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Literary Criticism English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh

Beowulf and the Celtic Tradition

by (author) Martin Puhvel

Publisher
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2010
Category
English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Medieval, Medieval
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781554587698
    Publish Date
    Oct 2010
    List Price
    $32.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780889201224
    Publish Date
    Jun 1981
    List Price
    $34.99

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Description

The author traces and evaluates the possible influences of Celtic tradition on the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. He discusses theories of the origins of the poem, draws parallels between elements in Beowulf and in Celtic literary tradition, and suggests that the central plot of the poem, the conflict with Grendel and his mother, is "fundamentally indebted to Celtic folktale elements." The study is well documented and rich in references to Celtic literature, legend, and folklore.

About the author

Martin Puhvel is Associate Professor of English at McGill University, where he teaches Old and Middle English language and literature, Old Norse, and folklore. He has contributed numerous articles on various facets of English literature to learned journals. A native Estonian, he has translated Estonian literature into English and vice versa. He holds the Ph.D. degree from Harvard.

Martin Puhvel's profile page