complete translations by Henry Adams Bellows, will continue to enchant new generations of readers. It is a companion to The Poetic Edda: The Mythological Poems, also available from Dover Publications.
Series: Dover Value Editions
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; Tra edition (July 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486460215
ISBN-13: 978-0486460215
Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #450,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #54 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Regional & Cultural > European > Norse & Icelandic Sagas #101 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Ancient, Classical & Medieval > Medieval #429 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Ancient, Classical & Medieval > Ancient & Classical
I have read this translation on Sacred Texts.com, and I thought it was great, not just good. Most people I discuss the Eddas with, that endeavor to revive the old Norse/Germanic religion, prefer this translation over others because of the accuracy of the translation AND the meter. The translator didn't have to sacrifice one for the other, so I've heard from people who know more than I do.
The Poetic Edda, The Heroic PoemsTranslated by Henry A. Bellows.This edition should have a volume II somewhere in the title, `The Mythological Poems', being volume I and "The Prose Edda: Tales from Norse Mythology", being vol. III. This is a fairly reliable and readable translation of 21 of the heroic poems of early "Norse & Germanic" literature. While I would not recommend that Bellows be your only translation source for these poems, the Dover Editions are probably the most economical to buy and it is readily available at most well stocked book stores or on . Also remember that these translations are nearly a century old and may be a bit archaic to someone who is not accustom to reading older translations. Also, Bellows was correct in his introduction, the Vigfusson and Powell translation into prose is quite lacking.All and all I recommend this work for anyone who enjoys reading about and or the study of, the old Norse and Germanic stories. Again, this should not be your only copy of these works but it will probably be your first, enjoy!Spence the Elder"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"-M. Addams-
The second half of the Poetic Edda as published by Dover. Easily one of the best translations out there, Bellows is exceptionally through with informative foot notes, easy to read translations, and the Heroic Lays as close to their original form as possible. Along with the first half of the Poetic Edda (the Mythological Lays), this is one of the most complete and well translated versions of the Norse myths out there to date. Must have for any Heathen or fan of Norse mythology!
The Poetic Edda is a collection of Scandinavian mythology and history, that come together to form one of my personal favorite literary works. The meter and use of figurative language are unmatched from its time. This meticulous translation succeeds in reproducing the verse patterns, the rhythm, the mood, and the dignity of the original in a revision that ought grace anyone's bookshelf. It set up the entirety of literary works in Northern Europe for centuries, and stands as a placeholder of when humanity took a step in the right direction, culturally. I highly recommend it.
Breathtaking . This is my favorite translation . He has done a great job in making this available to English readers , while preserving much of its original writting style . We should of been taught these in school . Wonderful storytelling .
Almost exactly as I imagined it. The only issue I had is that this book and the first half of the Poetic Edda ("The Mythological Poems") are not the same height!!! They're both translated by the same guy, both published by Dover. You'd think they'd cut the pages to the same height so they can sit in a shelf together and look like a pair...in the picture, you can see the first half is just a bit taller. Just enough to set off my OCD.Respectfully,Nathan Hard-HeartP.S. The funny bottles of juice holding the books up is Mead! Yes, really real Mead. :-)
I've only glanced at the contents, but so far it seems great. I bought this book together with "The Poetic Edda; The Mythological Poems," translated by Henry Adams Bellows. I'm more than halfway through that volume, and I think buying both volumes together was a good move.
This is the best āwending I have found of the Edda, and throughout the book the bottom half of eaċh leaf is held for H.A. Bellows'es thoughts and findings on the marked wordset . There is a foreword to eaċh tale, as well. The only thing I have found that is wrong is not in the work, but the book itself; the binding is already coming off the first leafs, from midway to the the top. I do wish this came in a hardcover, as this work lends itself to suċh a skin.
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