"When I began this project [translation of Beowulf ] with a leave from Mohawk College, I ran into several acquaintances who, when I began to explain what I was doing, responded, "Oh, Beowulf? ~ I just love Beowulf!" Most of these people were not particularly scholarly or studious, and their knowledge of the poem would have come from one of the many translations presently available.... Nevertheless the poem had reached them profoundly in some way. I believe that for many readers the poem is very moving. It seems to me that when we speak of the meaning of the poem we actually refer to the relationship that its various readers develop with it.
"The values expressed in Beowulf are still respected in our culture, though now as then, probably, they are honoured more in the breach than the observance. They include stoic bravery in the face of death, loyalty especially to one's kin, friends and dryhten, caring about personal reputation, generosity, a willingness to act, not just talk,and the litany of virtues attributed to Beowulf at the end of the poem."
~ Michael Walton, The book of beowulf, 2007.
Reminder: Mike will be in The Neat L'l Bookshop today at 1:00 p.m. to discuss his translation of Beowulf. It's informal. Everyone welcome.
