Although Beowulf is a masterpiece of early English literature, the unfamiliar dialect makes this epic poem difficult to understand. Thanks to this translation, placed right near the original text, readers can now appreciate the battle of good and evil that unfolds between the wise and heroic Beowulf and his enemies - the monstrous Grendel and a fire-breathing dragon. This guide contains: the complete original text; a line-by-line translation that puts the text into everyday language; a complete list of characters with descriptions; and plenty of helpful commentary.