BETWEEN THE LINES

Notes to Beowulf — Page 6

132 notes in J. Lesslie (John Lesslie) Hall translation. Follow a thought back to its place in the book.

Explore by chapter132 notes

XLI. THE MESSENGER’S RETROSPECT.

Note 3

The rendering given in this translation represents the king as being generous beyond the possibility of reproach; but some authorities construe ‘him’ (2996) as plu., and understand…

XLI. THE MESSENGER’S RETROSPECT.

Note 4

The name ‘Scyldingas’ here (3006) has caused much discussion, and given rise to several theories, the most important of which are as follows: (1) After the downfall of Hrothgar’s f…

XLI. THE MESSENGER’S RETROSPECT.

Note 5

B. takes ‘nihtes’ and ‘hwílum’ (3045) as separate adverbial cases, and renders: Joy in the air had he of yore by night, etc. He thinks that the idea of vanished time ought to be ex…

XLI. THE MESSENGER’S RETROSPECT.

Note 6

The parenthesis is by some emended so as to read: (1) (He (i.e. God) is the hope of men); (2) (he is the hope of heroes). Gr.’s reading has no parenthesis, but says: … could touch,…

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 1

For ‘gehýdde,’ B. suggests ‘gehýðde’: the passage would stand as above except the change of ‘hidden’ (v. 2) to ‘plundered.’ The reference, however, would be to the thief, not to th…

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 2

The passage ‘Wundur … búan’ (3063-3066), M. took to be a question asking whether it was strange that a man should die when his appointed time had come.—B. sees a corruption, and ma…

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 3

For ‘strude’ in H.-So., S. suggests ‘stride.’ This would require ‘ravage’ (v. 16) to be changed to ‘tread.’

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 4

‘He cared … sight of’ (17, 18), S. emends so as to read as follows: He (Beowulf) had not before seen the favor of the avaricious possessor.

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 5

B. renders: That which drew the king thither (i.e. the treasure) was granted us, but in such a way that it overcomes us.

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 6

‘Folc-ágende’ (3114) B. takes as dat. sing. with ‘gódum,’ and refers it to Beowulf; that is, Should bring fire-wood to the place where the good folk-ruler lay.

XLII. WIGLAF’S SAD STORY.—THE HOARD CARRIED OFF.

Note 7

C. proposes to take ‘weaxan’ = L. ‘vescor,’ and translate devour. This gives a parallel to ‘fretan’ above. The parenthesis would be discarded and the passage read: Now shall the fi…

PREFACE.

Note 1

Handbook of Poetics, page 175, 1st edition.