A Better Beowulf

The tale of the poem Beowulf is one that has fascinated literary scholars for centuries and

for this, many have tried to translate this poem, and have failed time and time again; however,

one man, Seamus Heaney, has fulfilled this feat and translated this poem to its greatest potential.

This essay will contrast two translations of the the poem Beowulf: a translation by Seamus

Heaney written in 2000, and another by Howell D. Chickering Jr. written in 1977. In analyzing

the scene of Grendel’s attack and death, several notable differences are present between the two

translations. Both writers differ in their poetic form, especially when it comes to creating

suspenseful and mystical feelings in their versions of this scene: Heaney uses diction and syntax,

whereas Chickering uses syntax and imagery to this goal.

Heaney heavily relies on diction in order to create a sense of magic in this scene. He uses

words that are not a part of a common man’s vocabulary, such as “moors” and “mist bands.”

These words in “everyday” language mean marsh and misty cliffs, and these are the exact words

that Chickering uses in his translation of this scene. Because Chickering encompasses common

vocabulary, it makes the poem feel more like a story-book for children. Heaney chose to

incorporate more sophisticated diction because by doing so, it creates a mystical mood around

the scene. In addition, Heaney’s diction creates drama in the poem; by using words like

“loathsome,” and “demonic,” Grendel is portrayed as more than mad and wicked, but as full of

hatred and diabolical enough to be compared to a demon. It is through a specified use of eclectic

vocabulary that Heaney was able to create a sense of drama and mystique.

Both writers approached syntax differently in order to add suspense to their scene. “The

calm before the storm” serves as a perfect analogy for how Heaney uses syntax in his translation.

This scene starts off calm and placid, there is no real course of...