Charles Spencer
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
December 14, 2010
1) What are the values shown in this section of Beowulf? This section of Beowulf is perhaps the most meaningful selection, and displays values that extremely stress loyalty and sacrifice of oneself for the greater cause. Beowulf is a loyal king to his subjects and is very strongly obligated to protect them. As the threat of the fire breathing dragon onsets, Beowulf, even in his old age goes on to fight. A sense of loyalty especially comes into play when Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, 'took up the cross' for Beowulf and combated the dragon at his side. "I remember that time when the mead was flowing, how we pledged loyalty to our lord in the hall"( Beowulf 2633-2634). Wiglaf found the call of duty in the pledge made to his king, and was obligated to fight. The ultimate sacrifice comes at the end when Beowulf dies at the hand of the dragon for his people.
2) How is this story different from the other sections of Beowulf? Aside from the plot this selection of Beowulf differs in the portrayal of Beowulf. By no means is he shown as weaker, however he is showing his age. Beowulf has been the Lord of the Geats for years and he is now well aged. He also has lost his constant advantage he gained from him sword that never failed him, as it was struck down and no match for the dragon.
3) Why would the circumstances of Beowulf's death be considered an honorable and fitting end for a hero of that era? A hero can never be defeated, and when the 'bad guy' is defeated, death is not defeat. Beowulf's death was a fitting end because he defeated the last enemy threatening the Geats, the dragon, in a honorable way. In the era of Beowulf, honor was the basis upon which warriors wished to die, and how Beowulf fought without the advantage of his sword, even dying for his city, was very honorable.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Beowulf LRJ2: The Battle with Grendel's Mother
Charles Spencer
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
December 14, 2010
1) Explain the values of their society. Cite textual evidence to support your statements: The values in the society of Beowulf are mainly based upon revenge, and responsibility. Revenge is a very common attribute found in literature of many different cultures. In the case of Beowulf, he killed Grendel in defense of his city, but no deed can go unpunished. In this culture, getting back at someone for hurting you is not the single motive for revenge. It is important in Beowulf's culture to get the last word in their life; which never seems to simply be a conversation. No battle is won until everyone is defeated: "...an avenger lurked and was still alive, grimly biding time. Grendel's mother..."(Beowulf 1257-1258). What is notable about the tendencies of revenge in Beowulf's society is that when one is defeated or killed, in this case Grendel, there is someone who steps up to continue fighting for his cause. This also shows the responsibility the people of this culture had to fight for the common cause. Granted, Grendels's cause was not one of nobility and bravery, nevertheless his mother respected her responsibility to fight for her son.
2) What is unrealistic in the story? Why are these unrealistic stories a part of Beowulf? What effect does these details create for the reader/society that would have originally listened to the story? The common unrealistic character to Beowulf is his general invulnerability. Specific to this excerpt from Beowulf, Grendel and his mother are unrealistic, as they are giants. Both of these unrealistic concepts come together in this excerpt when Beowulf and Grendel's mother are fighting underwater, and specifically how Beowulf's metal armor does no ill favor to him underwater. These unrealistic characteristics in Beowulf, as well as many others in heroic literature, are present to show the power possessed in the protagonist, for example Beowulf's ever faithful sword, and his armor that he can wield in water. The powers possessed by Beowulf excite the reader, and sparks thought of such unrealistic events, which makes the reader wish to read on.
3) Name a couple of your favorite quotes. Explain why you like these quotes and what they add to the meaning of the work as a whole. "So he overcame the foe, brought down the hell-brute."(Beowulf 1273-1274) The overall power and might of Beowulf are displayed here. The way this is written showcases the classic battle of good verses evil, placing Beowulf high on his pedestal, over coming the 'foe' and the 'hell-brute'. This overall fits into the hero complex found in Beowulf throughout the story.
"Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke..."(Beowulf 1383) A simple statement of introduction is often all that needs be said about a hero. This quote is short, but explains a great deal about the culture, such as his lineage, 'son of Ecgtheow', which is fitting with the rest of Beowulf.
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
December 14, 2010
1) Explain the values of their society. Cite textual evidence to support your statements: The values in the society of Beowulf are mainly based upon revenge, and responsibility. Revenge is a very common attribute found in literature of many different cultures. In the case of Beowulf, he killed Grendel in defense of his city, but no deed can go unpunished. In this culture, getting back at someone for hurting you is not the single motive for revenge. It is important in Beowulf's culture to get the last word in their life; which never seems to simply be a conversation. No battle is won until everyone is defeated: "...an avenger lurked and was still alive, grimly biding time. Grendel's mother..."(Beowulf 1257-1258). What is notable about the tendencies of revenge in Beowulf's society is that when one is defeated or killed, in this case Grendel, there is someone who steps up to continue fighting for his cause. This also shows the responsibility the people of this culture had to fight for the common cause. Granted, Grendels's cause was not one of nobility and bravery, nevertheless his mother respected her responsibility to fight for her son.
2) What is unrealistic in the story? Why are these unrealistic stories a part of Beowulf? What effect does these details create for the reader/society that would have originally listened to the story? The common unrealistic character to Beowulf is his general invulnerability. Specific to this excerpt from Beowulf, Grendel and his mother are unrealistic, as they are giants. Both of these unrealistic concepts come together in this excerpt when Beowulf and Grendel's mother are fighting underwater, and specifically how Beowulf's metal armor does no ill favor to him underwater. These unrealistic characteristics in Beowulf, as well as many others in heroic literature, are present to show the power possessed in the protagonist, for example Beowulf's ever faithful sword, and his armor that he can wield in water. The powers possessed by Beowulf excite the reader, and sparks thought of such unrealistic events, which makes the reader wish to read on.
3) Name a couple of your favorite quotes. Explain why you like these quotes and what they add to the meaning of the work as a whole. "So he overcame the foe, brought down the hell-brute."(Beowulf 1273-1274) The overall power and might of Beowulf are displayed here. The way this is written showcases the classic battle of good verses evil, placing Beowulf high on his pedestal, over coming the 'foe' and the 'hell-brute'. This overall fits into the hero complex found in Beowulf throughout the story.
"Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke..."(Beowulf 1383) A simple statement of introduction is often all that needs be said about a hero. This quote is short, but explains a great deal about the culture, such as his lineage, 'son of Ecgtheow', which is fitting with the rest of Beowulf.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Beowulf LRJ 1: Introduction/Battle with Grendel
Charles Spencer
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
December 8, 2010
1) Old literature is an excellent window through which one can look and see that values and traditions of many culture. In Beowulf, the old Anglo-Saxon English culture is portrayed, containing many classic 'medieval' elements such as castles and the monster Grendel himself. The values of the culture in Beowulf are those of warmth, and heroism The culture in Beowulf values the warmth of gatherings and interaction with other people, and the author shows it by portraying the banquets and the kingdom of Shielding's 'mead hall'. "Then it was like old times in the echoing hall, proud talk and the people happy, loud, and excited..." (Beowulf, 38-44) shows how the terrorizing reign of Grendel has affected the people of Hrothgar. They are unable to live comfortably and feel the warmth that they value with the threats from Grendel. Also, due to the overshadow of Grendel, heroes are not only valued in the culture, they are also relied upon for comfort. As shown in the taken lines from Beowulf, it takes the arrival of a hero to provide comfort enough for a warm, social hall. As a whole, the culture's way of life is interrupted by Grendel.
2) Kennings are to Beowulf as Homeric similes are to the Iliad and the Odyssey; abundant and necessary. Just as Homeric similes, kennings are an identifying characteristic present in its story. This particular translation of Beowulf uses kennings to not only amplify the effect of words, but also to show characteristics of the culture. Kennings show the culture of Beowulf's spirituality, especially when describing things such as the son and Beowulf himself. Kennings such as: "...captain of evil..."( Beowulf 749), "...horn-rigged hall..."(Beowulf 779), and "...these reavers from hell..."(Beowulf 163) show the culture's use of such kennings in place of important people and places in this story, such as (many of) Grendel, and the mead hall in the horn rigged hall.
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB 5th Hour
December 8, 2010
1) Old literature is an excellent window through which one can look and see that values and traditions of many culture. In Beowulf, the old Anglo-Saxon English culture is portrayed, containing many classic 'medieval' elements such as castles and the monster Grendel himself. The values of the culture in Beowulf are those of warmth, and heroism The culture in Beowulf values the warmth of gatherings and interaction with other people, and the author shows it by portraying the banquets and the kingdom of Shielding's 'mead hall'. "Then it was like old times in the echoing hall, proud talk and the people happy, loud, and excited..." (Beowulf, 38-44) shows how the terrorizing reign of Grendel has affected the people of Hrothgar. They are unable to live comfortably and feel the warmth that they value with the threats from Grendel. Also, due to the overshadow of Grendel, heroes are not only valued in the culture, they are also relied upon for comfort. As shown in the taken lines from Beowulf, it takes the arrival of a hero to provide comfort enough for a warm, social hall. As a whole, the culture's way of life is interrupted by Grendel.
2) Kennings are to Beowulf as Homeric similes are to the Iliad and the Odyssey; abundant and necessary. Just as Homeric similes, kennings are an identifying characteristic present in its story. This particular translation of Beowulf uses kennings to not only amplify the effect of words, but also to show characteristics of the culture. Kennings show the culture of Beowulf's spirituality, especially when describing things such as the son and Beowulf himself. Kennings such as: "...captain of evil..."( Beowulf 749), "...horn-rigged hall..."(Beowulf 779), and "...these reavers from hell..."(Beowulf 163) show the culture's use of such kennings in place of important people and places in this story, such as (many of) Grendel, and the mead hall in the horn rigged hall.
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