Table of Contents

Preface How To Use This Book Introduction Choosing a Translation The Hero Comes to Denmark Beowulf vs. Grendel Beowulf vs. Grendel's Mother Beowulf vs. the Dragon Literary Techniques Placing Beowulf on a Timeline Language and Poetry Religion in Beowulf Anglo-Saxon Culture Modern Adaptations of Beowulf The Beowulfian World of J.R.R. Tolkien Appendix: Glossary of Names Works Cited in the Text Further Suggested Reading

Promotional Information

Overviews the background, plot, themes, and language of Beowulf and discusses the poem's afterlife in contemporary popular culture.

About the Author

RUTH JOHNSTON STAVER is an independent scholar who specializes in Old English language and literature. She has extensive experience teaching Advanced Placement English Literature and has published on such topics as historical linguistics.

Reviews

A quick reference to Beowulf and its cultural background, this book offers a clear discussion intended to convey factual information rather than engage in cultural controversy. In addition to the expected material on Beowulf's arrival, the three battles, and his death, Staver (an independent scholar) includes chapters on the literary techniques in the poem, religion, Anglo Saxon culture, and modern adaptations of Beowolf….Nonspecialists and teachers who need a quick reference to various parts of Beowulf will appreciate this book….Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers.
*Choice*

[O]ffers the high school student or interested lay reader a well-balanced introduction to ^IBeowulf^I…
*Medium Aevum*

[W]ell organised, properly refereed, doing what it does very well, and pointing students on to full-scale scholarly material …
*English*

A 'must' for any in-depth literary collection.
*Library Bookwatch*