Beowulf: Bro! Why should I read this? How do I read this?

This video examines some of the language in Beowulf, specifically the new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley. Key questions addressed: Why should I read Beowulf? How should I read Beowulf? Literary concepts discussed: alliteration, tension between line and syntax, tension between stressed and unstressed syllables.

Special note: I misspelled the word alliteration in my notes. I wrote "illiteration," which makes me seem illiterate. Apologies. I hope we all learned something about making mistakes and self-forgiveness through this experience.

[NickyLindolls]

Thank you so much for this breakdown. I recently found the book on amazon and read all the reviews. Especially the scathing ones. They didn’t say much other than “this shouldn’t have been written”. That didn’t help much🤣. So I came to YouTube and searched for a critical review to see how bad it really is. You’ve convinced me that even though the language has been modernized it isn’t changed from its original feeling. I also learned how to properly enjoy the poem. Thank you!

[kevinmccarthy]

Is there any way I could Headley's Beowulf as one of my official "works in translation" with my HLs (potentially paired with John Gardner's Grendel)? Or does it have to be one of the free choice selections since neither Headley nor Beowulf's anonymous author are on the list of prescribed authors?