T H E W O R D H O R D E
Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something
Old Tongues. New Tales. Unearthing the raw power of Beówulf, the stark beauty of Anglo-Saxon verse, and the thunderous sagas of the Old Norse, this blog is your guide through the ancient words that shaped our world. Join us as we journey into the heart of heroic epics, explore the myths, and decipher the languages that echo through the ages.
Beyond the Words
Kevin Kiernan’s Beowulf and the Beowulf Manuscript argues that to fully understand Beowulf, we must examine the manuscript itself, not just the poem. He emphasizes that the physical aspects—such as handwriting, parchment, damage, and restorations—reveal crucial historical and interpretive context. Kiernan challenges traditional assumptions about the manuscript’s date and completeness, suggesting it may have been altered or compiled from multiple stories. He highlights the importance of paleography and physical analysis to uncover how scribes shaped the text. Ultimately, the manuscript isn’t just a container for the poem—it’s a key part of the story itself.