Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary
Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell is a book presenting J.R.R. Tolkien's prose translation of the Old English medieval epic poem Beowulf. It was edited by Christopher Tolkien and published in 2014.
The translation is followed by Tolkien's own commentary on the poem, which was selected by Christopher from Tolkien's lectures. Furthermore, the book includes the previously unpublished short story "Sellic Spell" and two versions of the poem "The Lay of Beowulf".
Contents
- Preface
- Introduction to the Translation
- Beowulf
- Notes on the text of the Translation
- Introductory note to the Commentary
- Commentary
- Sellic Spell
- The Lay of Beowulf
Background
Tolkien worked on two translations of "Beowulf", one in alliterative verse, another in prose. While the former was left unfinished, the latter was completed in April 1926.
According to Colin Duriez, Tolkien "certainly showed his friend the first of two prose translations of Beowulf he made in the late 1920s or early 1930s, as the typescript contains amendments in what is more than probably Lewis's handwriting.This indicates that Lewis read and commented on the translation. Tolkien incorporated the emendations into his final version".
Tolkien already remarked on his translation of Beowulf in 1940 in his "Prefatory Remarks on Prose Translation of 'Beowulf'", published in Beowulf and the Finnsburg Fragment. Two passages (one verse and one prose) from the translations appeared in J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator.
In the mid-2000s, Michael D.C. Drout worked on an edition of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf, but the Tolkien Estate withdrew permission for the project.
Tolkien's opinion on publication
In a discussion at facebook Nelson Goering noted that the original press release for the Beowulf translation quotes Christopher Tolkien as saying that his father seems never to have considered its publication. But Scull & Hammond's entry on Beowulf seems to suggest that he did actually make slight moves in that direction:
And Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond replied:
Possible mistake
Rocke or Recke
In a discussion group at Facebook, Renée Vink noted a possible error in Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary and asked:
Carl F. Hostetter forwarded the question to Christopher Tolkien himself, who replied:
Publication history and gallery
- HarperCollins hardcover (2014), pp. 448. ISBN 0007590067
- HarperCollins hardcover with slipcase (2014), ISBN 0007590075
- HarperCollins paperback (2016), ISBN 0007590091
- HarperCollins hardcover with reversable dustjacket (2025), ISBN 978-0008737757 (box) - (Centenary set #5)
- 2016 paperback edition, 14th impression (2026)
Reviews
- Michael D.C. Drout, Review of the book, Tolkien Studies vol.12
- "J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality" by John Garth
- Waving His Wand at ‘Beowulf’ at The New York Times
- Shivering in Tolkien’s shadow at Prospect
- Beowulf translation commentary jrr tolkien review at The Guardian
- J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beowulf translation finally arrives at slate.com
- Beowulf, translated by JRR Tolkien, review at Telegraph
- J.R.R. Tolkien's Beowulf Translation by Michael Drout
- J.R.R. Tolkien: waving his wand at Beowulf at Sidney Morning Herald
- Tolkien and Beowulf by Jerry Salyer at catholicworldreport
Referencias
1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 21/05/2026.
