Beowulf

The oldest surviving epic poem in Old English, written around 1000 AD, Beowulf tells the story of a great warrior in southern Scandinavia in both youth and maturity. A horrible monster, Grendel, terrorizes King Hrothgar of Denmark’s great mead hall until Beowulf defeats him. Celebrations of the monster’s demise are short-lived, however, as Grendel’s mother returns to avenge her son’s death. Beowulf vanquishes her as well, and returns to Geatland a great hero. Years later, now a king, Beowulf slays a dragon but is mortally wounded in the battle, proving his valor and bravery one last time before death. 

The tale is powerfully performed here by Crawford Logan in a lively modern translation by Benedict Flynn.