Analysis of 2 Translations of Beowulf

Grendels Description Comparative Analysis Beowulf is a heavy(p) piece of Anglo-Saxon literature that can be, and has been, translated in multiple ways. Of the some(prenominal) outstanding translations, two of which are by Burton Raffel and Seamus Heaney, different ways of write are portrayed. Grendels description is written quite differently in both translations. Heaneys translation is more similar to the Anglo-Saxon manner of writing than Raffels translation.In Heaneys translation, he handlings a kenning to describe the Danes whereas Raffel characters simplistic vocaliseing to calculate the same fabrication across. Heaney calls The Danish people Ring-Danes to get his translation to be closer to the Anglo-Saxons style of literature. This use of a kenning causes the reader to be more familiarized and to better infer how the story was master copyly written or, rather, originally composed. Raffel, on the otherwise hand, only calls the Danes warriors to make the passage garner and easy to read.By translating Beowulf this way, Raffel is simplifying the writing and turning it into a more modern style of writing by non victimisation kennings, therefore, taking away from the original storys metaphorical flavour and straying way from the Anglo-Saxon style of literature but reservation it more understandable to the less than advanced reader. Another way Heaney nears the Anglo-Saxon style of writing and Raffel digresses from it is the use of poetry and poetic devices in the translations. Heaney uses head rhyme in nearly every line of his translation.For example, in line xx five, blundering back with the butchered corpses, repeats the letter B three times. He translated Beowulf by do sealed the same meaning is transferred into the new language, (English), and also made sure that the writings style was also transferred. This makes even the translation rifle like a poem that can be sung near as Beowulf would have been many years ago. Raffel, on the contrary, does not use beginning rhyme or other poetic devices as much.In line four, alliteration is present by repeating the H in hall and consists, however, this isnt the case in many lines. An example would be, line one, A powerful demon, living down. By doing this, Raffel is turning what was initially a composite poem into a short story, setting it up in a way that is very similar to any modern novel. It is quite clear that Heaneys choice of diction is far more complex and ripe than Raffels choice of diction, which is very simple.Heaney uses many words that may be hard to comprehend due to the fact that they are not often used in conversations or even in many other writings. An example of a word that Heaney uses in his translation that may not be understood right away is prowler. This word, which means stalker, is a word that may not be comprehended by someone with a weak vocabulary. It intensifies the story greatly, however, by allowing the reader to visualize Grendel sneaking up on his prey, showing that he has a deceitful personality.Raffel, on the other hand, simply describes Grendels actions. He skips from Grendel being a powerful monster to him growling due to the excessive noise from the hall. Grendels personality is not explained or stated as in Heaneys translation. By Raffel lacking(p) this little piece of information about Grendel, the reader has an easier time comprehending what is currently occurring, though it is slightly less informative.Heaney and Raffels translations are both phenomenal works of literature. Heaney, however, concentrates more on how poetic and similar the translation is to the original writing to give the reader an idea as to how the original story was composed. Raffel strays slightly away from the poetic Anglo-Saxon writing style and simplifies Beowulf, fashioning it easier to read. Both of the translations tell the same story, however, how the tale is told can impact the reader in different ways.