What a wonderful close reading and analysis of the text, really enjoying the community and connection you are creating through these Challenges. And looking forward to everything to come!
John - thank you for shepherding me (us) through Beowulf. Your guidance and structure made it doable, educational, and enjoyable!
The final section was gripping but so different from the earlier ‘chapters’. Dramatic but also elegiac. This may be a stretch but at one point I wondered if the dragon was an evil counterpoint to the almost perfect goodness of Beowulf. Good and evil, God and Satan etc etc.
Somewhat nervous about LOTR. So many years since I read it. Will I be disappointed? Can I even read anything so long??
So happy you’re joining in, Miss C. Certainly some have read the poem allegorically in the way you suggest, and there may be something to it. For me, Beowulf is the virtuous (but imperfect) man in a hostile world—fighting his own demons as well as what fate throws at him. Oh, and I don’t think that LOTR will disappoint—except for the unfortunate lack of women, which we will discuss at length. And if you need help getting through it, there is an audiobook :)
“Heaven swallowed the smoke.” Other translators abide our question, Heaney is free. Thank you for the superbly illuminating discussion of the significance of the dragon. In this last third the poem goes from a great one to a timeless masterpiece. I am very grateful to have had you as my guide to Beowulf!
It also strikes me that the poet is deliberately contrasting the ending of the poem, where he exalts Beowulf for being the "mildest" and "most gracious" of kings, with the beginning, when he lists the conquests of the kings of yore like Shylfing and saying "That was one good king." Beowulf changed the poet's mind about what it means to be a "good king"!
What a great poetic ride this has been. Thank you for the deeper understanding I will bring to every future reading of BEOWULF. I’ve always found the ending unremittingly dark, and yet the last lines are an affirmation of purpose. You leave me wondering how Wiglaf will carry Beowulf’s legacy. The relationship between the two became a focal point for me in this latest reading (actually a listening on the morning dog walk). Like a loving father, Beowulf wants Wiglaf out of the final battle with the dragon. Yet Wiglaf heeds the example of his lord, not the words. His actions are proof that “winning fame” is doing the right thing with loyalty, courage and kindness. An aside: Listening heightened the physical drama of the poem. The poet spun out the fatal struggle with a masterly command of suspense. I thought of kids listening to the bard at the fireside, hearts in their throats. You don’t have to think about the poem to be swept away by it.
I’m delighted to have you joining us; your comments have been so thoughtful and helpful. Mitchell & Robinson was how I got my start. In grad school, we spent one semester going through M&R and the next semester translating Beowulf. So much fun. And do send us a report from Beowulf’s Barrow :)
What a wonderful close reading and analysis of the text, really enjoying the community and connection you are creating through these Challenges. And looking forward to everything to come!
Thanks, Plain Jane! Looking forward to collaborating with you on Emma this summer.
John - thank you for shepherding me (us) through Beowulf. Your guidance and structure made it doable, educational, and enjoyable!
The final section was gripping but so different from the earlier ‘chapters’. Dramatic but also elegiac. This may be a stretch but at one point I wondered if the dragon was an evil counterpoint to the almost perfect goodness of Beowulf. Good and evil, God and Satan etc etc.
Somewhat nervous about LOTR. So many years since I read it. Will I be disappointed? Can I even read anything so long??
So happy you’re joining in, Miss C. Certainly some have read the poem allegorically in the way you suggest, and there may be something to it. For me, Beowulf is the virtuous (but imperfect) man in a hostile world—fighting his own demons as well as what fate throws at him. Oh, and I don’t think that LOTR will disappoint—except for the unfortunate lack of women, which we will discuss at length. And if you need help getting through it, there is an audiobook :)
“Heaven swallowed the smoke.” Other translators abide our question, Heaney is free. Thank you for the superbly illuminating discussion of the significance of the dragon. In this last third the poem goes from a great one to a timeless masterpiece. I am very grateful to have had you as my guide to Beowulf!
I’m so glad that you came along for the ride!
It also strikes me that the poet is deliberately contrasting the ending of the poem, where he exalts Beowulf for being the "mildest" and "most gracious" of kings, with the beginning, when he lists the conquests of the kings of yore like Shylfing and saying "That was one good king." Beowulf changed the poet's mind about what it means to be a "good king"!
Thank you John for all your work! This was an eye-opening experience whuch makes me excited about all the future readings ahead!
What a great poetic ride this has been. Thank you for the deeper understanding I will bring to every future reading of BEOWULF. I’ve always found the ending unremittingly dark, and yet the last lines are an affirmation of purpose. You leave me wondering how Wiglaf will carry Beowulf’s legacy. The relationship between the two became a focal point for me in this latest reading (actually a listening on the morning dog walk). Like a loving father, Beowulf wants Wiglaf out of the final battle with the dragon. Yet Wiglaf heeds the example of his lord, not the words. His actions are proof that “winning fame” is doing the right thing with loyalty, courage and kindness. An aside: Listening heightened the physical drama of the poem. The poet spun out the fatal struggle with a masterly command of suspense. I thought of kids listening to the bard at the fireside, hearts in their throats. You don’t have to think about the poem to be swept away by it.
I’m delighted to have you joining us; your comments have been so thoughtful and helpful. Mitchell & Robinson was how I got my start. In grad school, we spent one semester going through M&R and the next semester translating Beowulf. So much fun. And do send us a report from Beowulf’s Barrow :)