Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
by Seamus Heaney
Beowulf is a foundational text included in our Mater Amabilis high school plans for ninth grade English (Level 5 Year 1). Though you don't have to follow all of the plans, the history plans for ninth grade include references to Beowulf, so they complement each other. (The history honors lectures schedule The Anglo-Saxon World which includes even more details on Beowulf, and is highly enjoyable.)
Beowulf is an adventurer who follows stories of a monster to the Daneland, where he kills first Gendel and later Grendel's mother. Many years later, he vanquishes a dragon in his own land, though he loses his life in the struggle.
I haven't read Beowulf in any other translation, but this one was clearly understandable and enjoyable. There is an introduction by the translator that discusses Beowulf for some context and provides some insights into his translation. I read it, and motivated students may find it interesting, but it's not included in the Mater Amabilis plans.
This bilingual edition of Seamus Heaney's new translation of Beowulf shows the Anglo-Saxon on the left page and a modern English translation on the right. Also, the margins on the right have helpful notes describing the poem, like section headings. Line numbers are included.
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