OT: 'wæpen wundum heard' [Beowulf]

beoram · Mar 24, 2002

still working on my Beowulf translation. Up to l. 2694 now!

Just wanted to run one of my explanatory notes by everyone, l. 2688a is 'wæpen wundum heard', literally "wound-hardened weapon". Most editors usually change this to "wæpen wundrum heard", which I think is ill-advised. Though who retain 'wæpen wundum heard' seem to think it refers to a Germanic belief that weapons gain strength through blood and wounds. I think there's a much more straight-forward and obvious explanation for "wound-hardened weapons". Can other people see what the most likely explanation of this phrase might be? (I won't tell you what I've written, though, if you want to cheat, it's up on my page now) - I want to see if it appears obvious to others too what this means.

thanks, Ben.

not2sharp · Mar 24, 2002

Ben,

The reference might indicate a form of pattern welded steel.

n2s

beoram · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by not2sharp
Ben,

The reference might indicate a form of pattern welded steel.

n2s

N2S - I hadn't thought of that one. Are you reading 'wound' as in an injury or as in "winding, twisting"? The meaning is 'an injury'.

Lots of other good references to pattern-welded steel in the poem though.

B.

not2sharp · Mar 24, 2002

Hi Ben,

I read it as "to wind", it makes more sense to me that way. But, language is a tricky thing, so it really needs to be taken in context.

n2s

beoram · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by not2sharp
Hi Ben,

I read it as "to wind", it makes more sense to me that way. But, language is a tricky thing, so it really needs to be taken in context.

n2s

Hi n2s,

Yes it would make more sense that way, but the Old English is 'wæpen wundum heard' which can only refer to 'wound' as "injury". The reading with "wind" would be something like 'wæpen wanden heard'

B.

Bill Martino · Mar 24, 2002

WoodOwl · Mar 24, 2002

Hi Ben:
I have to admit I cheated,and your explanation makes sense to me.But could there perhaps be a blend of the above belief and your explanation?
WoodOwl

beoram · Mar 24, 2002

Originally posted by WoodOwl
Hi Ben:
I have to admit I cheated,and your explanation makes sense to me.But could there perhaps be a blend of the above belief and your explanation?
WoodOwl

Could be - or the phrase could have been a 'common conceit', you know, the standard way of saying something.

B.