Stories & Soliloquies

Stories & Soliloquies
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  • Tag: syllabus

    • Mini-Syllabus: Introduction to Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon

      Posted at 12:45 pm by Michelle Joelle, on September 29, 2015

      IMG_1561

      Although I am still working my way through my last syllabus, I’m excited that my book club is reading Beowulf this fall. I’ve decided to make the most of this chance to talk about Beowulf with a wonderful group of intelligent readers by setting myself a larger project. I’d love to get a better sense of the language and the context from which Beowulf, and though I won’t get to this project for some time, I couldn’t resist sharing it here.

      First, there is the story itself.

      1. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation (Bilingual Edition), by Seamus Heaney.

      Heaney’s translation is widely considered the best, most exciting new translation, and as such is a great starting point. I also love any translation with the original text on the left-hand side.

      2. Beowulf, a Translation and Commentary, by J. R. R. Tolkien

      Of course, with Tolkien’s new translation out for public viewing, the time is ripe for a side-by-side comparison. I’m can’t wait to see what Tolkien does differently. This new edition also includes Tolkien’s notes and commentary, making it an invaluable resource.

      3. The Monsters and the Critics, and Other Essays, by J. R. R. Tolkien

      This collection of Tolkien’s essays includes Tolkien’s lecture on Beowulf to the British Academy in 1936, as well as an essay on translation. If you cannot bring yourself to buy multiple translations of the same text and already have an older copy of Beowulf you like, these essays seem like a great way to get Tolkien’s take.

      Next, I’ll want some historical and literary context.

      4. The Anglo-Saxon Age: A Very Short Introduction, by John Blair

      I love turning to this series when I’m new to a topic. While I often look back at introductions to topics with which I’m now more acquainted with some disagreement, you really can’t beat this series for showing you the breadth of whatever field it covers.

      5. BBC 4’s In Our Time on Beowulf, with Melvyn Bragg

      This radio program, offered free online, offers a level of engagement similar to the Very Short Introduction series, but comes with an added bonus: scholars who disagree with each other.

      6. The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology, translated by Kevin Crossley-Holland

      This is a wonderful collection of Anglo-Saxon literature, and it includes commentary on different types of stories to go along with the curated collections. Beowulf is included, but I’m someone who thinks you can’t really have too many different translations of the same text.

      7. The Cambridge Introduction to Anglo-Saxon Literature by Hugh Magennis

      After the collection above, you may want a more thorough look at the literary norms and authors of the time, and this appears from its table of contents to be a more or less definitive survey. There’s only one review on Amazon, but I find you can trust Cambridge U. Press to provide general knowledge and excellent citations.

      Finally, in my fantasy world, I’ll attempt to learn some Anglo-Saxon and read Beowulf in its original form.

      8. Anglo-Saxon Primer with Grammar, Notes, and Glossary; Eighth Edition Revised, by Henry Sweet

      This is a free primer that has the advantage of the instant digital download, but the downside of being a bit archaic in structure. If you’re used to modern language learning tools, this will feel a bit stilted.

      9. Beowulf: A Student Edition, edited by George Jack

      This is an edition of the text with a glossary at the side, and seems like a great way to dive into reading the untranslated text without going too far out on a limb.

      And there you have it – my dream syllabus on Beowulf. I’ll be digging into a comparison of the Heaney and Tolkien translations this Fall, but the rest will have to wait a bit. If you have any other essential texts to recommend, don’t hesitate to leave a suggestion in the comments.

      Happy reading.

      Posted in Series | 13 Comments | Tagged anglo-saxon, beowulf, seamus heaney, syllabus, tolkien
    • Guest Post: A Tour Guide to Classic Arthurian Literature

      Posted at 3:32 am by Michelle Joelle, on April 3, 2015

      Here’s another great mini-syllabus for you to enjoy. This one is on Arthurian Literature, and it’s written by author Suzannah Rowntree, writer of the wonderful blog, Vintage Novels, guest posted on Book Geeks Anonymous, another wonderful blog. Check it out, and join me in learning all about Arthur.

      Book Geeks Anonymous

      Greetings, booklings! Today, I’m handing the reins over to Suzannah Rowntree, curator of the wonderful blog, Vintage Novels. Suzannah is the author of four books, the latest of which is Pendragon’s Heir, a historical fantasy based on the legends of King Arthur. If you, like me, are a newcomer to the Arthurian realm, Suzannah here will get you acquainted with some of the great works of Arthurian literature. Now without further ado . . . .

      A Tour Guide to Classic Arthurian Literature

      by Suzannah Rowntree

      Hello, folks! Before we start the tour this morning, I had better introduce myself. I’m Suzannah Rowntree, inveterate medievalist, proprietor of the book review blog Vintage Novels, and proud author of a bouncing new book, Pendragon’s Heir, which made its debut to the thunderous applause of my immediate family and friends last Thursday. I wouldn’t exactly call myself an expert…

      View original post 2,310 more words

      Posted in The Waste Book | 0 Comments | Tagged Arthur, Arthurian literature, king arthur, reblog, Suzannah Rowntree, syllabus
    • Mini-Syllabus: Irish Mythology

      Posted at 12:45 pm by Michelle Joelle, on March 17, 2015

      Last year I wrote that I like to read books in coherent clumps. When I pick a book to read, I generally find myself seeking more like it, branching out step by step until I’ve completed what essentially becomes a miniature syllabus. I’ve decided to show off some of these syllabi. Some are more coherent than others, some built chronologically, others by theme, but all of them held together by a central set of questions. My first Mini-Syllabus was on Viking Lore.

      This time, in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day I’m turning to Irish Mythology. Because it’s a holiday, I’m going to leave out the critical lens aspect of building the syllabi and keep the focus on open engagement with the stories.

      Dublin 004

      Getting Started:

      1) Irish Fairy and Folk Tales, edited by William Butler Yeats:

      The best way to find your way into Irish mythology, in my opinion, is through folk lore. This collection of short stories is one of my favorites – Yeats’ introduction is engaging and philosophical, and his treatment of the tales is subtle and entertaining, whimsical and full of gravitas at the same time. The stories are divided into categories, each with their own introductions, so you can easily choose a story to fit your mood.

      A great way to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day is to whip up some Shepherd’s Pie (if you’re vegetarian, you can get the same feel with an earthy combination of mushrooms – we call it “Forager’s Pie” in my house), pour some ale, and read a few stories aloud to each other.

      2) Introduction to Early Irish Literature. by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain:

      I know I said I’d keep things celebratory and story-focused, but in this case, you’re going to need some background if you aren’t already familiar the the world of medieval Ireland. This text introduces the main mythological cycles of Ireland, both in their historical contexts and literary styles. To really get into the stories, you’re going to want to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the different ethos of each myth cycle, as well as the overarching view on truth and myth that governs their interconnections. This is a text book, but it’s a text book that will enhance your enjoyment significantly. The Medieval approach to myth and truth was quite different than ours, so you’ll want to be properly prepared.

      The Finn Cycle:

      3) God and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaann and the Fianna of Ireland, by Lady Augusta Gregory:

      Lady Gregory’s collection of folk tales is a great transition from peasant lore into high mythology. It can be difficult to jump right into the ancient texts directly, so this folk-style retelling of the Finn Cycle is a great way to ease in.

      4) The Tales of the Elders of Ireland/Acallam na Senorach, translated by Ann Dooley and Harry Roe

      Now we’re getting into the serious stuff. Acallam na Senorach explores of the early days of Saint Patrick, the Irish Otherworld of faeries, and the giant Fenians as Cailte and Oisin tell Saint Patrick the glorious history of Finn Mac Cumaill. This edition has maps and pronunciation guides that are invaluable for those unacquainted with the Irish language.

      5) Fianaigecht, translated by Kuno Meyer

      This is a collection of Irish poems and tales about Finn and his fighting Fiana, with the original Irish on the lefthand pages and the English translation on the right. This text is for those with a high level of scholarly interest – the introduction jumps right into the philological history of Fenian lore and it never really eases up. The poems and stories themselves are full of detail, and the translation, I wager, focuses more on accuracy than art. I “wager” this rather than claim it because I don’t actually know Irish (save for some conversational bits) and am guessing based on the choppiness of the rhythm and the several question marks that don’t correspond to the original Irish version, suggesting missing information or confusion. This text is worth having just for the glossary of rarer words at the back.

      The Ulster Cycle:

      6) Cuchulain of Muirethmne: The Story of the Men of the Red Branch of Ulster, by Lady Augusta Gregory:

      Now that we’re moving over to the legendary Ulster Cycle, it’s a good time to catch our breath with the folk readability of Lady Gregory. I’ve mentioned Cuchulain on this blog before, so if ever you were wondering who he was, this book is a great place to find out.

      7) The Tain bo Cuailnge, translated by Thomas Kinsella

      As it says on the back of the book, this “is the centre-piece of the eight-century Ulster cycle of the heroic tales” of Cuchulain. This primary source translation is extremely accessible to novices yet rich and essential for scholars; it is readable and entertaining, from the historical background all the way down to the art and typography. If you only choose one book from this list, make it this one. If you choose two, make it this one and the Yeats’ collection.

      8) Early Irish Myths and Sagas, translated by Jeffrey Gantz

      This is another great collection of tales about Cuchulain and other characters from the Ulster cycle, and another great translation. The introductions to the stories are brief and more centered on the tales themselves than on their history, but you do get some background to help you along.

      Short Collections:

      9) Ancient Irish Legends and 10) Irish Fairy Tales by Padraic O’Farrell

      These are slim volumes of modern retellings, perfect for those not looking for the investment of primary sources and elaborate pronunciation guides. I find these to be slightly less poetic in their delivery, which is not a bad thing; there’s a drier wit and a straightforwardness that’s appealing, making the stories feel contemporary and thus less distant.

      I know I’ve gone a little bit overboard here, but hopefully the structure of this mini-syllabus will help you carve out a reading list that suits you. You can choose a myth cycle to focus your reading, take the first item from each category for a lighter yet more well-rounded approach, or simply choose what looks most appealing. Whatever you choose, I hope you try reading some of it out loud to friends or family, tapping into the spirit of the seanchaidhe as you celebrate the tales of Ireland.

      Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.

      Posted in Series | 0 Comments | Tagged books, Finn Cycle, Ireland, Irish mythology, myth, Saint Patrick's Day, stories, storytelling, syllabus, Ulster Cycle, Yeats
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