Beowulf - Ten Translations

Beowulf - Translated by Johann Köberl - I believe this version of Beowulf was translated by Johann Köberl, but I am unsure of the year. It features the Old English and Modern English lines of the poem side-by-side.

Beowulf - Translated by Clarence Griffin Child - This PDF file contains Clarence Griffin Child's translation of Beowulf and his notes, but does not include his lengthy introductory sketch. It is also a very clear copy to read. This translation was published in in 1904.

Beowulf (with Introductory Sketch) - Translated by Clarence Griffin Child - This is Clarence Griffen Child's translation of Beowulf, including both is notes and his lengthy introductory sketch. This PDF file consists of actual images from the pages of the book. Child's translation was published in 1904.

Beowulf - Translated by Chauncey Brewster Tinker - This is a 1902 translation of Beowulf, and the PDF file consists of actual images from the pages of the book.

Beowulf - Translated by A. Diedrich Wackerbarth - This is a 1849 translation of Beowulf, and the PDF file consists of actual images from the pages of the book.

Beowulf - Translated by Francis B. Gummere - This is a 1910 translation of Beowulf, with notes.

Beowulf - Translated by J. Lesslie Hall - This is a 1892 translation of Beowulf.

Beowulf - Translated by Wentworth Huyshe - This is a 1907 translation.

Beowulf - Translated by H. W. Lumsden - This is an 1883 translation. 

Beowulf - Translated by William Morris & A. J. Hyatt - This is an 1895 translation.

Beowulf - Translated by Thomas Arnold - This is a 1876 translation of Beowulf, and the PDF file consists of actual images from the pages of the book. It includes a lengthy introduction, and the poem appears in Old English with the Modern English translation and extensive notes below it on each page.

Notes on Beowulf - Written by Thomas Arnold - This is a 1878 book consists of notes, observations, and essays on Beowulf by Thomas Arnold. This PDF file consists of actual images from the pages of the book.


If you are going to buy a translation of Beowulf in book-form, I enjoyed reading Seamus Heaney's award-winning 2000 translation, Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. It is available in a bilingual version with the Old English and Modern translation side-by-side, or in a version that includes numerous literary and historical essays about Beowulf. Either way, I don't think you could go wrong with this one...

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