Should I read Beowulf first?

>>7973335
It's probably not necessary but you can literally finish Beowulf in a night. Plus it's a fun read. Would recommend the Heaney translation

what do you think? are you so stupid you can't answer this question yourself

>>7973335
How about you read it, then read Beowulf and then read it again and compare the experience? Then tell us.

>>7973341
>>7973365
Which Beowulf translation would you recommend? I have the Tolkien version, and I trust Tolkien for several reasons, but his translation is prose, not poetry.

>>7973335
It's recommended. I didn't but I didn't enjoy Grendel.

>>7973385
Get Roy Liuzza's translation for absolute accuracy. Heaney's is cozy to read but it's a VERY free translation that isn't trustworthy for really analyzing the poem.