Beowulf and the Celtic Tradition

Download or read book Beowulf and the Celtic Tradition written by Martin Puhvel and published by Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press. This book was released on 2010-10-30 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The author traces and evaluates the possible influences of Celtic tradition on the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. He discusses theories of the origins of the poem, draws parallels between elements in Beowulf and in Celtic literary tradition, and suggests that the central plot of the poem, the conflict with Grendel and his mother, is "fundamentally indebted to Celtic folktale elements." The study is well documented and rich in references to Celtic literature, legend, and folklore.