Beowulf | c. 8th–11th Century | Anonymous | Epic Poetry

Описание: Title: Beowulf | c. 8th–11th Century | Anonymous | Epic Poetry
Author: Anonymous
Source: LibriVox Public Domain Recording
Based on: Old English epic poem
Original Publication: c. 8th–11th century
Format: Audiobook (Static Visual Presentation)
Country: England
Language: English
Genres: Epic Poetry, Heroic Literature, Mythology

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Chapters:
00:00:00 01 – Prelude – Section 2
00:09:58 02 – Sections 3–5
00:19:32 03 – Sections 6–8
00:29:08 04 – Sections 9–11
00:40:44 05 – Sections 12–14
00:50:19 06 – Sections 15–17
01:01:03 07 – Sections 18–20
01:11:27 08 – Sections 21–23
01:25:02 09 – Sections 24–26
01:37:58 10 – Sections 27–29
01:55:17 11 – Sections 30–32
02:07:46 12 – Sections 33–35
02:22:51 13 – Sections 36–38
02:33:23 14 – Sections 39–41

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Summary:
Beowulf is an epic poem of unknown authorship, composed in Old English sometime between the 8th and 11th centuries. It is one of the foundational works of English literature and the most significant surviving example of Anglo-Saxon heroic poetry.

The poem follows the warrior Beowulf of the Geats, who comes to the aid of King Hrothgar of Denmark by defeating the monster Grendel and later Grendel’s vengeful mother. Years afterward, Beowulf returns as an aged king to face a final battle against a fire-breathing dragon, sacrificing his life to protect his people. The epic explores themes of heroism, loyalty, fate, honor, mortality, and the tension between pagan warrior culture and emerging Christian values.

Presented here as a complete spoken-word audiobook, this recording preserves the public-domain text in translation, offering an accessible listening experience of one of the great heroic epics of Western literature.

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Background:
Beowulf survives in a single manuscript known as the Nowell Codex, dated around the year 1000. Although the poem depicts Scandinavian settings and legends, it was composed in England and reflects Anglo-Saxon cultural values.

Scholars continue to debate the poem’s origins, influences, and religious perspectives, but its impact on literature is undeniable. Beowulf has influenced countless writers, including J. R. R. Tolkien, whose scholarship and fiction helped revive modern interest in the poem.

This audiobook recording is sourced from LibriVox, a volunteer-driven project dedicated to producing free public-domain audiobooks.

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Trivia:
Beowulf is the longest surviving epic poem written in Old English.

The poem blends pagan heroic tradition with Christian moral reflection.

The character of Grendel is one of the earliest literary monsters.

J. R. R. Tolkien’s essay Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics reshaped modern interpretation of the poem.

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Public Domain / Rights:
Original Composition: c. 8th–11th century
Author: Anonymous
Copyright Status: Public Domain
Source Recording: LibriVox (Public Domain)
Usage: This audiobook recording is legally redistributable.

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#Beowulf #EpicPoetry #Audiobook #PublicDomain #ClassicLiterature #Mythology #AngloSaxon #LibriVox