beowulf









beowulf


noun

  1. (italics) an English alliterative epic poem, probably written in the early 8th century a.d.
  2. the hero of this poem.

noun

  1. an anonymous Old English epic poem in alliterative verse, believed to have been composed in the 8th century a.d

Old English beo wulf, literally “bee-wolf,” “a wolf to bees;” a kenning for “bear.” See bee (n.) + wolf (n.).

An epic in Old English, estimated as dating from as early as the eighth century; the earliest long work of literature in English. The critical events are the slaying of the monster Grendel and Grendel’s mother by the hero Beowulf and Beowulf’s battle with a dragon, in which he is mortally wounded.

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