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Beowulf: The Donaldson Translation, Backgrounds and Sources, Criticism

  • Genre/Type Descriptor(s)
    Translation from Old English
     
    Language(s)
    English
  • Translator
    Donaldson, E. Talbot
    Compiling Editor
    Tuso, Joseph F.
    Contributor
    Hughes, Robert C.
    Contributor
    Greenfield, Stanley B.
    Contributor
    Donaldson, E. Talbot
    Contributor
    Stanley, E. G.
    Contributor
    Whitelock, Dorothy
    Contributor
    Malone, Kemp
    Contributor
    Klaeber, Frederick
    Contributor
    Klaeber, Friedrich
    Contributor
    Chambers, R. W.
    Contributor
    Wrenn, C. L.
    Contributor
    Arnold, Ralph
    Contributor
    Tolkien, J. R. R.
    Contributor
    Sisam, Kenneth
    Contributor
    Kaske, R. E.
    Contributor
    Goldsmith, Margaret E.
    Contributor
    Lee, Alvin A.
    Contributor
    Leyerle, John
    Contributor
    Cassidy, Frederic G.
    Contributor
    Ringler, Richard N.
    Contributor
    Baum, Paull F.
    Contributor
    Dobbie, Elliott Van Kirk
    Contributor
    Irving, Edward B., Jr.
    Contributor
    Rebsamen, Frederick
    Contributor
    Ringler, Dick
  • City
    New York
    Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Co.
    Date
    1975
  • Relationships
    (Upstream) Reproduces in new context -> Beowulf, Donaldson, E. Talbot (1966)
  • Identifying Numbers
    ISBN: 0393044130
     
    Descriptive Notes

    205 + xviii pp. A Norton Critical Edition. The translation is reprinted in full from Donaldson, Beowulf (1966), on pp. 1-55, and followed by previously published essays (or portions of them) by many scholars, including Donaldson.

    The translation begins:

    [Prologue: The Earlier History of the Danes]

    Yes, we have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes' kings in the old days—how the princes of that people did brave deeds.

    Often Scyld Scefing took mead-benches away from enemy bands, from many tribes, terrified their nobles—after the time that he was first found helpless. He lived to find comfort for that, became great under the skies, prospered in honors until every one of those who lived about him, across the whale-road, had to obey him, pay him tribute. That was a good king. (1)

    And ends:

    Then the brave in battle rode round the mound, children of nobles, twelve in all, would bewail their sorrow and mourn their king, recite dirges and speak of the man. They praised his great deeds and his acts of courage, judged well of his prowess. So it is fitting that man honor his liege lord with words, love him in heart when he must be led forth from the body. Thus the people of the Geats, his hearth-companions, lamented the death of their lord. They said that he was of world-kings the mildest of men and the gentlest, kindest to his people, and most eager for fame. (55)

     
    Notes on Prior Documentation

    Not in MO2.

     
    Authentication

    BAM.

  • Last Updated
    03/22/2022