Das altenglische Heldenepos Beowulf entstand wahrscheinlich im 8. Jahrhundert. Es handelt sich um das älteste und einzig vollständig erhaltene altgermanische Epos. Das Werk erzählt die Abenteuer des Helden Beowulf im Kampf gegen Unholde und weist an manchen Stellen märchenhafte Züge auf.
Beowulf, the major surviving poem in Old English, is composed in a language that is rich but often difficult. This edition makes the poem more accessible in its original language, and at the same time provides the materials necessary for its detailed study at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As well as supplying a full textual commentary, George Jack includes extensive running glosses beside the text in order to facilitate the reading of Beowulf for students at any stage. Also included is the text of the Finnsburh Fragment, because of its special relevance to Beowulf.
