Beowulf

by Jodi-Anne George

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350310063
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/09/2009
Series:	Readers' Guides to Essential Criticism
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	335 KB

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. She has published widely on early drama, Anglo-Saxon poetry and the Pre-Raphaelites, and her previous publications include the volume on Geoffrey Chaucer: The General Prologue which is also in the Readers' Guides series.

Table 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.