Final answer:
The scribe who unified the oral versions of "Beowulf" is unknown. "Beowulf" originated from an oral tradition and was later written down by an anonymous scribe during the Old English period, reflecting the methods of monastic scribes like those who created the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scribe who unified the oral versions of "Beowulf" is not specifically named in historical records. Unlike some manuscripts from the same period, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels where the scribe Eadfrith is known thanks to the colophon added by Aldred, or the hymns attributed to the Sumerian priestess Enheduanna, "Beowulf" comes down to us anonymously. It was customary for many ancient and medieval works, particularly those rooted in oral tradition, to be composed and transmitted without direct attribution. Therefore, the identity of the individual or individuals responsible for the written unified version of "Beowulf" that we have today remains unknown.
The story of "Beowulf" is set within an oral culture celebrating warriors facing their fate and was composed in Old English during the period of 450 to 1066 A.D. Its origins were in the spoken epics of Germanic peoples who traditionally did not write down their stories. Over time, monks and scribes, such as those who created the Lindisfarne Gospels, began to preserve these oral traditions in written form. "Beowulf" is an example of this transition from oral poetry to the manuscript culture.