Beowulf is an Old English epic poem of about 3,182 alliterative lines, composed by an anonymous poet, commonly called the Beowulf poet, working chiefly in the West Saxon dialect. Scholars disagree on its date of composition, with estimates ranging from the early eighth century to around the year 1000, though the single manuscript that preserves it, the Nowell Codex, was copied between 975 and 1025 and survives in the British Library despite fire damage in 1731. Set in pagan Scandinavia of the fifth and sixth centuries, the poem follows the Geatish hero Beowulf through three battles, against the monster Grendel, against Grendel's mother, and, in his old age, against a dragon that kills him. It is considered one of the most important works of Old English literature and the foundational text of the Anglo-Saxon heroic tradition.
Facts
Disputed
Composed, From (Year)The date of composition is disputed. E. Talbot Donaldson dates it to the first half of the eighth century; other scholars argue for dates as late as around the year 1000. The only certain date is for the sole surviving manuscript, produced between 975 and 1025. Composed, To (Year)Scholarly estimates run to around the year 1000; the poem's sole manuscript, the only certain date connected to the work, was produced between 975 and 1025. Classification
Original Language FAQs
Do scholars know when Beowulf was composed?
The date of the poem is disputed; only the manuscript, made between 975 and 1025, can be dated with certainty.
No. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars. The only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced between 975 and 1025. The poem itself may be considerably older, and estimates range from the early eighth century to around the year 1000.
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Sources
1. Beowulf (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature.
Composition section
E. Talbot Donaldson claims that it was probably composed during the first half of the eighth century
Lead section, importance statement
It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature.
Lead section, dating contention statement
The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars; the only certain dating is for the manuscript, which was produced between AD 975 and 1025.
Lead
is an Old English poem, an epic in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines, contained in the Nowell Codex.
Original language statement
Beowulf is an Old English epic poem of about 3,182 alliterative lines, composed by an anonymous poet, commonly called the Beowulf poet, working chiefly in the West Saxon dialect.
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