As a highschool student it has fallen to me to begin the reading of
Beowulf.
In my lovely Norton Anthology book, it gives many tantilizing footnotes
explaining the translated text using snipets of the original Old
English in which the piece was written. I have quite simply become fed
up with this. It stands to no reason that I should be taunted by the
original rhyme in the footnotes while I read a dry translation which -
for all its literal accuracy - fails to retain the aestetic pleasure
and beauty of rhyme and pun.
Thus I have set myself to the task of retrogressively learning Middle and then Old English so that I can enjoy
Beowulf
and a considerable number of other Old and Middle English poems and
works in their original state rather than a secondary translated one.
So, can anyone point me in the direction of an adequate learning
resource for Middle English? (It only stands to reason that I ought
begin there and act retrogressively since Modern English is my first
language. By the time I get to Old English, hopefully I can draw from
my four years of highschool German and my conquering of Middle English
enough to tackle it relatively easily.)
If possible, I would like to find a point from before the 1400's and
the introduction of Chancery Standard to begin learning since my
ultimate goal will be Old English (in fact, Middle English is merely a
quasi-comprehendable jumping-off point), and prior to Chancery Standard
it seems that more of the case and inflexion endings and other
idiosyncrasies still exist in the words.
Much thanks in advance,
~Q
P.S. I realize there is a thread for Old English and anotehr for Middle
English, but neither are what I am looking for and I thought it more
prudent to start my own thread.