This essential overview of the large body of Beowulf criticism takes a chronological approach, moving from eighteenth-century reactions to twenty-first-century responses. Jodi-Anne George charts the changes in critical trends and also discusses popular culture's continuing fascination with the Old English poem.

An invaluable guide to the criticism surrounding a widelystudied Old English poem
Explores the full range of critical approaches, from eighteenthcentury reactions to twentyfirstcentury responses
Includes discussion of the relationship between 'Beowulf' and popular culture

Autorentext

Jodi-Anne George

Klappentext

Of unknown authorship, Beowulf is an Old English epic poem which incites contentious debate and has been endlessly interpreted over the centuries. This Reader's Guide provides a much-needed overview of the large body of Beowulf criticism, moving from 18th century reactions to 21st century responses. Jodi-Ann George: - Charts the changes in critical trends and theoretical approaches applied to the poem. - Includes discussion of J. R. R. Tolkein's pioneering 1936 lecture on Beowulf , and Seamus Heaney's recent translation. - Analyses Beowulf in popular culture, addressing the poem's life in film versions, graphic novels, music and comics. Clear and engaging, this is an indispensable introductory guide to a widely-studied and enigmatic work which continues to fascinate readers everywhere.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements .- Introduction: Hwaet!.- 'Rude beginning': 1705-1899 .- 'Conflicting babel': 1900-1931.-The Monsters Meet the Critics: the 1930s and 1940s.- The Debates Continue: the 1950s and 1960s.- Stock-taking: the 1970s.- Critics on the Crest of a Wave: the 1980s.- An Embarrassment of Critical Riches: the 1990s-Present .- 'Beowulf' in Popular Culture .- Conclusion.- Notes.- Select Bibliography.- Index.