The critiques of the Murphy and Sullivan translation of Beowulf were just, for these translators turned Grendel's mother into some kind of monster. In reality, she was a sheltering nurturing figure who would have raised her little boy to be a vegan if there hadn't been so many tasty Geats around. Murphy and Sullivan are bad boys. That is why I prefer the Gilbert and Sullivan version, which begins:
Wet gardenias in the garden--I must beg the Spear-Danes' pardon
To dilate upon Scyld Scefing's greatest deed:
For he fell upon some people and he ransacked hall and steeple
And he carried off the bench where they drank mead.
He was braver than The Hulk and inspired Professor Tolkein
To embark upon his journey for the Ring;
And his people all obeyed him and much tribute they all paid him:
When he died they said that Scyld was "one good king."
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