The Art and Thought of the "Beowulf" Poet

The Art and Thought of the Beowulf Poet explores the relationship between Beowulf and the legendary tradition that existed prior to its composition. It argues that the poem's uniqueness reflects one poet's plan for the moral renovation of an amoral heroic tradition, with unconventional characters abstaining from transgression and expressing monotheistic convictions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his insightful exploration, Leonard Neidorf delves into the intricate relationship between Beowulf and the legendary tradition that preceded its composition. The Beowulf poet inherited an amoral heroic tradition, characterized by heroes driven by circumstances to commit heinous acts such as fathers killing sons, brothers killing brothers, and wives killing husbands. Medieval Germanic poets reveled in depicting a hero's unwavering response to a cruel fate, but the Beowulf poet chose a different path. Instead of constructing an epic around this traditional plot, he focused on creating a work that defied convention in both its narrative and its values.

In Beowulf, the kin-slayers and oath-breakers of the antecedent tradition take a backseat, while the poet forefronts unconventional characters who abstain from transgression, exhibit courtly etiquette, and profess monotheistic beliefs. By comparing Beowulf to its medieval German and Scandinavian counterparts, The Art and Thought of the Beowulf Poet makes a compelling argument that the poem's uniqueness stems from the coherent plan of one poet to morally renovate an amoral heroic tradition.

Through his meticulous analysis, Neidorf discerns the presence of a singular mind at work in the fusion and modification of heroic, folkloric, hagiographical, and historical materials. Rather than viewing Beowulf as an impersonally generated object, Neidorf advocates for reading it as the thoughtful outcome of one poet's ambitious endeavor to craft an epic that is morally edifying, theologically palatable, and historically plausible, considering the material that could not independently constitute such a poem.

This exploration of the relationship between Beowulf and its historical context sheds light on the poet's innovative approach and his determination to challenge traditional storytelling conventions. It highlights the poet's ability to blend diverse elements and create a work that remains relevant and captivating to modern readers, while also offering valuable insights into the moral and theological dimensions of the heroic tradition.

Weight: 907g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501766909