Beowulf

Beowulf demonstrating exceptional strength and bravery confronts and defeats Grendel in a fierce battle. When Grendel’s mother seeks revenge Beowulf ventures into her underwater lair and slays her as well. His feats of valor win him fame and he eventually becomes king of the Geats. The latter portion of the epic shifts to Beowulf’s reign now as an aging king when he faces his final challenge: a dragon that threatens his people. Despite his advanced age Beowulf courageously battles the dragon but he succumbs to his wounds leaving a legacy of heroism. Raffel’s translation of Beowulf stands out for its ability to convey the poem's themes of heroism fate and the clash between good and evil while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original. By using modern language and maintaining the epic’s powerful tone Raffel’s version continues to be a widely appreciated entry point for readers exploring this foundational piece of literature.