It strikes me as odd that a translation of a poem should win a prize --but
perhaps it is a bit like the best screen adaptation.
I thought that it might serve a useful function as a crib for the actual
reading of Beowulf --and how many can put their hands up and say that they
have bothered with the original? I wonder what the blurb writer would write
for the Beowulf manuscripts? Perhaps "Beowulf the poem as translated by
Seamus H.... "I think that SH is not such a bad poet, I liked his early
works, and the longer works are always difficult to sustain unless as David
says the poet has good rhythm. I think in the end I don't mind the S.H.
Beowulf --but I'll wait until it is secondhand though.
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