Rachel Jane McKean
200314521
English Studies
Mark Brown
Beowulf Assignment
7th November 2003
) Leslie Webster: Archaeology and Beowulf
2) There are many difficulties incorporated throughout Beowulf which challenge the modern day reader but which are also significant factors in the overall literary experience of the text.
One of the main challenges that presents itself, according to 1925 Watt and Chambers, is the translation of Beowulf, the oldest English epic, from archaic Anglo-Saxon English into modern day English, applied with the reader's already established, own contemporary knowledge and conceptions of the language. Leslie Webster declares it is also possible to be led into a manifold of misinterpretations when combining the important elements of poetic description, complex historical features and archaeological accounts along with our own current preconceptions. For example, it could be seen as an advantage for the reader to have an academic knowledge of early medieval north-western Europe prior to reading Beowulf. However, Webster argues that this may very well act as a disadvantage, since this could influence and shape the reader's comprehension of the poem as they try to apply and relate their own knowledge to the text. This will cause difficulties for the reader in understanding when the poetic description does not correspond with their knowledge of hard archaeological facts.
Webster claims that archaeology is a 'fragile and incomplete witness' and can therefore not to be entirely accepted as truth. The reality is there is no firm evidence therefore only conjectures can be made about what really occurred in the past. Furthermore, over centuries various archaeologists and editors have interpreted Beowulf differently and this indicates that the accuracy of the translation and its criticisms are questionable, consequently adding difficulty to our understanding of the text.
200314521
English Studies
Mark Brown
Beowulf Assignment
7th November 2003
) Leslie Webster: Archaeology and Beowulf
2) There are many difficulties incorporated throughout Beowulf which challenge the modern day reader but which are also significant factors in the overall literary experience of the text.
One of the main challenges that presents itself, according to 1925 Watt and Chambers, is the translation of Beowulf, the oldest English epic, from archaic Anglo-Saxon English into modern day English, applied with the reader's already established, own contemporary knowledge and conceptions of the language. Leslie Webster declares it is also possible to be led into a manifold of misinterpretations when combining the important elements of poetic description, complex historical features and archaeological accounts along with our own current preconceptions. For example, it could be seen as an advantage for the reader to have an academic knowledge of early medieval north-western Europe prior to reading Beowulf. However, Webster argues that this may very well act as a disadvantage, since this could influence and shape the reader's comprehension of the poem as they try to apply and relate their own knowledge to the text. This will cause difficulties for the reader in understanding when the poetic description does not correspond with their knowledge of hard archaeological facts.
Webster claims that archaeology is a 'fragile and incomplete witness' and can therefore not to be entirely accepted as truth. The reality is there is no firm evidence therefore only conjectures can be made about what really occurred in the past. Furthermore, over centuries various archaeologists and editors have interpreted Beowulf differently and this indicates that the accuracy of the translation and its criticisms are questionable, consequently adding difficulty to our understanding of the text.
