PREFACE; I: REVIEW OF THE CASE FOR CELTIC INFLUENCE IN BEOWULF; II: THE MIGHT OF GRENDEL'S MOTHER; III: THE LIGHT-PHENOMENON IN GRENDEL'S DWELLING; IV: THE MELTING OF THE GIANT-WROUGHT SWORD; V: BEOWULF AND IRISH BATTLE RAGE; VI: THE SWIMMING PROWESS OF BEOWULF; VII: BEOWULF'S FIGHTS WITH WATER-MONSTERS; VIII: BEOWULF AND IRISH UNDERWATER ADVENTURE; IX: BEOWULF'S SLAYING OF DÆGHREFN; X: THE QUESTION OF THE ORIGIN OF THE GRENDEL STORY; INDEX OF PERSONAL NAMES; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; R; S; T; U; V; W; Y; Z
Summary
Puhvel traces and evaluates the possible influences of Celtic tradition on the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. He discusses theories of the origins of the poem, draws parallels between elements in Beowulf and in Celtic literary tradition, and suggests that the central plot of the poem, the conflict between Grendel and his mother, is "fundamentally indebted to Celtic folktale elements." The study is well documented and rich in references to Celtic literature, legend, and folklore
