1. The play, as Hamlet planned, exposed Claudius for his guilt and fear of killing his brother and marrying his wife. Hamlet and Heratio analyzed Claudius during the play and noticed how uncomfortable he got, and then he becomes overwhelmed and leaves the room. Claudius realized that Hamlet knows he killed his father.
2. Expo- This is when we are introduced to the guards. They see a ghost and they ask Horatio to see it to. Hamlet hates Claudius and the marriage. The ghost appears again, Hamlet fallows it to ask it questions.
Inciting- Hamlet finds out Claudius killed his father from the Ghost, also telling him to seek revenge for his fathers death.
Rising- 1. Hamlets plan to expose Claudius through the play.
2. Hamlet goes to Ophelia’s room acting crazy, half-naked, acting in love with her.
3. Claudius is upset after the play, showing Hamlet he is guilty, but Hamlet cant kill him because he was confessing.
1. He’s sending Hamlet to England because he’s crazy, and has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern go with him to supervise.
2. Spy on them to here what they talk about.
3. 1) This was the first time Claudius admits to his sin out loud.
2) He’s asking for forgiveness for his sins, showing some level of regret and need for salvation.
3) If he did not decide to pray Hamlet wouldn’t have shown restraint in killing him.
4. Claudius says he apearantly can’t pray.
5. Because he can’t kill Claudius as he is praying confessing for his sin because then he will go to heaven. Hamlet refuses to give him that luxary, so he decides to wait until he can kill him when he is doing something bad.
1. Polonius tells the queen be more stern, and just say he has caused a lot of trouble.
2. Hamlet calls Polonius a rat for spying on him, as he is always doing. Then he stabs and kills him.
3. While Hamlet is frustrated and confused, this quote shows he somewhat blames his mother for his fathers death.
4. While Gertrude is a clueless mother, she doesn’t understand why Hamlet is so rude to her because she doesn’t know that Claudius killed her husband.
5. He bashes on Claudius by saying he is like mildewed ear of corn affecting all others next to him, and comparing her old husband to a Greek God, with a commanding eye.
6. He just giving a descriptive explanation of why his father was so much more of a man than Claudius. He asks why his mother would possibly settle for such a pathetic man, after having such a honorable, heroic king.
7. It’s a detailed description of Gurtude sleeping with her old husbands brother.
8. The ghost reminds Hamlet that his job is to get revenge for his fathers death, not push his mother away and make her feel guilty. She is just a weak women says the ghost.
9. “….do not spread the compost on the weeds.” He’s saying that they shouldn’t make things worse, which is ironic considering he wants to murder Claudius. This sign of revenge and anger drives him kill his fathers murderer.
10. The ghost doesn’t help Hamlet’s situation in act 3 because, unlike act 1, in act 3 no one can see him except Hamlet. In act 1 everyone sees the ghost. In both scenes however the ghosts have the same motivation, which is to see Claudius killed.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thomas Act 3 Scenes 1 and
1. They report that Hamlet is confused and troubled, but won’t tell why. He doesn’t eagerly discuss his problems and doesn’t like being interrogated by friends.
2. Claudius completely agrees with Polonius that people sometimes act committed to God to hide their sins. This makes Claudius feel guilty.
3. They planned for Hamlet and Ophelia to run into each other. Polonius and Claudius will act as spies to determine if Hamlet is suffering because of the love he has for Ophelia.
4. Hamlets soliloquy is the question, is it better to be alive or dead? Is it nobler to push through the hard times to the end, or cut life short and easy? However he also explains the catch. No one knows where you end up after death. This is why so many people suffer through the troubles of life so long.
5. The main argument against suicide is the popular fear of what happens after death. Where do you go and what do you experience if you kill decide to sin and kill your self. That is why most accept the sufferings, even though they don’t want to.
6. Hamlet becomes angry because Ophelia returns his letters. Hamlet now thinks she doesn’t love him, which is why he is cruel. He is also cruel because he has been set up and Polonius was spying on them.
7. Hamlets saying he’s going to kill Claudius for killing his father, but he’s not going to kill his mother.
8. The King decides to send him to England.
9. Hamlet approves of Horatio because he takes everything in life with calm acceptance, good and bad things. He takes Horatio in his heart also because he is a master of his emotions, which is so important, especially when dealing with women.
10. He asks Horatio to watch his uncle very carefully when the play begins and analyze his reaction. He wants Horatio to see if Claudius looks guilty or nervous.
11. A king and queen enter and embrace lovingly. She kneels before him and resists his passion. He lifts her up and lays his head on her neck. He lies down on a bank of flowers. When she sees him sleeping, she leaves. Another man comes in, takes the crown from the king, pours poison in the sleeping man’s ear, and leaves. The queen returns and finds the king dead. She becomes hysterical. The killer comes back and claims the queen. The body is carried away. The killer gives the queen gifts. She is cold toward him for a while but eventually accepts his hospitality.
12. The name “the mousetrap” is a metaphor. The play is about a murder committed in Vienna. Gonzago is the duke’s name, and his wife is Baptista.
13. Claudius is spooked. He can’t take it anymore and yells for the lights to be turned on and to “Get me out of here!”
14. He referrers to himself as a recorder, and tells Guildenstern not to try and play him as a fool if he can’t even play that simple instrument.
15. He plans to kill Claudius and take revenge, but he feels like a hypocrite by killing Claudius and not his mother. He decides to do anyway despite his feelings of guilt.
2. Claudius completely agrees with Polonius that people sometimes act committed to God to hide their sins. This makes Claudius feel guilty.
3. They planned for Hamlet and Ophelia to run into each other. Polonius and Claudius will act as spies to determine if Hamlet is suffering because of the love he has for Ophelia.
4. Hamlets soliloquy is the question, is it better to be alive or dead? Is it nobler to push through the hard times to the end, or cut life short and easy? However he also explains the catch. No one knows where you end up after death. This is why so many people suffer through the troubles of life so long.
5. The main argument against suicide is the popular fear of what happens after death. Where do you go and what do you experience if you kill decide to sin and kill your self. That is why most accept the sufferings, even though they don’t want to.
6. Hamlet becomes angry because Ophelia returns his letters. Hamlet now thinks she doesn’t love him, which is why he is cruel. He is also cruel because he has been set up and Polonius was spying on them.
7. Hamlets saying he’s going to kill Claudius for killing his father, but he’s not going to kill his mother.
8. The King decides to send him to England.
9. Hamlet approves of Horatio because he takes everything in life with calm acceptance, good and bad things. He takes Horatio in his heart also because he is a master of his emotions, which is so important, especially when dealing with women.
10. He asks Horatio to watch his uncle very carefully when the play begins and analyze his reaction. He wants Horatio to see if Claudius looks guilty or nervous.
11. A king and queen enter and embrace lovingly. She kneels before him and resists his passion. He lifts her up and lays his head on her neck. He lies down on a bank of flowers. When she sees him sleeping, she leaves. Another man comes in, takes the crown from the king, pours poison in the sleeping man’s ear, and leaves. The queen returns and finds the king dead. She becomes hysterical. The killer comes back and claims the queen. The body is carried away. The killer gives the queen gifts. She is cold toward him for a while but eventually accepts his hospitality.
12. The name “the mousetrap” is a metaphor. The play is about a murder committed in Vienna. Gonzago is the duke’s name, and his wife is Baptista.
13. Claudius is spooked. He can’t take it anymore and yells for the lights to be turned on and to “Get me out of here!”
14. He referrers to himself as a recorder, and tells Guildenstern not to try and play him as a fool if he can’t even play that simple instrument.
15. He plans to kill Claudius and take revenge, but he feels like a hypocrite by killing Claudius and not his mother. He decides to do anyway despite his feelings of guilt.
Thomas Hamlet’s Soliloquy
To live or to die
Should I suffer
The troubles of life
Or stay strong and fight against them,
If you die will the troubles end,
I think to die, to sleep,
Should be wished for, to die, to sleep,
To sleep there are risks,
For what happens after death,
This is what makes people think twice,
Who would agree to suffer,
Lost love or slow justice,
Insolent politicians and insults,
Worthy people suffer from the unworthy,
When they could find peace
With a naked dagger would could be take charge?,
Why struggle through life,
Unless they were afraid of what might happen after death,
This country where no one returns from,
Makes us content to suffer the evils,
Rather than risk the unknown,
Our conscience makes us cowards,
Important tasks are therefore,
Forgotten because of over thinking,
And no action is taken.
Should I suffer
The troubles of life
Or stay strong and fight against them,
If you die will the troubles end,
I think to die, to sleep,
Should be wished for, to die, to sleep,
To sleep there are risks,
For what happens after death,
This is what makes people think twice,
Who would agree to suffer,
Lost love or slow justice,
Insolent politicians and insults,
Worthy people suffer from the unworthy,
When they could find peace
With a naked dagger would could be take charge?,
Why struggle through life,
Unless they were afraid of what might happen after death,
This country where no one returns from,
Makes us content to suffer the evils,
Rather than risk the unknown,
Our conscience makes us cowards,
Important tasks are therefore,
Forgotten because of over thinking,
And no action is taken.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Gawain questions Fit 4
Fit 4 Questions
1) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be viewed as a journey from life to death and back to life. Discuss how this works.
2) Sir Gawain is reborn both physically and spiritually at the end of the book how?
3) Whose Point of View are we suppose to exact at the end of the book? Why?
4) Is Gawain ruined as a knight or will we see great deeds from him again?
5) In your opinion who is really in control?
1. This journey from life to death and back to life can be seen in Gawain’s journey to the Castle. The journey starts in Camelot, traveling through the wilderness and in the castle, and ends with Gawain’s rebirth in Camelot. Camelot is a joyous place filled with happiness and games. It’s filled with life. He leaves this pleasant place however into the wilderness, which is cold and unforgiving like death. He goes to the castle and in his adventures he spiritually dies. You often see Gawain put his faith in God and Mary, for example his shield has the pentangle on one side and Mary on the other. The Christian ideas of reward from God after death can be seen in the answering of Gawain’s desperate prayers. He prays for a place to celebrate Christmas mass and the castle suddenly appears. ("in the midst of the woods, he saw a moated castle" ln. 763). The journey of rebirth is seen after he fails with the green knight and looses his pure spirit by using the Girdle. He returns home, and with no one caring of his cowardly actions, he is reborn.
2. Near the end of the story the Green Knight spears his life. It was originally a set up however but this can be seen as Gawain’s physical rebirth, with only a minor flesh wound instead of death. Gawain knows he chose the cowardly path by accepting the Green Girdle that would save him against the Green Knight, and he feels embarrassed and ruined as a honorable knight because of it. He is reborn after he fails to maintain his faith in god. When he returns home however, the people ignore his previous desires to live and so in a way he is given a second chance, or is spiritually reborn.
3. I think, at least in the end of the story, was someone in Camelot. It’s arguable that the point of view is taken by Gawain, however I find it unlikely that someone so embarrassed would write it so the people of Camelot were that tolerant of his cowardly act. The people of Camelot however see everything as game, with less concequences in life. They make his quest seem like a big game, and that it doesn’t even matter if he failed or not. This can be seen in this line, “Right then, that lords and ladies of the Round Table and all in their Brotherhood should wear a baldric bound cross-wise round them, a band of green…..be honored evermore.” (Line 2564)
4. Sir Gawain is most definitely ruined as a knight. He is mentally destroyed and spiritually lost and unstable. He will never be able to forget the dishonor that he has brought on himself and his king and people. With this Gawains first major adventure for fame and glory, he has failed his first task and with less confidence he will have less inspiration to try again. “But I shall see it always, as a sign of my fault wherever I ride, remembering with remorse, in times of pride how feeble is the fles, how petty and perverse.” He’s talking of the Girdle which he will always where to remind him of his failure. He will never live down what he has done. Gawain sias him self, “What’s done is done and cannot be undone.”
5. I think even though the Young Lady and Bertilak play large roles in the game, the Old Lady, or Morgan le Fay, is in control and is responsible for the sequence of the story. She is in charge and decides to play the game in the beginning.
1) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be viewed as a journey from life to death and back to life. Discuss how this works.
2) Sir Gawain is reborn both physically and spiritually at the end of the book how?
3) Whose Point of View are we suppose to exact at the end of the book? Why?
4) Is Gawain ruined as a knight or will we see great deeds from him again?
5) In your opinion who is really in control?
1. This journey from life to death and back to life can be seen in Gawain’s journey to the Castle. The journey starts in Camelot, traveling through the wilderness and in the castle, and ends with Gawain’s rebirth in Camelot. Camelot is a joyous place filled with happiness and games. It’s filled with life. He leaves this pleasant place however into the wilderness, which is cold and unforgiving like death. He goes to the castle and in his adventures he spiritually dies. You often see Gawain put his faith in God and Mary, for example his shield has the pentangle on one side and Mary on the other. The Christian ideas of reward from God after death can be seen in the answering of Gawain’s desperate prayers. He prays for a place to celebrate Christmas mass and the castle suddenly appears. ("in the midst of the woods, he saw a moated castle" ln. 763). The journey of rebirth is seen after he fails with the green knight and looses his pure spirit by using the Girdle. He returns home, and with no one caring of his cowardly actions, he is reborn.
2. Near the end of the story the Green Knight spears his life. It was originally a set up however but this can be seen as Gawain’s physical rebirth, with only a minor flesh wound instead of death. Gawain knows he chose the cowardly path by accepting the Green Girdle that would save him against the Green Knight, and he feels embarrassed and ruined as a honorable knight because of it. He is reborn after he fails to maintain his faith in god. When he returns home however, the people ignore his previous desires to live and so in a way he is given a second chance, or is spiritually reborn.
3. I think, at least in the end of the story, was someone in Camelot. It’s arguable that the point of view is taken by Gawain, however I find it unlikely that someone so embarrassed would write it so the people of Camelot were that tolerant of his cowardly act. The people of Camelot however see everything as game, with less concequences in life. They make his quest seem like a big game, and that it doesn’t even matter if he failed or not. This can be seen in this line, “Right then, that lords and ladies of the Round Table and all in their Brotherhood should wear a baldric bound cross-wise round them, a band of green…..be honored evermore.” (Line 2564)
4. Sir Gawain is most definitely ruined as a knight. He is mentally destroyed and spiritually lost and unstable. He will never be able to forget the dishonor that he has brought on himself and his king and people. With this Gawains first major adventure for fame and glory, he has failed his first task and with less confidence he will have less inspiration to try again. “But I shall see it always, as a sign of my fault wherever I ride, remembering with remorse, in times of pride how feeble is the fles, how petty and perverse.” He’s talking of the Girdle which he will always where to remind him of his failure. He will never live down what he has done. Gawain sias him self, “What’s done is done and cannot be undone.”
5. I think even though the Young Lady and Bertilak play large roles in the game, the Old Lady, or Morgan le Fay, is in control and is responsible for the sequence of the story. She is in charge and decides to play the game in the beginning.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thomas Sir Gawain Questions
Answers: 1)
1. Theres a brief summary of the New Year’s feast in part one and the Green Knight’s game with King Arthur is described as his New year’s gift.
2. The change of season is elaborately described, from the cold season, to spring, to harvest, then back to winter.
3. On All Hallows’ Day, the knights of Camelot had one last feast and prepared to send Gawain off on his quest for the Green Chapel.
4. Gawain calls for his armor, and the armor itself is described in great detail.
5. Sir Gawain gets dressed and armored and prepares to leave on his voyage. He meets with King Arthur and people one last time and the poet describes Gawain’s horse.
6. The knights give Sir Gawain the shield, which has the pentangle on one side, which comprises five points with no end and the knights virtues.
7. The significance of the pentangle is explained. The five points represent generosity, good fellowship, cleanness, courtesy, and compassion. A picture of Mary is on the other side of the shield, whom Gawain puts his faith into.
8. Gawain sais goodbye and leaves athe court with sparks flying. The lords and ladies grieved for his absience and said he would have made a great leader.
9. Gawain enters the winlderness, traveling through North Wales and the west coast of England in search of the Green Chaple.
10. He encounters various foes throughout his journey, like wolves and dragons, and always defeats them. He sleeps in the cold in just his armor with many nightmares.
11. On Christmas Eve Gawain prays to mary that he can find a place to celebrate Christmas Mass.
12. He crosses himself three times and he looks up and sees a massive castle, surrounded by a green park and a moat. He heads toward the drawbridge.
13. The casltle is white with tall turrets and intricate carvings. Gawain salutes a guardian whom allows him to enter.
14. Gawain askes if he would pass a message to the lord and ask for lodging. The porter leaves and returns with many others for a proper greeting. Then welcomed him through the gates and guided him to the lords hall.
15. The calstles lord greets Gawain. He’s middle-aged with a thick beard and sturdy legs. He had a stocky figure with a fiery face, but with a gracious, gentle voice.
16. The lord takes Gawain to a rich chamber, where the have an amazing feast with food and wine.
17. The lords and ladies play games and celebrate late into the nigh. Gawains presence is praised by the Lord and people, for he is a renowed Knight of The Round Table.
18. Gawain meets the two ladies, one with great beauty, and the other old and ugly, complete opposite women.
19. Gawain talds to the lady, plays many fun games, and eventually retires for bed.
20. Christmas morning they have breakfast, Gawain sitting happily with the laday, and the Lord next to the Old Lady.
21. It was a joyful morning, and two more similar to the first quickly pass, and Gawain feels pressure to continue his quest. He respectfully tells his host he can’t stay any longer, for he has an engagement.
22. Gawain explains to the Lord he must leave to find a mysterious Green Chaple, and if he knows of such a place. The Lord gladly tells him this chaple is close and that he will stay with them three more days because he can get there in no time at all.
23. Gawain gladly agrees to stay until New Year’s. The Lord tells Gawain to stay in the Castle and rest up unitl mass.
24. The lord proposes a bargain. During the day Gawain will rest, meanwhile the host will go out and hunt with his men. At the end of each of the three days, they will exchange whatever they have obtained throughout the day. Gawain excepts, and the men kiss, they then go off to bed.
2. There are two main examples of this motif in the second part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The first is the agreement to exchange any gifts that Sir Gawain and the Duke may obtain. The king will give what he catches in the hunt, and Sir Gawain will give anything he might find or receive in the castle. In the first hunt, the Duke kills a respectable deer. Sir Gawain receives one kiss from the Lady of the castle. On the second day the Duke kills a massive boar, and Gawain gives back to the Duke two kisses. On the third day however, the Duke brings back a small fox. Gawain, having received a green scarf that protects him from any blade, decides to keep the scarf, and instead give the Duke three kisses, that he did not actually receive. It was a dishonest exchange from Gawain, which is perhaps the reason the Duke brings back only a small fox. This fox can symbolize trickery, and dishonesty. Somehow the Duke new there wouldn’t be true exchange of gifts that day, possibly because it was a setup to begin with.
3. Sir Gawain is a religious man, and places his faith in Christianity. When he’s on his voyage, cold and alone, he prays to God and Mary, “That I might soon hear mass in a holy place.” “May Christ’s Cross lend me seed!” He’s asking to be quickly guided to a peaceful place to properly celebrate a holiday. Suddenly, “in the midst of the wood”, Sir Gawain sees a moated castle surrounded by massive trees, with great walls and structure. This castle was the result of his prayer. It symbolizes an answer to prayer. Sir Gawain asked and he received. He put his faith into God and was quickly rewarded with this castle. The castle representing this reward.
4. In the first section Gawain talks bad of himself as if he is less important. He tells King Arthur he is only a night, less important than a king, which is why he sacrifices himself. From my point of view, it was a courage’s, responsible, and modest decision made for the best of his king, and his people, even though he shows him self to be weak and less important. In the second section, everyone in the second castle talks of Sir Gawain as a famous knight, with an amazing reputation. He’s known as a night of the round table, and his name was popular. I see Sir Gawain as a modest, honorabe knight with high morals. He makes a inconsistent choice when he decides to keep the green scarf and lie the Duke. As cowardly as this is, I still feel he is an
honest knight who upholds the principles of the pentangle.
5. The story takes place at Camelot; the wilderness; the Duke’s castle.
Camelot is a silly place. There are many games, feasts, and dancing. Much joy is had at Camelot. The wilderness is cold and uncomfortable. Sir Gawain is spiritually lost there, which is why he prays for somewhere to properly spend the holidays. The Duke’s castle symbolizes the answer to prayer. It’s a massive castle and the people praise Sir Gawain for his reputation as a night. The castle has a mysterious, deceptful atmosphere.
1. Theres a brief summary of the New Year’s feast in part one and the Green Knight’s game with King Arthur is described as his New year’s gift.
2. The change of season is elaborately described, from the cold season, to spring, to harvest, then back to winter.
3. On All Hallows’ Day, the knights of Camelot had one last feast and prepared to send Gawain off on his quest for the Green Chapel.
4. Gawain calls for his armor, and the armor itself is described in great detail.
5. Sir Gawain gets dressed and armored and prepares to leave on his voyage. He meets with King Arthur and people one last time and the poet describes Gawain’s horse.
6. The knights give Sir Gawain the shield, which has the pentangle on one side, which comprises five points with no end and the knights virtues.
7. The significance of the pentangle is explained. The five points represent generosity, good fellowship, cleanness, courtesy, and compassion. A picture of Mary is on the other side of the shield, whom Gawain puts his faith into.
8. Gawain sais goodbye and leaves athe court with sparks flying. The lords and ladies grieved for his absience and said he would have made a great leader.
9. Gawain enters the winlderness, traveling through North Wales and the west coast of England in search of the Green Chaple.
10. He encounters various foes throughout his journey, like wolves and dragons, and always defeats them. He sleeps in the cold in just his armor with many nightmares.
11. On Christmas Eve Gawain prays to mary that he can find a place to celebrate Christmas Mass.
12. He crosses himself three times and he looks up and sees a massive castle, surrounded by a green park and a moat. He heads toward the drawbridge.
13. The casltle is white with tall turrets and intricate carvings. Gawain salutes a guardian whom allows him to enter.
14. Gawain askes if he would pass a message to the lord and ask for lodging. The porter leaves and returns with many others for a proper greeting. Then welcomed him through the gates and guided him to the lords hall.
15. The calstles lord greets Gawain. He’s middle-aged with a thick beard and sturdy legs. He had a stocky figure with a fiery face, but with a gracious, gentle voice.
16. The lord takes Gawain to a rich chamber, where the have an amazing feast with food and wine.
17. The lords and ladies play games and celebrate late into the nigh. Gawains presence is praised by the Lord and people, for he is a renowed Knight of The Round Table.
18. Gawain meets the two ladies, one with great beauty, and the other old and ugly, complete opposite women.
19. Gawain talds to the lady, plays many fun games, and eventually retires for bed.
20. Christmas morning they have breakfast, Gawain sitting happily with the laday, and the Lord next to the Old Lady.
21. It was a joyful morning, and two more similar to the first quickly pass, and Gawain feels pressure to continue his quest. He respectfully tells his host he can’t stay any longer, for he has an engagement.
22. Gawain explains to the Lord he must leave to find a mysterious Green Chaple, and if he knows of such a place. The Lord gladly tells him this chaple is close and that he will stay with them three more days because he can get there in no time at all.
23. Gawain gladly agrees to stay until New Year’s. The Lord tells Gawain to stay in the Castle and rest up unitl mass.
24. The lord proposes a bargain. During the day Gawain will rest, meanwhile the host will go out and hunt with his men. At the end of each of the three days, they will exchange whatever they have obtained throughout the day. Gawain excepts, and the men kiss, they then go off to bed.
2. There are two main examples of this motif in the second part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The first is the agreement to exchange any gifts that Sir Gawain and the Duke may obtain. The king will give what he catches in the hunt, and Sir Gawain will give anything he might find or receive in the castle. In the first hunt, the Duke kills a respectable deer. Sir Gawain receives one kiss from the Lady of the castle. On the second day the Duke kills a massive boar, and Gawain gives back to the Duke two kisses. On the third day however, the Duke brings back a small fox. Gawain, having received a green scarf that protects him from any blade, decides to keep the scarf, and instead give the Duke three kisses, that he did not actually receive. It was a dishonest exchange from Gawain, which is perhaps the reason the Duke brings back only a small fox. This fox can symbolize trickery, and dishonesty. Somehow the Duke new there wouldn’t be true exchange of gifts that day, possibly because it was a setup to begin with.
3. Sir Gawain is a religious man, and places his faith in Christianity. When he’s on his voyage, cold and alone, he prays to God and Mary, “That I might soon hear mass in a holy place.” “May Christ’s Cross lend me seed!” He’s asking to be quickly guided to a peaceful place to properly celebrate a holiday. Suddenly, “in the midst of the wood”, Sir Gawain sees a moated castle surrounded by massive trees, with great walls and structure. This castle was the result of his prayer. It symbolizes an answer to prayer. Sir Gawain asked and he received. He put his faith into God and was quickly rewarded with this castle. The castle representing this reward.
4. In the first section Gawain talks bad of himself as if he is less important. He tells King Arthur he is only a night, less important than a king, which is why he sacrifices himself. From my point of view, it was a courage’s, responsible, and modest decision made for the best of his king, and his people, even though he shows him self to be weak and less important. In the second section, everyone in the second castle talks of Sir Gawain as a famous knight, with an amazing reputation. He’s known as a night of the round table, and his name was popular. I see Sir Gawain as a modest, honorabe knight with high morals. He makes a inconsistent choice when he decides to keep the green scarf and lie the Duke. As cowardly as this is, I still feel he is an
honest knight who upholds the principles of the pentangle.
5. The story takes place at Camelot; the wilderness; the Duke’s castle.
Camelot is a silly place. There are many games, feasts, and dancing. Much joy is had at Camelot. The wilderness is cold and uncomfortable. Sir Gawain is spiritually lost there, which is why he prays for somewhere to properly spend the holidays. The Duke’s castle symbolizes the answer to prayer. It’s a massive castle and the people praise Sir Gawain for his reputation as a night. The castle has a mysterious, deceptful atmosphere.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Finnesburh Fragment:
The story of the fight in Finnesburh in which Hnaef and his followers were attacked in a hall by their foes has been told in allusive fashion in Beowulf. There are certain similarities that can be connected between this fragment and the story of Beowulf. In both stories there is a scene or scenes of battle and war. Like Beowulf, Hnaef and his people were attacked in there mead hall unexpectedly when they were sleeping. A feud was in place between the Frisians and Danish. It's possible the princess Hildeburh was given to Finn as a peace prise. Hrothgar's wife was also a peace pledge to Hrothgar, which i compare the fragment, this also emphasises the role of women. Both stories also involve attack while housing guests. Hnaef is visiting Finn and Beowulf is a victory to Hrothgar's kingdom. There are also symbols seen through the raven, which is seen in both stories as a sign of doom or misfortune.
Widsith:
This is a story of a poet and entertainer who travels to impossilbe places all around the world. He meets endless people of great importance and people who are also spoken of or seen in Beowulf. Breoca the Brondingas, Finn, son of Folcwalda, Sigehere, ruler of the Sea-Danes, the Franks and the Fisians. He even had encounters with Hrothwulf and Hrothgar and said things about there victory over the Heathobard tribe and when they took control over Heorot. Widsith him self had commanalities to Beowulf. There both very famous men, both known for different things but known well across the land. Widsith and Beowulf are both very aware of how good there at what they do, Beowulf as a warrior and Widsith as a poet. Widsith mensions he learned in his travels that the best of kings are the ones who allways respect there people and warriors, and all ways reward them with gold and riches. He sais these kings are the leaders who are most popular and respected. Beowulf, even though he views him self more a warrior, was allways generous to his fellow warriors and servants. Beowulf was known for this all around the land, as well and being known his great abilities in battle.
Grettir The Strong:
There is no limit to the similarities between Beowulf and Grettir The Strong. They have very similar plot lines, the one large difference to the comparison of Grettir and Beowulf is that Grettir is an out-law and Beowulf is a great king. Grettir heres of the monster who is bothering the people every year on Christmas. Grettir has a special skill in putting an end to hauntings and ghosts. Beowulf as well heres of Grendle, and knowing his great strenth travels to Heorot to help. Both men are going to help the people. Both men have amazing strength and fighting abilities, and they both know it. Beowulf waited for Grendle in Heorot pretending to be asleep, Grettir waits in the womends house for the troll women. Grettir chops the monsters arm off and wounds her greatly and she falls into the river, not knowing for sure if he had slayed her. Just like when Beowulf tore Grendles arm off, he ran way to his layer, Beowulf and the people unsure if he was dead. When Grettir when to the troll women's cave under the water fall, he was greeted by the trolls lover, who he kills. Beowulf is greeted by Grendles mother, whom he fights as well. So almost every aspect of Grettir The Strong corresponds to Beowulf, except slight differences such as the social profile of Beowulf and Grettir.
The story of the fight in Finnesburh in which Hnaef and his followers were attacked in a hall by their foes has been told in allusive fashion in Beowulf. There are certain similarities that can be connected between this fragment and the story of Beowulf. In both stories there is a scene or scenes of battle and war. Like Beowulf, Hnaef and his people were attacked in there mead hall unexpectedly when they were sleeping. A feud was in place between the Frisians and Danish. It's possible the princess Hildeburh was given to Finn as a peace prise. Hrothgar's wife was also a peace pledge to Hrothgar, which i compare the fragment, this also emphasises the role of women. Both stories also involve attack while housing guests. Hnaef is visiting Finn and Beowulf is a victory to Hrothgar's kingdom. There are also symbols seen through the raven, which is seen in both stories as a sign of doom or misfortune.
Widsith:
This is a story of a poet and entertainer who travels to impossilbe places all around the world. He meets endless people of great importance and people who are also spoken of or seen in Beowulf. Breoca the Brondingas, Finn, son of Folcwalda, Sigehere, ruler of the Sea-Danes, the Franks and the Fisians. He even had encounters with Hrothwulf and Hrothgar and said things about there victory over the Heathobard tribe and when they took control over Heorot. Widsith him self had commanalities to Beowulf. There both very famous men, both known for different things but known well across the land. Widsith and Beowulf are both very aware of how good there at what they do, Beowulf as a warrior and Widsith as a poet. Widsith mensions he learned in his travels that the best of kings are the ones who allways respect there people and warriors, and all ways reward them with gold and riches. He sais these kings are the leaders who are most popular and respected. Beowulf, even though he views him self more a warrior, was allways generous to his fellow warriors and servants. Beowulf was known for this all around the land, as well and being known his great abilities in battle.
Grettir The Strong:
There is no limit to the similarities between Beowulf and Grettir The Strong. They have very similar plot lines, the one large difference to the comparison of Grettir and Beowulf is that Grettir is an out-law and Beowulf is a great king. Grettir heres of the monster who is bothering the people every year on Christmas. Grettir has a special skill in putting an end to hauntings and ghosts. Beowulf as well heres of Grendle, and knowing his great strenth travels to Heorot to help. Both men are going to help the people. Both men have amazing strength and fighting abilities, and they both know it. Beowulf waited for Grendle in Heorot pretending to be asleep, Grettir waits in the womends house for the troll women. Grettir chops the monsters arm off and wounds her greatly and she falls into the river, not knowing for sure if he had slayed her. Just like when Beowulf tore Grendles arm off, he ran way to his layer, Beowulf and the people unsure if he was dead. When Grettir when to the troll women's cave under the water fall, he was greeted by the trolls lover, who he kills. Beowulf is greeted by Grendles mother, whom he fights as well. So almost every aspect of Grettir The Strong corresponds to Beowulf, except slight differences such as the social profile of Beowulf and Grettir.
Friday, September 25, 2009
21. (Pg 195) "So it is goodbye now to.....sooner die than live life of shame."
Wiglaf is angry with the wrriors who let down there king and ran away. He predicks that because of there cowardly acts other nations will here of this, leaving the Beowulf's nation vulnerable for attacks. With Beowulf gone, the Geats will have no intimadation. Wiglaf is a Swede, the only warrior who stays beside Beowulf in the time of danger. What does that say about the long fued between the Swedes and Geats, who are the stronger nation.
22. (Pg 203. Line 3024) "But the reaven winging...start work of the dead."
The raven, typically is a symbol of death and ate, the eagle symbolises courage and nobility. The raven and woulf feasting on the dead soldeirs symbolises doom and misfortune. This could show the defeat of good by evil, evil was vicotrious.
23. (Pg 205. Line 3051) "The huge cache, gold inherited...open the hoard."
The gold left by the ancient race, it's unclear who these people were, but there treasure is worthy of the guard of a dragon. I think this ancient race was the cursed race of the Giants. the giants were cursed to walk the land of the world by god, and God also cursed there treasure after they died off. You could aslo find a connection between this curse and the curse of the Caine line, curses is a reacuring motif as well.
24. (Pg 207. Line 3077) "Often when on man follows....until the end of the world."
Bewulf was the ultamate intimidator of the Geat nation. Wiglaf is discusing in his speach Beowulfs fate, and the fate he has bestowed on his people. He thinks they would have been better off fighting the dragon than being open for attacks from other nations with Beowulf gone.
25. (Pg 209. Line 3095) "He wanted me to greet you.....long time in the care of the almighty."
Beowulf, as the great warrior he was, was also a little proud and cocky. Beowulf thought of him self as a great warrior before a great king. This is seen through Wiglafs speech. So it can be argued that Beowulf was a good king because of the fate he has put on his warriors and nation. How can his warriors become good fighters if Beowulf is allways fighting the battles. Hes crippling them, like helping a babie to walk it's whole life, it will never learn to walk on it's own. I think Beowulf has cursed his nation and people. Now that he is gone they are all open to attacks from other nations. This is also seen in the very last line of the story when Beowulf is refered to as a great warrior, not king.
Wiglaf is angry with the wrriors who let down there king and ran away. He predicks that because of there cowardly acts other nations will here of this, leaving the Beowulf's nation vulnerable for attacks. With Beowulf gone, the Geats will have no intimadation. Wiglaf is a Swede, the only warrior who stays beside Beowulf in the time of danger. What does that say about the long fued between the Swedes and Geats, who are the stronger nation.
22. (Pg 203. Line 3024) "But the reaven winging...start work of the dead."
The raven, typically is a symbol of death and ate, the eagle symbolises courage and nobility. The raven and woulf feasting on the dead soldeirs symbolises doom and misfortune. This could show the defeat of good by evil, evil was vicotrious.
23. (Pg 205. Line 3051) "The huge cache, gold inherited...open the hoard."
The gold left by the ancient race, it's unclear who these people were, but there treasure is worthy of the guard of a dragon. I think this ancient race was the cursed race of the Giants. the giants were cursed to walk the land of the world by god, and God also cursed there treasure after they died off. You could aslo find a connection between this curse and the curse of the Caine line, curses is a reacuring motif as well.
24. (Pg 207. Line 3077) "Often when on man follows....until the end of the world."
Bewulf was the ultamate intimidator of the Geat nation. Wiglaf is discusing in his speach Beowulfs fate, and the fate he has bestowed on his people. He thinks they would have been better off fighting the dragon than being open for attacks from other nations with Beowulf gone.
25. (Pg 209. Line 3095) "He wanted me to greet you.....long time in the care of the almighty."
Beowulf, as the great warrior he was, was also a little proud and cocky. Beowulf thought of him self as a great warrior before a great king. This is seen through Wiglafs speech. So it can be argued that Beowulf was a good king because of the fate he has put on his warriors and nation. How can his warriors become good fighters if Beowulf is allways fighting the battles. Hes crippling them, like helping a babie to walk it's whole life, it will never learn to walk on it's own. I think Beowulf has cursed his nation and people. Now that he is gone they are all open to attacks from other nations. This is also seen in the very last line of the story when Beowulf is refered to as a great warrior, not king.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
16. (Pg 165. Line 2440) "That ffense was beyond....or pay his death price.
The death of Herebeald was unexpected and paticularly frusterating, for Hrethel especialy. Unfortuantly, Heathgn, Herebeald's brother, was the one that accidently killed him. Hrethel has no way to make this right because how could he put his own son to death. He says there is no one who could avenge the princes life, or pay his death price, which is the 2 part concept of werdgild. He can't have the murderer killed for the crime and there is no one to play the blood money. Nothing can be done about this death.
17. (Pg 175. Line 2575) "So the king of the Geats...had nead of at that moment."
Beowulf is a great warrior, he's faught caragiously in many battles and he has allways been very strong and his sword has never once failed him. The power of his stike is not enough to damage the dragon, it shows his growing weakness with his growing age. At the same time, a warriors sword represents who a man is as a fighter. When his sword fails him it's a bad sign, a sign of future down falls.
18. (Pg 183. Line 2711) "Then the wound delt by the ground burner earleir began to scald and swell."
this line is refering to the poisend enjury Beowulf recieves from the dragon, also called a "ground-burner". The ground burner refers to the dragon, it burns everything on the ground that it can. This is called a compound metaphor.
19. (Pg 183. Line 1724) "Beowulf spoke: in spite....knew his day in the word had been lived out to the end."
There is frequent conversation on weather Beowulf is a "super-hero" or not. He obviously has some degree of powers and strengths ebover average but is he imortal. In this line there may be a form of answer. It says "inspite of his wounds, mortal wounds,". This shows this injury in truth. It's a mortal wound, meaning it's a fatal would. Beowulf is going to die from this, showing his mortal weakness.
20. (Pg 189. "I give thanks.....endowed on the day i die."
Beowulf is thankful of the poeple that he can die so privliged and powerful as he is. He's thankful of the life he's had and that the people can let him go. This is ironic because in reality he's leaving them unprepared and vulneragle for nations to attack. Beowulf was the great intimidater of his nation, his people are in danger because he's gone.
The death of Herebeald was unexpected and paticularly frusterating, for Hrethel especialy. Unfortuantly, Heathgn, Herebeald's brother, was the one that accidently killed him. Hrethel has no way to make this right because how could he put his own son to death. He says there is no one who could avenge the princes life, or pay his death price, which is the 2 part concept of werdgild. He can't have the murderer killed for the crime and there is no one to play the blood money. Nothing can be done about this death.
17. (Pg 175. Line 2575) "So the king of the Geats...had nead of at that moment."
Beowulf is a great warrior, he's faught caragiously in many battles and he has allways been very strong and his sword has never once failed him. The power of his stike is not enough to damage the dragon, it shows his growing weakness with his growing age. At the same time, a warriors sword represents who a man is as a fighter. When his sword fails him it's a bad sign, a sign of future down falls.
18. (Pg 183. Line 2711) "Then the wound delt by the ground burner earleir began to scald and swell."
this line is refering to the poisend enjury Beowulf recieves from the dragon, also called a "ground-burner". The ground burner refers to the dragon, it burns everything on the ground that it can. This is called a compound metaphor.
19. (Pg 183. Line 1724) "Beowulf spoke: in spite....knew his day in the word had been lived out to the end."
There is frequent conversation on weather Beowulf is a "super-hero" or not. He obviously has some degree of powers and strengths ebover average but is he imortal. In this line there may be a form of answer. It says "inspite of his wounds, mortal wounds,". This shows this injury in truth. It's a mortal wound, meaning it's a fatal would. Beowulf is going to die from this, showing his mortal weakness.
20. (Pg 189. "I give thanks.....endowed on the day i die."
Beowulf is thankful of the poeple that he can die so privliged and powerful as he is. He's thankful of the life he's had and that the people can let him go. This is ironic because in reality he's leaving them unprepared and vulneragle for nations to attack. Beowulf was the great intimidater of his nation, his people are in danger because he's gone.
1. Pg 27: "With the strength of 30 men in the grip of each hand."
This parallels to Grendle taking the 30 men for feasting. Beowulf has this equal strength in each hand. Beowulf is known to have amazing strength even more powerful than Grendle's. This is also a form of insult towards Grendle saying he's less powerful than Beowulf.
2. Pg 23: "Their mail-shirts glinted....were as good as their weapons."
This explains the importance of a warriors weapons, armor, and gear. There only as good as there weapons and equipment. You are only as good as your possesions.
3. Pg 29: "They had seen the boltered in the blood.... I devestated them."
This is called an Epic Boast, which was expected in this society and looked at as a resemue. Beowulf is boasting and telling them what his accomplishments are.
4. Pg 23: "May the Almighty Father keep you and...."
This quote, like others seen frequently, refrences to Christanity and God. Christianity and Peganism are also seen often. I assume these ideas will continue and eventually become a main theme.
5. Pg 13: "He was kept from aproaching, he was the lords out-cast."
This is when Grendle can't aproach the throne because he is cursed by God. This shows a major weakness of Grenle and could foreshadow later disadvantages and a pontential down fall.
5. (Pg 13.) "He was kept from aproaching.....he was lords out cast."
Grendle, like the other members of the Cain clan, bears the mark of Cain. Grendle, because of this curse cant aproach the thrown. This shows Grendle's weakness and could possibly be responisble for a later weakness, or even downfall, later in the story.
This parallels to Grendle taking the 30 men for feasting. Beowulf has this equal strength in each hand. Beowulf is known to have amazing strength even more powerful than Grendle's. This is also a form of insult towards Grendle saying he's less powerful than Beowulf.
2. Pg 23: "Their mail-shirts glinted....were as good as their weapons."
This explains the importance of a warriors weapons, armor, and gear. There only as good as there weapons and equipment. You are only as good as your possesions.
3. Pg 29: "They had seen the boltered in the blood.... I devestated them."
This is called an Epic Boast, which was expected in this society and looked at as a resemue. Beowulf is boasting and telling them what his accomplishments are.
4. Pg 23: "May the Almighty Father keep you and...."
This quote, like others seen frequently, refrences to Christanity and God. Christianity and Peganism are also seen often. I assume these ideas will continue and eventually become a main theme.
5. Pg 13: "He was kept from aproaching, he was the lords out-cast."
This is when Grendle can't aproach the throne because he is cursed by God. This shows a major weakness of Grenle and could foreshadow later disadvantages and a pontential down fall.
5. (Pg 13.) "He was kept from aproaching.....he was lords out cast."
Grendle, like the other members of the Cain clan, bears the mark of Cain. Grendle, because of this curse cant aproach the thrown. This shows Grendle's weakness and could possibly be responisble for a later weakness, or even downfall, later in the story.
Free Verse: also known as vers libre - is a term describing various styles of poetry that are written without using a strict rhyme scheme, but still recognizable as poetry by virtue of complex patterns of one sort or another that readers will perceive to be part of a coherent whole.
Poems such as W. E. Henley's 'Discharged' (from his In Hospital sequence), and Robert Louis Stevenson's poems 'The Light-Keeper' and 'The Cruel Mistress' can be counted early examples of free verse.
Heroic Couplet: A heroic couplet is a traditional form for English poetry, commonly used for epic and narrative poetry; it refers to poems constructed from a sequence of rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines.
Use of the heroic couplet was first pioneered by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Legend of Good Women and the Canterbury Tales[1
Hyperbole: Scene III of Shakespeare’s play Othello:
If thou dost slander her and torture me,
Never pray more; abandon all remorse;
On horror’s head accumulate;
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
Greater than that.
Imagery: the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively.
There is much imagery in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. "He leaped upon the rail and balanced himself there, to get greater elevation; his pipe, striking a rope, was knocked from his mouth. He lunged for it; a short, hoarse cry came from his lips as he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance. The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head." Notice the appeals to touch "lunged" "blood -warm", hearing "hoarse cry."
Informal Diction: language that is not as lofty or impersonal as formal diction; similar to everyday speech.
Initiation Story: An initiation story is a fiction in which the protagonist (the most important character in the work) undergoes an experience that is life-changing, and usually that character is a young person who gains a measure of maturity from the experience.
Metaphor: A type of figurative language in which a statement is made that says that one thing is something else but, literally, it is not.
The wale-road for example is a metaphor which relates to the ocean.
Motif: A motif is a reacureing object or idea through literature or a paticular piece of literature. An example of a motif could be the green light at the end of Daisy’s doc that Gatsby can see from his house.
11. (pg 55. Line 832) "Clear proof of this could....his awesome grasp"
When Beowulf defeats Grendle he takes the arm that he tore off his body and holds it as high as he can. This is a symbol of Beowuls trophy and of his great victory.
12. (Pg 57. Line 846) "This is a description of Grendle's home, which is where he returns to die after fighting Beowulf. He lives in the heart of a swamp where there is no vegetation or any sign of life. With the continuous reverences to God and heaven, this is a reference to hell. Grendle's layer is like hell.
13. (Pg 67. Line 1016) "Inside Heorot there was....with feud and betrayal."
This is explaining that there was nothing known in Heorot but freindship and high spirits. The people of the Seilding nation have never been familiar with betrayl and fued. This is foreshadow to future attacks on Heorot from other enemies. It is possible that these attacks could come from Grendle's mother, however there were no hints to that in these lines.
14. (Pg 69. Line 1049) "The chieftain went on to reward the others...Grendle had cruelly killed earleir."
This fits into the qualities of a good king, and the importance of a good king to allways reward his warriors with valuables to express his apreciation. This is important for kings to ensure the warriors respect and the peoples opinions. Horathgar gives treasures to Beowulf and his men who came with him on the journey. He is a good and popular king.
15. (Pg 89. Line 1258) "Grenle's mother, monstrous hell-bride, brooded onher rongs...amoung them Grendle."
Grendle's mother was "brodded for her rongs." This means she was banished, or exiled, wich is large motif through out the story. Grende's mom, along with the rest of the Cain clan were all cursed and exiled, this is where this motif is strongest.
Posted by Thomas at 11:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 17, 2009
6. Pg 35 Line 500 "Unferth, son of Ecglof's...sick with envy."
This is one example of the qualities of a warrior or king shouldn't have. In the line it says he's "sick with envy." He's jelous of Beowulf, jelousy is a bad trait. Unferth is also a coward, kin killer, and he doesn't defend his king according to Beowulf.
7. Pg 35 Line 515 "The ocean swayed... the strong contender."
This is the most obvious sign of fliting seen in this section, or trash talking, toward Beowulf from Unforth. Later in this conversation Beowulf does the same thing back to Unforth. This was a popular thing among warriors and kings however it was still an insult. Men were expected to defend their honor when it was threatend.
8. Pg 39 Line 563 "There would be no monsters...like the oceans leavings."
I like this staitment because of the ironie and the humor that comes from that irony. He sais it as if the sea creatures had a peaceful death but it was just opposite. Beowulf grucemly choped them up into tiny peices and let them float in into the ocean. He sais by the sleep of the sword, meaning death by the sword. There's nuthing peacefull about his actions but he sias it as if were.
9. Pg 39 Line 559 "Time and again, foul things attacked me....I landed safe on the coast of inland.
"This is beowulfs arrogant boast. Boasting was an expected tradition for warriors. beowulf does this to defend him from the insult from Unforth and to explain and brag about his greatness of power and strength. He's showing to the king why he is the man for the hob and why he deserves to be there.
10. Pg 53 "That no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their demon apponet."
Grendle can't be damaged or killed by any blade or blacksmith's art. Grendle was of the clan of Cain. God cursed Cain and his offspring for killing Able. This mark of Cain on grenle is possibly the reason for this protection agains blades, the curse protects him, which is an irony as well.
Poems such as W. E. Henley's 'Discharged' (from his In Hospital sequence), and Robert Louis Stevenson's poems 'The Light-Keeper' and 'The Cruel Mistress' can be counted early examples of free verse.
Heroic Couplet: A heroic couplet is a traditional form for English poetry, commonly used for epic and narrative poetry; it refers to poems constructed from a sequence of rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines.
Use of the heroic couplet was first pioneered by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Legend of Good Women and the Canterbury Tales[1
Hyperbole: Scene III of Shakespeare’s play Othello:
If thou dost slander her and torture me,
Never pray more; abandon all remorse;
On horror’s head accumulate;
Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed;
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
Greater than that.
Imagery: the formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things, or of such images collectively.
There is much imagery in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. "He leaped upon the rail and balanced himself there, to get greater elevation; his pipe, striking a rope, was knocked from his mouth. He lunged for it; a short, hoarse cry came from his lips as he realized he had reached too far and had lost his balance. The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head." Notice the appeals to touch "lunged" "blood -warm", hearing "hoarse cry."
Informal Diction: language that is not as lofty or impersonal as formal diction; similar to everyday speech.
Initiation Story: An initiation story is a fiction in which the protagonist (the most important character in the work) undergoes an experience that is life-changing, and usually that character is a young person who gains a measure of maturity from the experience.
Metaphor: A type of figurative language in which a statement is made that says that one thing is something else but, literally, it is not.
The wale-road for example is a metaphor which relates to the ocean.
Motif: A motif is a reacureing object or idea through literature or a paticular piece of literature. An example of a motif could be the green light at the end of Daisy’s doc that Gatsby can see from his house.
11. (pg 55. Line 832) "Clear proof of this could....his awesome grasp"
When Beowulf defeats Grendle he takes the arm that he tore off his body and holds it as high as he can. This is a symbol of Beowuls trophy and of his great victory.
12. (Pg 57. Line 846) "This is a description of Grendle's home, which is where he returns to die after fighting Beowulf. He lives in the heart of a swamp where there is no vegetation or any sign of life. With the continuous reverences to God and heaven, this is a reference to hell. Grendle's layer is like hell.
13. (Pg 67. Line 1016) "Inside Heorot there was....with feud and betrayal."
This is explaining that there was nothing known in Heorot but freindship and high spirits. The people of the Seilding nation have never been familiar with betrayl and fued. This is foreshadow to future attacks on Heorot from other enemies. It is possible that these attacks could come from Grendle's mother, however there were no hints to that in these lines.
14. (Pg 69. Line 1049) "The chieftain went on to reward the others...Grendle had cruelly killed earleir."
This fits into the qualities of a good king, and the importance of a good king to allways reward his warriors with valuables to express his apreciation. This is important for kings to ensure the warriors respect and the peoples opinions. Horathgar gives treasures to Beowulf and his men who came with him on the journey. He is a good and popular king.
15. (Pg 89. Line 1258) "Grenle's mother, monstrous hell-bride, brooded onher rongs...amoung them Grendle."
Grendle's mother was "brodded for her rongs." This means she was banished, or exiled, wich is large motif through out the story. Grende's mom, along with the rest of the Cain clan were all cursed and exiled, this is where this motif is strongest.
Posted by Thomas at 11:07 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 17, 2009
6. Pg 35 Line 500 "Unferth, son of Ecglof's...sick with envy."
This is one example of the qualities of a warrior or king shouldn't have. In the line it says he's "sick with envy." He's jelous of Beowulf, jelousy is a bad trait. Unferth is also a coward, kin killer, and he doesn't defend his king according to Beowulf.
7. Pg 35 Line 515 "The ocean swayed... the strong contender."
This is the most obvious sign of fliting seen in this section, or trash talking, toward Beowulf from Unforth. Later in this conversation Beowulf does the same thing back to Unforth. This was a popular thing among warriors and kings however it was still an insult. Men were expected to defend their honor when it was threatend.
8. Pg 39 Line 563 "There would be no monsters...like the oceans leavings."
I like this staitment because of the ironie and the humor that comes from that irony. He sais it as if the sea creatures had a peaceful death but it was just opposite. Beowulf grucemly choped them up into tiny peices and let them float in into the ocean. He sais by the sleep of the sword, meaning death by the sword. There's nuthing peacefull about his actions but he sias it as if were.
9. Pg 39 Line 559 "Time and again, foul things attacked me....I landed safe on the coast of inland.
"This is beowulfs arrogant boast. Boasting was an expected tradition for warriors. beowulf does this to defend him from the insult from Unforth and to explain and brag about his greatness of power and strength. He's showing to the king why he is the man for the hob and why he deserves to be there.
10. Pg 53 "That no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their demon apponet."
Grendle can't be damaged or killed by any blade or blacksmith's art. Grendle was of the clan of Cain. God cursed Cain and his offspring for killing Able. This mark of Cain on grenle is possibly the reason for this protection agains blades, the curse protects him, which is an irony as well.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
1. Conchobhar mac Nessa, son of Ness, was the legendary king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. The details on his birth are unclear, but there are some theories. He was named after the river he was born into as a baby, Conchobar River. His was mother was told that her baby would become a great king and have everlasting fame if she gave birth to him one day later than expected, the day Jesus Christ was born, which she did. He was raised by a man named Cathbad, who could have been his biological father, but it’s not definite. Eventually Conchobhar is killed at Baile Ath in Urchair, from a wound inflicted by the skull of Meis-Geghra, which was flung at his head by a Connacht warrior, Cet. This death ends up being a famous story called The Death of Conchobhar.
2. A different story involving Conchobhar I will tell you about is the Cattle Raid of Cooley. Medb, daughter of Eocho, raises an army and launches an invasion of Ulster to steal the bull Donn Cuailnge. All the Ulstermen, including Conchobhar, are unable to fight because of the curse of Macha. All except Cuchulainn, who fights a series of combats hoping to give the Ulstermen time to recover. Cuchulainns father Sualtam goes to Conchobhar and demands he raise his army before it’s to late. Realizing he broke protocol by talking strait to Conchobhar, Sualtom runs away but falls and kill s him self on his shield. Conchobhar raises his army and leads them into battle. Medb is eventually forced to retreat by Cuchulainn, but manages to bring the bull back to Connacht.
3. Conchobhar was a great king. He had strict rules and well known. He symbolizes a legendary king and warrior; he represents a perfect man, physically and mentally. He was perfect in form and shape and dress, in size and straightness and symmetry, in eye and hair and whiteness, in wisdom and good manners and speech, in amplitude and dignity. But he did have his flaws. He was proud, cocky and he knew he was magnificent. Other people, like Cet knew of this weakness as showed in the Death of Conchobhar. He uses the women to distract Conchobhar so he could kill him.
4. I think Conchobhar is an exciting, powerful character. He catches my attention with his style and authority. In his stories he is thought of the perfect man and king. I imagine a very strong, intimidating king, and I’m sure he knew how powerful he was. He was however cocky, and easily distracted. His weakness to receive attention lead to his downfall.
5. LOOK UP
6. In the end of “The Death of Conchobhar”, there’s irony found in Conchobhar’s actions taken to revenge Christ for his death. Yes, this is a loyal and honorable action, but Conchobhar is only interested in Jesus because they share the same birthday, and it’s ironic because Chonchobhar doesn’t completely understand what or who he’s revenging, he doesn’t understand religion. He feels the responsibility to revenge his fallen warrior.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Although there are many motifs in this story, such as birds, kin killing, and mutilation of horses, but the most reacuring moif i noticed was magic. This motif appears several times through out this novel and literature.
The first example of the use of magic is the cauldron of reserection. It has the power to reserect the dead when that person is lade down in the cauldron. Malthowych tells Bendigeidfran of two poeple who had the cauldron. After these two people left the Kingdom of Malthowych, as bad terms, they ended up at Wales, which is how the Cauldron got in the possesion of Bendigiedfran. He he gave it to Malthowych to repay him for what his brother Efnisian did to his horses.
Branwen uses her power to to train a bird for three years to find Bendigeifran and tell him she was being mis-treated by Matholwch. Without this message, Bendigeifran would not have been known anything about this disrespect to his family, which brings me to the next example. After Bendigeifran heres whats happening to his sister, he is enraged. He uses his power to become a giant and wade across the water passage with his entire army. The people of ireland thought it was a mountain crossing the water, and they thought the ships was a large moving forest.
Bendigeifran, and his 4 brothers and sister poses powers, there mother is known to be a farry, which is where they obtain these abilities.
The first example of the use of magic is the cauldron of reserection. It has the power to reserect the dead when that person is lade down in the cauldron. Malthowych tells Bendigeidfran of two poeple who had the cauldron. After these two people left the Kingdom of Malthowych, as bad terms, they ended up at Wales, which is how the Cauldron got in the possesion of Bendigiedfran. He he gave it to Malthowych to repay him for what his brother Efnisian did to his horses.
Branwen uses her power to to train a bird for three years to find Bendigeifran and tell him she was being mis-treated by Matholwch. Without this message, Bendigeifran would not have been known anything about this disrespect to his family, which brings me to the next example. After Bendigeifran heres whats happening to his sister, he is enraged. He uses his power to become a giant and wade across the water passage with his entire army. The people of ireland thought it was a mountain crossing the water, and they thought the ships was a large moving forest.
Bendigeifran, and his 4 brothers and sister poses powers, there mother is known to be a farry, which is where they obtain these abilities.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Death of Conchobhar – (revised)
Once apon a time there were 3 drunk Ulstermen in Emhain Macha. These Ulstermen was Conall, Cu Chulainn, and Loeghaire. “Bring me the brain of Meis-Geghra so I can play w ith it, and talk to the spirits.” Said Conall. In this time, it was normal for the Ulstermen to take out the brains of any warrior they killed in single combat and mix them with lime, so they become hard balls. Conall then sais, “Well now, Conchobhar, until the warriors do a task like this one in battle, they aren’t worthy to fight with me.” ‘That is true’, said Conchobhar.Meis-Geghra’s brain was then put on a shelf where it would stay permently. Conchobhar went on his way the next day to amuse himself. Cet the son of Madu came to Ulster on adventures, he was known as the most troublesome man in Ireland. When Cet overheard the warrior buffoons talking and playing with the brain of Meis-Geghra. He then stole the brain from the warrior knowing it had the spirit of Meis-Geghra with it. Cet kept his brain on his belt with him in every battle after that, hoping to kill an Ulstermen with it and become famous. One day, the Ulstermen persued Cet driving a herd of cattle, fortunately for cet the men of Connaught arrived to defend him. Conchobbhar him self came to the battle. Cet decides to use several beautiful women to distract the cocky Conchobbhar and give him self and chance to use the brain of Meis-Geghra on the great king. Cet got in the middle of the women, and flung the brain into the top of Conchobhar’s skull, resulting in the king falling to the ground, and remaining unconcious intell the battle was over the next morning. Conchobhar’s doctor, Finghin, explains to him that if the stone is removed he will die for sure, if it is left he will have a dis-figurement on his perfect body, but he will stay alive. So the Finghin sewed his wound with gold thread, and told Conchobhar to watch his anger, and that he couldn’t do anything physical for the rest of his life.
The king survived in this state for seven years, until he heard that Christ was crucified by the Jews. He did not understand why this has happened. His druid then told him Jesus Christ was born on the same night as he was, but on a different year of course. Conchobhar was enraged. “A thousand warriors will die under my command to revenge Christ.” He went for his spears, he took his sword in his hand and attacked the forest around him. He then said, ‘Thus would I avenge Christ on the Jews and on those who crucified Him, if I could get at them. With this anger and excitement, Meis-Geghra’s brain popped out of his head, and Conchobhar’s brains came out as well, and he died of it….
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