Comparing Beowulf And Seamus Heaney

Modern Poetry

An epic hero is defined as larger than life, someone who embodies the values of a particular society. Common epic heroes have superior strength, they care for their people, and are fearless of death. Epic heroes show great intelligence and inventiveness. An epic hero will suffer severe pain, but in the end, they will ultimately persevere and conquer over evil. Despite these requirements, Beowulf is a beautiful piece of literature that can be, and has been translated in multiple ways. Of the many outstanding translations that exist today, two of these are by Burton Raffel and Seamus Heaney. In these two great works, different ways of writing are portrayed. Heaney sticks to the traditional Anglo-Saxon style of writing; he is more

Unlike Heaney’s translation, Raffel’s translation uses a capital letter at the beginning of each line, which can easily be assumed to represent his unique style of writing. The most obvious difference between the two translations of Beowulf as the tale continues is the length. This length difference is because Raffel’s translation completely disregards sections of the story, Raffel with his straightforward approach leaves out most of the details that Heaney includes graciously. "Suddenly then the God-cursed brute was creating havoc: greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men from their resting places and rushed to his lair, flushed up and inflamed from the raid, blundering back with the butchered corpses." (Heaney, L. 120-5) While at the same time, another translation states, "Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws: he slipped through the door and there in the silence snatched up thirty men, smashed them unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind him, back to his lair, delighted with his night's slaughter." (Raffel, L. 120-5). The same ideas are portrayed in both translations with the differentiation in the use of diction. Heaney uses words such as "flushed up and inflamed" to describe Grendel’s mood. Raffel uses the word "delighted" to describe Grendel's

Heaney’s translation made a greater use of alliterations. Raffel did not take advantages of these alliterations; therefore, did not have the same poetic impact. Heaney uses a kenning to describe the Danes whereas a simple yet modern approach is enough to satisfy Raffel. Heaney refers to the Danish peoples as a traditional Anglo-Saxon writer would, as “Ring-Danes”. Through the use of Heaney’s kennings, the reader is better able to understand how Beowulf was originally composed. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Raffel refers to the Danish peoples as “warriors”. Through Raffel’s modern approach, he is simplifying the writing and taking away from Beowulf’s original metaphorical aspects and Anglo-Saxon heritage. For example, Raffel says "...named it Herot." (Raffel, L. 80) Heaney, on the other hand, says "Heorot was the name he had settled on it." (Heaney, L. 80) The alliteration and caesura utilizes a similar technique as used by the Anglo-Saxons. Heaney gives the story a unique flow and poetic