Posted on 04/29/2016 8:46:09 PM PDT by zeugma
Gilgamesh is also excellent. Much of that story is lost. We have much of it, but there are gaps. I’m a big fan of literature that has withstood the passage of time. Time seems to winnow out the wheat from the chaff quite effectively.
On the other hand, some things seem to survive despite their shortcomings. I’ve never been a big fan of Shakespeare. Yeah, I’ll give him some props - the St. Crispins soliloquy is bloody awesome. Overall though, not a fan.
I read it in the old English and in translation when I was in college.
I now have the most incredible, strongest, meanest son of a bitch snow blower ever. It chugs through two feet of snow and laughs (growls and howls).
I call it Grendel. After the job is done, it’s my friend Grendy.
It’s the most incredible, strongest, meanest winter friend ever.
I love it when people hear my beloved winter beast is affectionately named Grendel. Only a few get it, the rest have this strange look as if to say “Grendel? Is that Hansel’s older brother that has a snow plow business? Do you have his card? Your driveway is immaculate.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaB0trCztM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsxxg5P-DnY
Seamus Heaney’s version on youtube.
terrific translation.
Used it in homeschooling the kids.
IMHO the gold standard in Beowulf
My high school English teacher read Beowulf in Middle English. While incomprehensible, the inflections conveyed the emotions of the tale.
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