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Beowulf: Translation and Commentary
Beowulf , composed around 700 A.D., is the first great epic poem in the English language. It tells the timeless story of a hero’s fight against monsters and sets it against a complex background of political intrigue and tribal warfare. Situated in sixth-century Scandinavia, the poem brings to life a magnificent world that fuses history with fantasy.
Tom Shippey’s new translation of Beowulf , reflecting a lifetime of engagement with the poem, makes its story clearer and more compelling than it has ever been. The original Old English text of Beowulf is included along with an extensive and innovative commentary, which guides the reader passage-by-passage through the poem and its criticism.
In addition to the text, translation, and commentary, this volume contains an extensive bibliography, a translator’s preface, and an appended essay by Tom Shippey on “Tolkien and Beowulf� A Lifelong Involvement.�
Tom Shippey’s new translation of Beowulf , reflecting a lifetime of engagement with the poem, makes its story clearer and more compelling than it has ever been. The original Old English text of Beowulf is included along with an extensive and innovative commentary, which guides the reader passage-by-passage through the poem and its criticism.
In addition to the text, translation, and commentary, this volume contains an extensive bibliography, a translator’s preface, and an appended essay by Tom Shippey on “Tolkien and Beowulf� A Lifelong Involvement.�
428 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2023
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123 people want to read
About the author
Tom Shippey
57Ìýbooks160ÌýfollowersThomas Alan Shippey is a British medievalist, a retired scholar of Middle and Old English literature as well as of modern fantasy and science fiction. He is considered one of the world's leading academic experts on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien about whom he has written several books and many scholarly papers. His book The Road to Middle-Earth has been called "the single best thing written on Tolkien".
Shippey's education and academic career have in several ways retraced those of Tolkien: he attended King Edward's School, Birmingham, became a professional philologist, occupied Tolkien's professorial chair at the University of Leeds, and taught Old English at the University of Oxford to the syllabus that Tolkien had devised.
He has received three Mythopoeic Awards and a World Fantasy Award. He participated in the creation of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, assisting the dialect coaches. He featured as an expert medievalist in all three of the documentary DVDs that accompany the special extended edition of the trilogy, and later also that of The Hobbit film trilogy.
Also publishes as T.A. Shippey.
Shippey's education and academic career have in several ways retraced those of Tolkien: he attended King Edward's School, Birmingham, became a professional philologist, occupied Tolkien's professorial chair at the University of Leeds, and taught Old English at the University of Oxford to the syllabus that Tolkien had devised.
He has received three Mythopoeic Awards and a World Fantasy Award. He participated in the creation of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, assisting the dialect coaches. He featured as an expert medievalist in all three of the documentary DVDs that accompany the special extended edition of the trilogy, and later also that of The Hobbit film trilogy.
Also publishes as T.A. Shippey.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 16, 2025
So, good news and bad news for me:
Bad News - I have a 2,000 English essay due soon at University.
Good News - That means I have to reread Beowulf
Love this translation by Tom Shippey. In my opinion it strikes a fantastic balance between delivering an honest translation whilst still exploring a specific perspective and take on this epic narrative poem. Translations offer a variety of options so that, whilst the journey of the narrative remains the same, the subtleties change. Personally, I love this version of Beowulf more than any other that I have read. Atmospheric, immersive and entertaining!
Bad News - I have a 2,000 English essay due soon at University.
Good News - That means I have to reread Beowulf
Love this translation by Tom Shippey. In my opinion it strikes a fantastic balance between delivering an honest translation whilst still exploring a specific perspective and take on this epic narrative poem. Translations offer a variety of options so that, whilst the journey of the narrative remains the same, the subtleties change. Personally, I love this version of Beowulf more than any other that I have read. Atmospheric, immersive and entertaining!
August 10, 2024
The commentary, appendices, and explanations are what make this the copy of Beowulf I couldn't do without. Notes on terms like wyrd and orcneas and Beowulf's direct influence on The Lord of the Rings are highlights for me. I have a strong preference for Dr. Shippey's writing style and his way of laying out evidence for the positions he takes. He writes in the preface that he was aiming for clarity, cultural context, and a bit of common sense, just as he thinks the Beowulf poet was doing. He succeeds on all fronts.
September 16, 2023
I've taught three different translations of Beowulf over the past two decades, and Shippey's is my favorite by far. It reads most like a story without sacrificing the poetic. Neidorf's introductory material is clear and informative--accessible to my typical high schoolers and engaging for my scholarly students as well. The translation itself offers a clear picture into the cultural context and will give students and all readers insights into history as well as their own places in our contemporary world. On a final note, Neidorf's commentary is invaluable as a teaching and learning tool. I am developing a list of amazing things I've learned already, but tops on it right now is an answer to a question about why Beowulf went to such efforts to cut the head of the already dead Grendel. See pages 298-299 to find out!
December 22, 2023
I definitely liked the Introduction, the Commentary and the Appendix. The translation itself, though, seemed to be a bit less satisfying than I expected (I have to admit I didn't read the translation through, but just used it to help with my understanding of the original). Tom Shippey is undoubtedly an absolute authority (alliteration unintended - extending even to these words 😂) in this field (oh I like his research on J. R. R. Tolkien!), while I'm simply a beginner and in no position to judge, but I couldn't help but notice places where I would prefer to understand some OE words differently (according to the glossaries/dictionaries I consulted), perhaps because I'm not immune to influences of other versions I had read (or rather, skimmed) previously. I really should like to make a small list of all my arrogant suspicions but then I'm not properly qualified and certainly not paid. LOL. Proof-reading is also not perfect (e.g., '...reads though' should be '...reads through', inter alia). That said, I would recommend this book.
September 2, 2023
I highly recommend this new book. A must-read for anyone interested in Beowulf and medieval literature! I would say it contains everything I can ever expect from a book on similar topics: 428 pages long, original text and line-by-line translation set in facing pages, a thorough commentary (such a rich hoard of critical literature that saves me a lot of trouble when looking into certain lines!), and an appendix on Tolkien's life-long engagement with Beowulf. Maybe one day this will be used as textbooks for students like me who is interested in engaging in Beowulf studies. I find it extremely helpful when delving into the text.
November 4, 2023
The translation remains clear and understandable while preserving the original text's complexity. The commentary aids in comprehension and delves into the interpretive difficulties and the poem's cultural and historical background. This book is an appealing introduction and a thorough guide to the epic. It is highly recommended for both scholars familiar with Old English literature and those new to the field!
September 13, 2023
A treasure worthy of any hoard. This has a side by side modern English with the Old English, using the 4th edition of Klaeber’s with a few more to boot, Goering and Drout’s 6a “Eorle� for instance. The commentary with accompanying bibliography is grand, and each word put in by both Shippey and Neidorf is worth your time.
January 28, 2025
Much better translation than Tolkien’s, easier to read but doesn’t diminish from the key points of the poem. Having Old English and Modern English facing each other throughout the pages is great to follow along with and the commentary and additional content before and after the translation are useful for academics
September 2, 2023
This edition of Beowulf is one for the home library. With Neidorf's intro and an enormous bibliography, it is the critical text for our generation.
September 8, 2023
A remarkable new translation of Beowulf accompanied by an insightful commentary! Strongly recommend!
November 1, 2024
Helps a lot to understand the Beowulf text.
Read
December 1, 2024Marking as "read" for the commentary section. Only skimmed the translation itself but it seems solid, though I'd quibble with the renditions of the passages I know best.
January 12, 2024
I've been a fan of both of these scholars and a Beowulf-studier for a long time. Here are the two use cases that this volume is particularly ideal for:
1. An English-focused reading that wants to refer to the OE to aid in understanding textual critical arguments and other close readings using a translation made by, in my estimation, the greatest living Beowulf scholar (and Tolkien scholar for that matter).
2. *Subsequent* passes through the Old English by sophisticated readers who have read it in the original before and need only a glance at a close English translation to aid them while reading.
It is as a #2 reader that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The translation is superb and accurate, very readable while also laid out as (almost) line-by-line free verse such that it is easy to switch between languages. This alone makes it better than Fulk's Dumbarton Oaks version which was my previous go-to bilingual text.
Neidorf's commentary is also excellent. He presents scholarly opinions on various cruxes with fairness without compromising his own point of view while inviting the reader to explore the scholarship on their own with a very convenient system for weaving the bibliography into the commentary. Likewise, the introductory material is effective--not least in its concision relative to something like Klaeber.
The Tolkienian appendix may feel, perhaps, a little out of place for that rare reader who might come to this translation without knowledge of Shippey's Tolkien scholarship. Let this essay whet their appetite.
I would absolutely use this as a textbook in a college class of medieval literature students reading the poem in translation; for a general audience, possibly not. In my opinion, Klaeber is still better for use in a first-time OE translation class because of its more sophisticated notes, critical apparatus and glossary. But as a reading edition for the Old English veteran, this book really shines.
1. An English-focused reading that wants to refer to the OE to aid in understanding textual critical arguments and other close readings using a translation made by, in my estimation, the greatest living Beowulf scholar (and Tolkien scholar for that matter).
2. *Subsequent* passes through the Old English by sophisticated readers who have read it in the original before and need only a glance at a close English translation to aid them while reading.
It is as a #2 reader that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The translation is superb and accurate, very readable while also laid out as (almost) line-by-line free verse such that it is easy to switch between languages. This alone makes it better than Fulk's Dumbarton Oaks version which was my previous go-to bilingual text.
Neidorf's commentary is also excellent. He presents scholarly opinions on various cruxes with fairness without compromising his own point of view while inviting the reader to explore the scholarship on their own with a very convenient system for weaving the bibliography into the commentary. Likewise, the introductory material is effective--not least in its concision relative to something like Klaeber.
The Tolkienian appendix may feel, perhaps, a little out of place for that rare reader who might come to this translation without knowledge of Shippey's Tolkien scholarship. Let this essay whet their appetite.
I would absolutely use this as a textbook in a college class of medieval literature students reading the poem in translation; for a general audience, possibly not. In my opinion, Klaeber is still better for use in a first-time OE translation class because of its more sophisticated notes, critical apparatus and glossary. But as a reading edition for the Old English veteran, this book really shines.
February 24, 2025
Reviewing Beowulf For The First Time as a Seasoned Fantasy Reader
April 6, 2024
With supplementary materials included, this book is an invaluable resource for scholars and newcomers alike. Highly recommended for anyone interested in delving deeper into the world of Beowulf!
April 12, 2024
A rich hoard of materials and I like the newly incorporated Finnesburg Fragment material. To me it represents the best of Anglo-Saxon heroic literature!
April 14, 2024
With supplementary materials included, this book is an invaluable resource for scholars and newcomers alike. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the world of Beowulf!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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