Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem

Beowulf, the heroic poem, is the pinnacle of Old English literature and the first vernacular epic written in Europe. Although the exact date of the work s composition is unknown, some researchers believe it was composed in the 8th century because it deals with events from the early 6th century. The poem was written without a title, but it was later given the name "Beowulf" in honor of the legendary Scandinavian hero whose deeds and personality serve as the poem s unifying thread. Although there is no proof of an actual Beowulf, the poem does contain historical figures, locations, and occurrences.