Summary
Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem, translated by J. Lesslie Hall, is one of the most important and enduring works of Old English literature. This heroic epic, believed to have been composed between the 8th and 11th centuries, is presented here in a poetic English translation that captures the grandeur and rhythm of the original text.
The poem follows Beowulf, a noble warrior from Geatland, who sails to Denmark to assist King Hrothgar by slaying a monstrous creature known as Grendel—a terror who has long haunted the king's great hall, Heorot. Beowulf's victory earns him fame, but his heroism is tested again when Grendel's vengeful mother emerges from her underwater lair.
Years later, as an aging king, Beowulf must face one final challenge: a fire-breathing dragon threatening his own kingdom.
Through its vivid battles, moral codes, and elegiac tone, Beowulf explores timeless themes: fate, honor, loyalty, the impermanence of life, and the conflict between good and evil.
Hall's translation retains the poem’s powerful alliterative structure and epic style, making it accessible to modern readers while honoring its historical roots.