The above image is the first page from the original Beowulf oldpoetry.com/volume/1378 manuscript. It still bears the scorch marks to the top left hand, from the same fire which destroyed the rest of the manuscript, and most of London in 1666.
The Oldpoetry team have managed to get copies of some images displaying the original manuscripts by some of the worlds most famous poets. We have displayed these images on same page as the poem text. Many show the crossing outs and alterations made by the poets themselves whilst writing their first drafts. This often gives an insight as to how the poet selected one word from another before they were happy with it.
~~~
You can see Wilfred Owen's Anthem for Doomed Youth
along with his original Anthem for Dead Youthwith Siegfried Sassoon's editing at:
oldpoetry.com/poetry/3334
We also have a collection of John Keats poems in there original notes, complete with his doodling.
Ode To A Nightingale
oldpoetry.com/poetry/792
I Stood tip-toe upon a little hill
oldpoetry.com/poetry/32540
Hyperion
oldpoetry.com/poetry/781
The Eve of Saint Mark
oldpoetry.com/poetry/32541
Bright Star
oldpoetry.com/poetry/32542
Also
John McCrae
In Flanders Fields
oldpoetry.com/poetry/6634
We will continue to add to this collection as discoveries
are made and permission to use images becomes available.
If you would like to be informed of new things being added to oldpoetry.com and be able to give suggestions and thoughts on the site, or even just meet other classical poetry readers. Why not join the oldpoetry friends group at allpoetry.com/group/166
Hope you enjoy
OldPoetryTeam
The above image is the first page from the original Beowulf manuscript. It still bears the scorch marks to the top left hand, from the same fire which destroyed
Included in the list
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
-
Very very cool. I've always enjoyed ancient writings as they have a certain flare that none today could begin to match. I think a part of me will always appreciate that more than what I read in modern times.
-
This is really amazing,
nice of you to inform us,
thanks
Olivia -
Great
Thank you for this wonderful site. I will visit it often. I love Keats! I am seeking serenity in a chaotic world. To find it at a .com site is more than I could have dreamed for. Thank you for your hard work! -
Cool thanks Andrew, I'll check it out
-
Hi Luke,
The Beowulf manuscript was dated around 650 AD, making it approximately 1354 years old.
The whole Beowulf tale is avalible at oldpoetry.com in one volume at www.oldpoetry.com/volume/1378
Andrew -
Beowulf is an absolutely brilliant story. I very much appreciaet the time and effort you've made here, and I shall definitely look back for more. Exactly how old is the manuscript, may I ask?
Luke
-
You know be proud all of you for the work you do, but I want to comment on Von~ the other day I had a question about Old Poetry and she was kind and considerate enough to patiently answer and even at one point her reply was witty~Must have not have a pulse~ ha ha This was interesting to see Beowulf and like others I read it in HS.. Take Care All, Catressa
-
WOW! This is extraordinary. I am so influenced by the poets of yesteryear. Their voices speak to us from the grave. They are encouragement and enlightenment for the soul. This is wonderful. We are making great srtrides, and advances in literature at OldPoetry, and I am glad to be part of the team. KUDOS to all for their dillgent efforts!
-
excellent
excellent information...Makes me sad to learn of so much waste by literature burning in fires.....thank you much appreciated.
Buchan -
Hi,
This is amazing to see the old manuscripts. I love old poetry. I find this so awesome.
Best of wishes
Blue moon -
the picture is great.... hmmm old poetry is great too ... well have fun
-
I love old poetry, especially William Carlos Williams...
And it's awesome that we can now see part of the writting process! -
This is absolutely amazing, i studied Beowulf in my Brit lit clas. it was a great peice of writting, and seeing the first original page was great! thanks for finding it OldPoetryTeam!
-
Very fascinating, and thanks for all the great links. I studied Beowulf in a theology class of all places, comparing literature across cultures. It was fascinating. I am going to have to go over to oldpoetry.com. I am new here, and haven't had a chance to explore all that is on here- so I am looking forward to it very much.
-
That picture of the Beowulf manuscript is amazing. I just finished studying Beowulf and some of John Keats pieces in my English class. I had an awesome teacher who really helped us study in depth about Beowulf, Keats and many other classic writer. It's amazing that ya'll were able to find that image. I'll have to go explore around the oldpoetry site. I've never looked at any of it. Thanks for the insite.
-
Brilliant- I really find that seeing the original manuscript helps, especially for poetry from a time when illuminating manuscripts added significantly to the meaning of the text.
-
Hearing the word Beowulf really brings back memories of my High School days. I was never interested in English class, but when I read the story of Beowulf, I was hooked. That’s when I seriously took up the pen and began writing. Thanks for reminding me of my roots.
-
I believe that all of you that work on Oldpoetry site do a good job to keep people inform and up to date. Ya'll!! deserve a well served applause. Saddie23
-
You guys do sure all the effort to make the Oldpoetry site more interesting than it already is! Well done!
Mari
-
wow, i just read all that and i've never really went to oldpoetry but now i think i will look around!
-
well that was pretty cool.
-
I just about died when I saw that picture of the orignal manuscript of Beowulf. I have read and studied the book on my own, and hopefully will get into the British Lit class at my school so I can study it with a teacher. That picture is just really amazing.
-Amber -
Outstanding!
Hi,
Thank you for posting this information. I shall be visiting Oldpoetry! Thanks again!
--Johnny
Post Script : I have bookmarked this page JW
Edited on May 31, 2:54 p.m. because 'Post script'. -
That's quite interesting. I just finished studying Beowulf in my literature course. It's neat to see part of the original manuscript...thanks for sharing.
Adding your comment:
1 - 24 of 24
