Beowulf »

One of our most popular, respected, and controversial literary critics, Yale University professor Harold Bloom s books about, variously, Shakespeare, the Bible, and the classic literature are as erudite as they are accessible.

Edited and introduced by Yale University professor and distinguished literary critic Harold Bloom, Bloom's Guides is a collection of comprehensive study guides for both students and adults. Emphasizing summary and analysis, these guides are designed to provide the necessary materials with which readers can gain a better understanding of the most widely read works in Western literature.

Introductions by renowned critic Harold Bloom consider each work and its significance.

Brief biographical sketches offer insight into each author's life.

"The Story Behind the Story" details the circumstances surrounding the inception and development of the work.

Summaries with analysis review and explain key points of each work.

Selections from critical essays written by leading scholars provide accessible explorations of the work.

Annotated bibliographies direct readers to additional materials on the subject and explain the importance of each.

Essential for any student of literature looking to enhance his or her reading experience, Bloom's Guides are highly useful for test preparation, independent scholarship, or book group discussions.

Children's Literature

This interesting book of critical essays is part of a series created by Dr. Bloom to accompany his "Great Books" studies. Dr. Bloom suggests that a liberal education should include the study of 100 of the greatest books ever written. The books are the basis of this series and are listed in the beginning of this book. There is debate, of course, on the inclusion of so many ethnocentric books on the list. This edition on Beowulf examines the ninth century, Old English poem of unknown authorship that is routinely foisted on high school and college students. Following Bloom's brief introduction discussing whether the poem is an epic poem and of Christian origin, the subsequent eleven essays take elements of the poem such as its structure, philosophical origin, heroism, and the meaning of monsters in the poem and compares them, academically, to historical or poetic writings. Readers of this text would do well to first read the essays by John D. Niles who not only acknowledges scholars' tendency to over analyze elements of literature but, most of all, places the poem in historical context much as Jared Diamond wrote about events in Guns, Germs, and Steel. His discussions give novices reasons for even attempting Beowulf and help give meaning to it in both historic and poetic context. Reading the essays might inspire students to compare modern man's pursuit of fame and glory in sports, business, and politics to Beowulf's ambitions. A recent comic book version of Beowulf brings the tale to readers that may be challenged by the traditional form. This is from Bloom's "Modern Critical Interpretations."

Introduction 7

The Story Behind the Story 9

List of Characters 11

Summary and Analysis 13

Critical Views 27

J.R.R. Tolkien on Poetic Structure 27

Joan Blomfield on Style 32

Stanley B. Greenfield on the Epic Quality 37

Edward B. Irving, Jr. on Negative Definitions 43

T.A. Shippey on Symbols in the World of the Poem 62

James W. Earl on the Gold Hoard 67

David Williams on Cain's Progeny 69

Linda Georgianna on Beowulf's Speech before the Dragon Fight 72

Susanne Weil on Free Will 80

Paul Dean on History and the Passage of Time 86

Thomas A. Prendergast on Memory and the Idolatrous Pleasures of Heroic Poetry 95

Bibliography 102

Contributors 106

Acknowledgments 108

Index 110