Reading the Norton Anthology

I recently began re-reading the The Norton Anthology of English Literature -- for fun.  Okay, I know that sounds strange, but I was looking for a good challenge. 

So far I've only read The Dream of the Rood and Beowulf -- so we're talking Old English here.  Back in college I took an advanced course in the Old English language (I was just an undergrad, but I'm a sucker for dead languages so I took the course with my teacher's approval).  Old English is a Germanic language brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxon invaders (loose dates to set the stage -- 450AD-1066AD).  This was the age of the bard in which the heroic ideal reigned.  Family led tribes ruled and the religion of the region was Christianity.

The old version of the Norton Anthology that I have has a rather dull translation of Beowulf, so I decided to read the Seamus Heaney verse translation -- which actually appears in the newer edition of the NA.  I love it because it keeps alive the rhythm and alliteration of the original and in addition the original Old English appears on the facing pages.  Haney's translation is quite impressive.

The last work in Old English is the Battle of Maldon and then I'm already into Middle English and the Canterbury Tales.  More updates to follow.

Comments

[rebecca]

that doesn't sound one bit strange. enjoy. how long do you think it will take you to work your way through it?

[Erin]

Julie -- I love reading the NA of British Lit!! When I was a teacher, I read it every year. I'm not kidding, either. The Anglo-Saxon section is one of my favorites. I also love dissecting Beowulf to figure out the parts that were inserted by the monks who copied the text (Grendel being a decedent of Cain, for example). Oh, I am SUCH a book geek!!! If you want a fun side read, there is actually a book called Grendel that "tells" the story of Beowulf from Grendel's perspective. It's short, but a fun companion piece.

I'm looking forward to when you get to the Cavalier poets ... they're another one of my favorite sections of the NA ... then the Romantics ... then the ... :)

[Michelle]

Wow, that brings back memories. Maybe I'll have to go dig up one of my three copies (give or take) that I have floating around here...

[Lemon Tree Tami]

Oh my goodness does that ever bring back memories of high school and college. :-) There's some great stories in there. But I have to admit that I had more of a fondness for reading Milton's Paradise Lost. Enjoy!

[Kathy in San Jose]

My sophomore son has that edition for BritLit this year, and I have 3rd editions of both the English and American lit books. Maybe that's what I'll work through this summer. Thanks for the idea!