The epic poem called ‘Beowulf’ was first written in which language?

The epic poem called ‘Beowulf’, consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines, was originally written in a West Saxon dialect of Old English. Considered one of the most important works of Old English literature, the poem was produced between 975 and 1025 CE. The author was an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet, referred to by scholars as the ‘Beowulf poet’.

Written in an epic heroic style, the poem tells the story of Beowulf’s life. He is a hero of the Geats (modern day Sweden). The poem recounts feats from his youth, adulthood and old age. The story is set in Scandinavia where Beowulf leaves his native land and comes to the aid of the king of the Danes, whose main gathering place, a mead hall, has been repeatedly attacked by a monster called Grendel.

The story unfolds telling of Beowulf’s fight with Grendel, then Grendel’s mother and later in life, when Beowulf returns to his homeland, a battle with a fire-breathing dragon.

Old English was a language spoken over most of the territory of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, becoming the Kingdom of England. It was spoken for a period of 700 years from the 5th to the 11th century. While approximately 85% of Old English words are no longer in use, those that survived are basic elements of Modern English vocabulary. With the unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms by Alfred the Great (847/849-899) in the late 9th century, the language of government and literature became standardized around the West Saxon dialect.