Entre o legendário de Tolkien e as lendas do Norte: King Sheave (Rei Sheave), de J. R. R. Tolkien, 1936-1937.

Abstract

J. R. R. Tolkien is not only a recognized name in the popular sphere of fantasy literature, but also in the fields of Germanic philology and medieval studies. The author's engagement with both Old English and Old Norse led him to explore, expand, and adapt Northern European myths and legends within and outside his legendarium, the name given to the set of mythopoeic stories that constitute his fictional world of Arda, developed by Tolkien over several decades. Among his many abandoned or unfinished texts is the poem “King Sheave,” which retells and expands fragments of narratives contained in various medieval sources, including Beowulf, which address the story of the mysterious semi-legendary figure of Sceaf. Tolkien's poem reproduces elements of the Anglo-Saxon poetic meter in a way that organically inserts it within a continuing tradition of fragmented tales about Sceaf, while also providing narrative elements that dialogue with the author's legendarium. This article aims to provide a Lusophone translation of this poem, retelling in Portuguese the story woven by Tolkien, while also seeking to recreate the poetic imagery and rhythm of Northern Europe as presented in “King Sheave.”