The Song of Roland
Anonymous · Medieval · Epic poetry
Medieval · Epic poetry
Beowulf
by Anonymous. A warrior defeats monsters and later faces a dragon, revealing the grandeur and fragility of heroic society.
Find a print edition
Browse Bookshop.org's current catalog to choose an available edition.
Some purchase links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
- Date
- c. 700–1000
- Origin
- Anglo-Saxon England
- Era
- Medieval
- Genre
- Epic poetry
- Canon tier
- Essential core
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Length
- Medium
- Collection
- The Western Canon
Subjects and themes
Why it matters
A warrior defeats monsters and later faces a dragon, revealing the grandeur and fragility of heroic society.
This work is included on the basis of bloom / broader canon. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.
Related works
Reading paths featuring Beowulf
Continue through a deliberately ordered journey that places this work in conversation with others.
Essential 100
A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.
Great Epics
Seven foundational journeys through kingship, war, homecoming, empire, exile, salvation, and rebellion. 7 books · Intermediate.