Beovulf (Bärwelf). Das älteste deutsche Heldengedicht. Aus dem
Angelsächsischen von Hans von Wolzogen. Leipzig: Philipp Reclam, jun.
(1872?).
Volume 430 of Reclam’s Universal-Bibliothek. Small 8vo, pp. 104.
Fifth German Translation. Imitative Measures.
_Concerning the Translator._
Hans von Wolzogen (born 1848), popularly known as a writer on the
Wagnerian operas and as conductor of the _Bayreuther Blätter_,
translated three Germanic poems for Reclam’s ‘Bibliothek’: _Beowulf_,
1872, _Der arme Heinrich_, 1873, and the _Edda_, 1877. There is no
evidence that he had any _special_ interest in Old English studies.
_Aim of the Volume._
As expressed in the ‘Vorbemerkung,’ the aim of the translator was (1) to
provide a readable translation ‘für unser modernes Publicum,’ and (2) to
make a convenient handbook for the student, so that the beginner, with
Grein’s text[1] and the present translation, might read the _Beowulf_
with no very great difficulty. So von Wolzogen made his version ‘more
literal than Heyne’s, but freer than Simrock’s’ (p. 1).
_Nature of the Translation._
The translation is in alliterative measures, called by the translator
imitative of the Old English. Von Wolzogen is concerned for this feature
of his work, and is at pains to give what he considers a full account of
the original verse as well as a lengthy defence of alliteration. Archaic
touches are occasional. The names are ‘re-translated into German’
according to a system of which, apparently, von Wolzogen alone holds the
key:--
‘... diese angelsächsische Form selbst nur eine Uebertragungsform
aus den ursprünglich deutschen Namen ist, wobei manch Einer sogar
sinnlos verdreht worden, wie z.B. der Name des Helden selbst, der
aus dem deutschen Bärwelf, Jungbär, zum Beovulf, Bienenwolf,
gemacht worden war.’ --Vorbemerkung, p. 5.
The account of the Fall of Hygelac and of Heardred, 2354-96, is shifted
to line 2207 (p. 75).
_Text Used._
The translation is apparently founded on one of Grein’s texts[2], but
the work is so inaccurate that exact information on this point is
impossible from merely internal evidence.