Beowulf, the major surviving poem in Old English, is composed in a language that is rich but often difficult. This fully annotated edition makes the poem more accessible in its original language, while at the same time providing the materials necessary for its detailed study at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To facilitate understanding and fluent reading of the poem, the Old English text of Beowulf is here accompanied by an extensive running glossary which includes the greater part of the vocabulary of the poem. Words that occur more than once are glossed on each occasion. The inclusion of marginal glosses will enable readers who may be at an early stage in the study of Old English to cope more easily with the complex vocabulary of the poem. But this edition is not meant only for those who are approaching Old English for the first time; it is designed to be suitable for students at any stage, and those who are already familiar with Old English will find the marginal glosses of value in enabling Beowulf to be read more fluently. George Jack's introduction considers the origins and transmission of the poem, and provides a survey of its constituent materials. A full commentary on textual and interpretative problems, points of grammar and meaning, and matters of literary and historical context is provided, as is a guide to further reading on Beowulf. The text of the Finnsburh Fragment has also been included, because of its special relevance to Beowulf, and it is likewise accompanied by marginal glosses and notes.
Reviews
`This will surely be the standard edition of Beowulf' Dr Margaret Connolly, University College, Cork
`very student user-friendly' Dr J. A. George, Uninversity of Dundee
`it will be most useful and exactly the kind of student edition that has long been needed' Dr William Marx, University of Wales, Lampeter
`This up-to-date edition it a godsend.' Peter J. Lucas, University College, Dublin
We have long been waiting for it.' Professor Dr Heinz Bergner, Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen
presents its familiar material in a conspicuously rejuvenated way...This edition follows a current trend towards providing most of the material necessary for the study of a major work within a single volume...The introduction has detailed and authoritative discussions of all the major aspects of the poem, apart from general critical interpretation, for which the reader is referred to items in the extensive bibliography. * English *
This fully annotated edition makes the poem Beowulf more accessible in its original language, and provides the materials necessary for its detailed study by those new to Old English. * The Medieval World *
Students working through Beowulf in the original language for the first time ... may find themselves grateful for this compact, efficient, and inexpensive introduction to the poem. Every part of Jack's text is presented with meticulous accuracy - a welcome virtue in publications of this kind. References are brief but apt, expert, and up-to-date. * John D. Niles, University of California, Berkeley, Speculum - A Journal of Medieval Studies, Jan 1997 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198710448
Author George Jack
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 354g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 156mm * 20mm