Beowulf

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.>

List of contents

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.

About the author

JODI-ANNE GEORGE is Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Dundee, UK, where she also runs the JOOT Theatre Company.

Product details

• Authors: Jodi-Anne George
• Publisher: Macmillan
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 09.12.2009
• EAN: 9781403991287
• ISBN: 978-1-4039-9128-7
• No. of pages: 192
• Series: Readers' Guides to Essential Criticism; Readers Guides to Essential Cr; Readers' Guides to Essential Criticism; Readers' Guides to Essential C; Readers Guides to Essential Cr
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; B, Literature, Cultural and Media Studies, Medieval Literature, Literature, Medieval