The (un)known Beowulf – walking through the shadows of an Old English epic

This article presents selected aspects of the anonymous Old English epic Beowulf in which the elements of the world of fantasy are intertwined with historical episodes, and Christian values co-occur with the images of pagan rites. Written in the vernacular and to the rhythm of alliterative metre Beowulf is an example of the highest artistic achievement. The anonymous poet skillfully depicted the harsh Northern world shaped by the Christian culture. Although Beowulf has been studied since the beginning of the 19th century many fundamental issues are still unresolved. With the focus on the source text and its manuscript context some of the puzzles may yet be unravelled.