Act 5

1.) I think the gravedigger does his riddles and song to help him not think of death as such a sad thing and to help him not be affected by the sadness of burring dead people all the time. His riddles and songs fit into the play because they all have to deal with death and soon everyone is going to die.


2.) Hamlet realizes that dieing is apart of life and it changes the way he looks at life in general. Yorik was a great and well loved friend to Hamlet. Hamlet's relationship with Yorik is similar to his with Ophelia's because he loved them both. It is different because Ophelia betrayed him and Yorik did not so he still had trust for him.

3.) Hamlet is thirty. We know this because he was born the same year king Hamlet defeated Fortinbras.

4.) This argument shows that Hamlet really did love Ophelia and Laertes is only acting so sad because he wants to make a dramatic appearance and make himself look good in front of the king and queen.

5.) Hamlet begins to realize that Claudius wants him killed so he puts his thoughts into action and has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed. He starts to change because he begins to think all the way through and for the better of himself and is wants people to pay for what they have done to him.

6.) His motives on killing Claudius change because he wants to kill him now not only for killing his father but because he married his mother, stole the throne from him, and Hamlet thinks he is going to keep causing problems. This is different from the first time he was going to kill him because he wanted to wait until he sinned again and now he wants to kill him soon before he did more harm to Hamlet's life.

7.) When Osric is talking to Hamlet he is trying to convince him how good of a person Laertes is. He says how is a nice man who is very good at being of the high social class. In this scene the concern is that Hamlet might be stronger than Laertes and has the strength to kill the king and Laertes.

8.) He defies agury because he is putting his life in the hands of fate and is letting it decide if he is going to die in the sword fight or die at another time.

9.) He is still resenting Hamlet because he can not forgive him for killing his father and sister because he wants to obtain his honor. He has already lost his sense of honor because he has a plan to beat Hamlet in sword fighting by cheating. All of the people getting revenge in this book are avenging for loved ones. Laertes is going to do what ever it takes to kill Hamlet because he killed his Polonius and Ophelia.

10.)Throughout the play Gertrude has been dependent on men and when she dies she is calling for Hamlet to see if he can do anything about it. Laertes says he has been killed because his plan backfired on him and he was the type of character that went through with things he just didn't always come up with a plan to follow. Claudius asks for protection and this reflects on his character because he never wanted to do his own dirty work and had others spy and do his work for him.

11.) In a way Hamlet could have won. He did all that he wanted to do in the story. He avenged for his father, killed Claudius and all the other people that were involved in trapping him. He did not become king but when he died he was honored like a king and was finally understood in the end.

Act 3 Scenes 3-4

1.) Claudius begins to realize Hamlet knows he killed the old King.

2.)Exposition: We are introduced to the characters and the situation they are dealing with. We meet the ghost and find out all the confusion he has been causing. We find out how Hamlet feels about his mother's new marriage to his uncle. Claudius gives a speech to make it seem as if he is not performing incest. The ghost disappears and appears out of no where at different times but never speaks until it wants Hamlet to follow it. Hamlet does so not knowing what it wants or what it may do to him.
Inciting Event: The ghost speaks to Hamlet and tells him how his father died. He is told that Claudius poisoned him and he needs to get revenge on him for his father's death.
Rising Action: Hamlet begins to act crazy my freaking Ophelia out and not letting anybody know what is wrong with him. The king and Polonius realize there is something wrong with Hamlet so they spy on him and send Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Ophelia to find out what is wrong with him. Hamlet puts on a play in the attempt to get Claudius to confess he killed the old king.

1.) Claudius plans to send Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because he realizes he is a threat.

2.) Polonius is going to hide in Hamlet's mother's room to eavesdrop on the conversation they are having and then tell the king what he has heard.

3.) a. He states that he actually feels guilty about killing his brother and wants to be forgiven.
b. He also admits to being a bad person and being selfish because he wants to be forgiven but still keep the things he got from sinning, his brother's wife and the thrown.
c. He is in the perfect state for being killed because he is confessing and asking forgiveness to go up to heaven, this could be saying that he knows Hamlet is trying to get revenge and might kill him so he wants to be forgiven of all sins before he dies.

4.) It is odd because the king just stated he can not pray and doesn't know how to ask for such forgiveness.

5.)Hamlet was going to kill him but since he was praying and asking forgiveness Hamlet thinks he would be doing him a favor because he would go to heaven with his sins forgiven, unlike his father who had no time to ask forgiveness. Instead he decides to wait to kill him until he sins again.

1.) Polonius tells the Queen to tell Hamlet he has been burdensome and has been causing much trouble to many people including herself and the king.

2.) Hamlet finds out he is being spied on once again and calls Polonius a rat and then calls him a dead rat, meaning he is going to kill Polonius.

3.) This quote is odd because Hamlet is now trying to blame his father's death on his mother and claiming she had something to do with the murder.

4.) Gertrude doesn't understand why Hamlet is getting so mad at her and doesn't know her new husband killed her old husband. She also may think she has done nothing wrong and thinks marrying her husband's brother was the right thing to do.

5.) He says his father is a curly haired man, with beautiful eyes, and is like a Greek god. He says Claudius looks like a mildewed ear of corn.

6.) He is trying to tell his mother that King Hamlet was a kind, gentle, and powerful man who was so great it seemed as if a god had blessed him. He is saying that Claudius is like an overpowering weed that just wants control.

7.) It is disturbing because he not only telling us but his mother what he knows about his mother and his uncle's relationship.

8.) Hamlet stops yelling at Gertrude when the ghost appears to him. He tells him to not make things worse because she can't handle the horrible images and thoughts he is putting into her head and instead he needs to talk to her.

9.) Hamlet talks about how making good habits and resisting the bad will help make you a better person. This can reflect his craziness because he is getting into the bad habit of killing people, but it is to avenge his father. He is also getting into the habit of being rude to women and making them feel worthless and terrible. He also says how he likes to see other peoples plans not work out the way they wanted them to. This can also reflect his insanity because he is now changing his ways and getting joy out of people that have had failures.

10.) In act one the ghost was able to be seen by others and not just Hamlet. The ghost appeared to be there to cause confusion and then to explain why he was there. In act three the ghost is only seen by Hamlet and is trying to get Hamlet to help his mother be at peace. This can make Hamlet appear crazy because in scene three it seems he is just talking to himself and having hallucinations.

Act 3 Scenes 1-2

1.) They tell him that Hamlet is acting crazy but he never really answered their questions so they don't know what he is thinking and why he is acting crazy.



2.) He is agreeing with what Polonius said and confirming he killed the king.



3.) Polonius and the King want Ophelia to talk to Hamlet while they spy on the conversation to see if he is crazy for her love or just gone mad.



4.) Hamlet is debating whether he should commit suicide to save himself from all the burden that are to come. The nature of this soliloquy is dark and Hamlet is contemplating what would be more honorable and courageous.



5.) He is arguing if it is better to commit suicide for his mental relief or to stay and be courageous and fight for his father.



6.) He is so cruel to Ophelia because she returned his love letters which is saying she does not love him. He is changed and treats her even worse because he realizes it is a set up and Polonius is spying on them.



7.) Hamlet is saying that all that are married shall live except for one, being Claudius. Which is saying he is going to kill him.



8.) The king wants to send Hamlet on a sea voyage to England.



9.) He thinks Horatio can be well trusted and is a just man, meaning he will do the right thing and knows right from wrong.



10.) He asks Horatio to watch his uncle's face during the scene his father is killed to see if it is full of guilt.



11.) A king and queen are deeply in love. When the king is alone he is killed from a man who put poison in his ear. This man is said to be his nephew and later marries dead king's queen and becomes king.



12.) He refers the play with in a play as a mouse trap because he is cornering his uncle to admitting he murdered his father.



13.) He is questioning Hamlet if he really knows what they play is about and becomes suspicious thinking Hamlet may know he killed his father.

14.) He compares himself to an instrument because he thinks he is being used and played upon.

15.) He is going to be cruel to her but not harm her otherwise he would be making himself a hypocrite.

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1 Soliloquy

Hamlet is debating whether it is better to be alive and be courageous or to be dead. He says how to die is similar to sleeping it gets rid of your heart-ache and all the many troubles life throws at you. When you sleep you dream but Hamlet wonders what dreams you might have when you are in death sleep. He is saying why wouldn't you kill yourself rather than put up with all of life's problems. Then he thinks that the people who don't spare their lives and deal with their burdens are scared of something after death. He states that no one has returned from this undiscovered country, death, and this causes much confusion about what it is really like. He calls those who are too scared to experience death, because their questions are not answered so they know nothing about the unknown place, are cowards because they'd rather suffer through life. Because of this fear things of great magnitude and importance get a loss of consideration and men lose their natural sense of courage. He then hears Ophelia coming so he becomes quite and changes the subject.

Act 2 question

1.) Polonius tells Reynaldo to go to Paris to spy on Laertes. He plans to trap his son by lying and asking questions to people Laertes may know, to figure out what he has been up to.

2.) This tells us that Polonius really only cares about his self image. He wants to check on his son's image so it will not come back and give him a bad reputation.

3.) Hamlet goes to Ophelia half naked acting as if he had gone crazy.

4.) They have been sent to Denmark to find out what is going on with Hamlet and why he is acting the way he is.

5.) Hamlet asks the players to act out the tale of Aeneas. This mimics his position because like Achilles's son Hamlet has to get revenge on his father's death.

6.) Ophelia is telling her father that she has done what he told her to do and has been refusing Hamlet.

7.) The Queen is telling Polonius to speak get to the point about why Hamlet has gone crazy and speak with less logic and vulgarity.

8.) Hamlet is talking about how he has every right to avenge for his father and he will do it with words.

9.) Polonius is telling Reynaldo how he is going to find out what Laertes is up to by saying false statements to people Laertes may know to see their reaction.

10.) Hamlet is saying how he is the sun and he will bread on dead dogs which represent women and Polonius's daughter.

11.) Direct: Denmark as a prison

Extended: garden of eden, and the fall of men

Implied: poison going through the ears

12.) Ophelia came to Polonius scared because Hamlet came to her acting crazy and he assumed it was for his love.

13.) Hamlet thinks that Denmark is a prison but Rosencrantz and Gildenstern think nothing is wrong with it. Hamlet also thinks that his mom marring his uncle shortly after his fathers death is wrong.

14.) A fishmonger can me slang for pimp. Hamlet is using this as an insult to Polonius to tell him he is of low social class.

15.) Jephitah is a man who sacraficed his daughter for political reasons.

Hamlet Soliloquy

Hamlet is disgusted that his mother is marrying his uncle and thinks it is impure and an act of sin. He is saying how life is now pointless and he is at the point where he can kill himself but he won't because of the sixth commandment. He compares it to a garden that is being destroyed and taken over by weeds and unwanted plants because it is not taken care of. His father, a great king, has not been dead for a long time and took such great care of his mother so he doesn't understand why she is marrying his uncle. He is pretty much calling his mom and emotional idiot because she is handling his father's death the right way and her thought process is totally off on the whole situation. He doesn't understand why she would marry his uncle, who was so insincere about his fathers death. He knows this marriage is no good but he has to keep his mouth shut.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 3

1.) He tells her that Hamlet can not be fully trusted and he could only be saying his sweet words because he needs her for the throne.

2.) This fits into the idealongy of a decaying garden because it is saying how if you are not a virgin you are worthless.

3.) She tells her brother that she will keep his word in mind but she doesn't get how she can take advice from someone who is ignoring his own advice. She knows what he is doing in France and feels he does not have the right to preach to her.

4.) Don't say what your thinking and don't be too quick to speak. Don't be too friendly to people and once you figure who your friends are hold onto them. Hear everyones opinion but reserve your judgment. Buy clothes only of good quality. Don't borrow or lend money.

5.) He says that Hamlets words may seem to be true pay but really they are sterling. This means that his words may seem real but they are not true.

6.) You must not take for fire. Polonius is warning Ophelia to not think what her and Hamlet have is true love even if she has a fiery sensation in her heart because it will burn out before his promises are done.

7.) He commands Ophelia to not believe Hamlet because he doesn't mean what he says and he is just trying to get you to do wrong. He tells her to not waste her time with Hamlet.

8.) He is saying how even though the country is good in battle they have a bad reputation of drinking. He is also saying that a small amount of evil, will overwhelm all good.

9.) Horatio doesn't want Hamlet to follow the ghost because he think it will drive him mad.

10.) He commands the guards to not follow him because it is only in his place to follow the ghost.

Hamlet Act 1 Scene 1

1.) Interest is created in this opening scene by having the king's ghost appear. This causes confusion and fear among the sentinels and castle.

2.) We are told that this ghost has appeared before. He looks just like the king and is dressed in armor as if ready for war. When they ask him questions he does not answer. The king also disappears and comes back many times causing much confusion and keeping people on their toes.

3.) Marcellus tries to strike the ghost but it disappears again. They realize that the ghost could be trying to warn them of something so they decide to tell Hamlet.

4.) The mood of the scene is eerie.

5.) The sentries are apprehensive because the ghost looks like the king. The ghost also disappears and appears out of no where.

6.) Horatio thinks the ghost came to secretly warn of the countries fate or to come back for treasure they left upon the earth.

7.) Barnardo, Francisco, Horatio, Marcellus, and the King's Ghost

8.) Horatio says the old King defeated old King Fortinbras.

9.) Young Fortinbras is the prince of Norway and the son of Old King Fortinbras.

10.) He says Rome had people coming out of their tombs, comets had fiery tails and dews of blood, there was portents in the sun, and the moon was almost eclipsed.

11.) Horatio knows a lot more about the history of things and is a scholar, like Hamlet.

12.) Horatio is in scene 1 to give us back ground information and to set up the story.

13.) We are told that Denmark and Norway are enemies and have been for a long time.

Fit 4

1.) When Gawain comes upon Bertilak's castle it is like he is crossing over into heaven. He is very much alive and confident when he first leaves king Arthur's kingdom and is living in the present. When he arrives at Bertilak's castle it is like he is crossing into heaven. When he gets there they play games, drink, and are merry. When he leaves the castle things turn to worse for him and he becomes very disappointed in himself.
2.) Gawain is reborn physically because his life is spared during the beheading contest with the Green Knight. He is reborn spiritually because he learns not to put his faith in objects but rather in God. In the beheading contest rather than chopping his head off the first time he swing three times and never fully cuts off his head he only gets a cut on his neck. He is very disappointed in himself when he puts his faith in the green girdle that the Lady gave him because he thought it could save his life but really he is going to be mad at himself for the rest of his time thinking he failed.
3.) I agree with the Green Knights point of Gawain. The Green Knight knows that Gawain failed but he focuses more on the accomplishments rather than the negative things he did. He helps Gawain know that he did more good than bad and he should be proud of himself.
4.) I think Gawain will be mad at himself for the rest of his life but I think it will help him as a knight. Him being mad will help encourage him to do better and make a better name for himself.
5.) I believe Morgan La Fey is the one that is in control of the book. She is one that is making every one play the game to test Gawain. She took the power of Merlyn making her very powerful. She controls the Green Knight and the Lady which are the ones that are influencing Gawain.

fit 3

2.) Gawain's faith is tested in fit three. He is still obsessed with being perfect and does not want to do anything that will ruin his relationship with god or the king. He still has honor because he never dishonored the king or lady. He never slept with the King's wife. He did not dishonor the lady in the long run because in the end he accepts the green girdle as a gift to save his life and he also hid it from the king, just as she asked.

3.) The climax is when Gawain find the Green Chapel and encounters the Green Knight. When the Green Knight tries to cut Gawain with the axe three times and it barely harms him.

4.) I think the green girdle is a symbol of Gawain's fate because it saves his life and it was all part of the plan for the Lady to give it to him once she realized she could not go any further with Gawain.

5.) Gawain makes the sign of the Cross, as if by prayer to escape the Lady knowing that she has entered his room once again to try to seduce him. When Gawain resists the Lady he says he will be her knight and that God would reward her. He probably says this so that she knows something greater than him will come being rewarded by God and having great value.

Gawain questions fit 3 #1

In fit three there are three hunting scenes and three bedroom senses. Every time they go out to hunt it becomes harder for them to catch and kill their prey. Every time the lady tries to seduce Gawain it becomes harder for him to resist her temptation. The hunting symbolize the Lady hunting Sir Gawain.

When Bertilak and his men go out hunting for the first day it is a game to them. They watched the male deer run by and then when the female deers passed they easily shot them down and killed them. This hunt was a very loud hunt with much yelling and dogs sounding. After killing the deer they tear them apart and keep what ever they want of the deer and leave the rest for what ever animal needs it. In the first scene in the bedroom the lady traps Gawain and sneaks up on him like they snuck up on the deer. The idea of the hunters picking apart the deer symbolizes how the Lady traps Gawain with her words and picks him apart to get what she needs out of him and to see if he will easily cave into her temptation. She talks him up trying to make him seem great and to make it seem like she actually adores him. She leaves him with a kiss and tells him he is not as great as he was talked up to be because he refused her.

In the second hunt the men use the dogs to trap and find the boar. Unlike the deer the boar threatens the hunters and fights back in a way. They shoot the boar with bow and arrows but this tactic does not work the same way it did with the deer, what was thrown at the boar didn't even hurt or affect him. Bertilak chases this beast into the dark and it is turned into a day long hunt. They trapped him again and no one was brave enough to defeat him so Bertilak goes at him with a sword and kills him letting the dogs eat the dead boar and takes what he wants. Like the boar Gawain starts to fight back but allows the Lady to do much more with him and manipulate him.

The third animal they hunt is a fox who is very hard to catch due to its size and speed. The fox runs as far as he can before he realizes he can not run any further and is found by the hounds. The Lady still tries to trap Gawain with words and make him feel in denial for not sleeping with her. She then gives him the green girdle which he did not want to accept from her until he learned it could save his life.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Fit 2)

1.) First Stanza: Gawain prepares to leave king Author's castle. It tells of how the people are going to miss him and it describes how well dressed in great armour Gawain is to go off on his quest.
Second Stanza: Explains in detail about the shield that Gawain was granted and the pentangle, also known as the Knot without End, enscribed on it in pure gold. Gawain rides away leaving the lords and ladies sorrowful. Gawain goes throughout the wilderness searching for the Green Chapel and the Green Knight. It talks about how his faith in God saved him many times in battle against beasts throughout his journey and helped him keep moving along. Winter and Christmas Eve are soon to come.
Third Stanza: Gawain finds a castle to stay at and is warmly welcomed. He is given a great room, a servent, a feast, and told he can stay as long as he wants. The people in the court find out Gawain is part of King Arthur's round table and is pleased to have his presence and learn from him. Gawain is introduced to the beautiful queen and they begin to take intrest in eachother. The lord of the castle tries to keep Gawain in his company but Gawain tells him it can not be. The lord tells him where the green chaple is and Gawain finds out it is not far away. The king is delighted to have Gawain stay longer and commands he do what he tells him. They then make a deal to share what ever they earn.

2.) Gawain's life is pretty much a game. When he is on the quest he goes through many trials and is never sure when his game is going to end or when he is going to reach his destination. When he agrees to play a game with the king, do what ever he tells him, and stay in his castle. In this section games is what keeps Gawain going and when they play games at the castle I think it make Gawain feel more like at home.

3.) The castle is a symbol of Gawain's fate. Gawain found the castle soon after asking the Lord for shelter and heat before is was too late. He ends up at the castle and is kindly welcomed and given great hospitality but is wanted to stay more than he intends and wants to. This idea fits into the theme of idea of hospitality.

4.) Gawain is different in this section compared to the first section because he is off on his own for the most part of this section during his travels and gains much confidence to defeat beasts along his way and keep moving. He acts differently at the castle and is pampered much more than he was at King Arthur's castle which is probably making his head even bigger and making him think there is no one better and he can do anything, unlike the last section where he agreed to fight the Green knight because no one else was going to do it except his king.

5.) Gawain is spoiled in Brytelac's castle and is surrounded with many great things including furniture, great food, and even his own servent. The setting of Brytelac's castle gives off a more serious vibe and Brytelac knows the importance of Gawain and wants to keep him there as long as he can so he surrounds and presents Gawain with even greater things to keep him there.

2.) Role of Kings: Hrolf is one of the best kings in this book. He is one of the few that do not take revenge and cause more hatred between other countries. It is also told that he is an open-handed and generous person who is so trustworthy and particular about his friends that there is no one else like him. King Helgi was embarrassed as a king and went through much disgrace. He was tricked by Queen Olof and didn’t even know it until a while later. It was worse to be disgraced than to die. He also cared more about his personal needs than the needs of his kingdom. King Adils was a very boastful and arrogant king. He killed his wife’s father which could mean that he has no respect for her. Adils was known to be a very strong and powerful king who is feared by some but not a good ruler and many wanted to get rid of him.

Role of a Warrior: Bodvar is an excellent warrior. He is willing to defend the best king and wants to make a name for himself. Once Hjalti drinks the blood of the dragon he becomes strong and defeats the dragon when Hrolf's champions think it is still alive.

Role of Women: Most of the women in this story seem to be magical and evil. Queen Olof was very powerful and did things to get her way. She got revenge on King Helgi twice. She is a women that tries to take over a man's job therefore she is evil in the eyes of the author

Concept of Magic: Magic is what most of the characters in this story are who they are. Skuld uses magic to defeat King Hrolfs kingdom by using a boar to defeat his knights. The Elf women uses magic to curse King Helgi because he did not go and see his daughter Skuld.

Revenge: When Elk-Frodi finds out that his brother, Bodvar, has died in battle he goes against Queen Skuld to avenge his brother. He is not the only one that does so, his brothers and many others went against Queen Skuld for this reason. Yrsa gets revenge on King Adils for killing her father Helgi. Helgi gets revenge on Olof for disrespecting and dishonoring him.

Hospitality: King Hrolf takes in Bodvar and Hjalti and treats them well unlike his champions who feel threatened by their apperance. When Hrolf and his champions are traveling to King Adils kingdom a farmer named Herani gladly takes them in and gives them shelter.

3. People transforming into beasts represents giving people the power to overcome what they are usually uncapable of and making them into a different person. For example Bjorn turns into a bear by day and is human back at night due to a curse from Queen Olof. He is a beast and kills the kingdoms farm animals. Elk frodi is stronger than most people and when Bodvar drinks his blood he becomes much stronger and is a great battler. Hjalti drinks the dragons blood and moves himself up and gets higher respect because of how strong he is. Bodvar gets a spirit bear in battle and is able to go against all of queen Yrsa's warriors. Queen Yrsa uses a boar when the bear dissapears because Bodvar is woken up. Being a beast in this story gets you farther in life and higher closer to the king.

4. King Arthur's round table repsents Hrolf's champions. Both contain twelve knights and each wants to be closest to his king. Both groups of knights are not that brave and the kings have to battle a beast because they are too scared to battle themselves. Each has a warrior who stands out and knows that the king can not fight so they fight the beast even if they are not strong enough.

8. Both have bears on thier side which is a symbol of power. Both kings went into battle but Hrolf left his people strong and Beowulf fought the battle by himself and did not teach his warriors how to fight. Beowulf was more concerned about making a name for himself and Hrolf was more concerned about his knights and country

Beowulf pg.197-213

Pg. 211 (3150-3155): A Geat women too sang out in grief;.....slavery and abasement. - The women speaking is significant because it shows that war affects women and children the most. It suggests this because they live in the after-math of having there nation invaded, enemies on the rampage, many deaths, and having to be enslaved.

Pg. 211 (3131-3133): They pitched the dragon....take the treasure-minder. - The idea that all the monsters dead bodies are in water could suggest that the ocean is hell or the underworld. When they find the dragon's large dead body they throw it over the cliff and into the sea, also Grendel and his mother died in her lair under water.

Pg. 209 (3098-3100): Since of all men....due as a warrior were the greatest. - They refer to Beowulf as a great warrior but not a great king. He did not help to strengthen his country for when he would die. Instead he wanted all the honor and to be the one to kill the dragon. He did win all of his battles and helped protect his country and that is why he was such a great warrior. Another reason he failed as being king is that he had no descendants to pass the thrown down to.

Pg. 207 (3077-3078): Often when one man follows his own will many are hurt. - This refers to how Beowulf insisted on fighting the dragon instead of letting anyone else fight him. If another warrior fought the dragon it would give him the experience on how to fight so their country would still be strong after Beowulf death.

Pg. 205 (3051-3057): That huge cache, gold inherited from an ancient race.....to open the hoard. - It could be suggested that the ancient race could be descendants of Cain. Earlier in lines 1660-1686 it talks about how the giants made an ancient hold hilt. Knowing that the giants had possession of gold, could put a curse on it, and that they were part of the ancient race suggests that the treasures could be from the descendants of Cain.

Beowulf pg.151-197

Pg. 151 (2216-2220): He had handled and removed.....people of that country would soon discover. - It is known that the treasure was first buried by nameless nobles, who protected it with a curse referred to near the end of the poem. It was later dug up and enjoyed for a time by men who gradually died out, leaving the final survivor to deposit the treasure in a barrow by the sea, and that is how the dragon discovers it. The dragon now thinks it belongs to him and will protect it.

Pg. 161 (2369-2379): There Hygd offered him throne and authority.....as the ruler of Geatland. - Even though Beowulf fit into the characteristics of a good king I think he refused this offer because he knows he is going to have to fight the dragon and could die. This would leave the Geats with no king or a very inexperienced one. He decides to just teach Hygelac's heir, Heardred.

Pg. 165 (2584-2586)): The glittering sword,....as it never should have. - Once again Beowulf uses a sword that has never failed but does not work for him. Although later on it says he is too strong for the sword and that is why it doesn't work but it could also fit into the suggestion of Beowulf being like God. This could fit in because of the idea of not using harmful destruction and weapons.

Pg. 183 (2702-2705): Once again the king....sharpened for battle. -This represents the connection between warriors and kings. Wiglaf is the only one that goes and helps Beowulf fight the dragon. He overcomes the flames and danger to go be by Beowulf side in defeating the dragon. He strikes the dragon and could have killed him but he leaves that honor to his king, Beowulf. He lets him deliver the fatal wound that kills the dragon because he knows how important it is to Beowulf to know that he killed the dragon and gets to claim the honor.

Pg. 185 (2743-2746): Go now quickly...feast your eyes on the hoard. - Beowulf wants to see the treasure he got from the dragon before he dies so he sends Wiglaf to go retrieve it. This is ironic because Beowulf dies thinking that the treasure he has won will benefit his people but because the Geats did not burn or bury all the treasure with Beowulf and left much of it undestroyed in the burial mound they will probably be punished because of the curse.

Beowulf pg.131-151

Pg. 133 (1932-1934): Great Queen Modthryth perpetrated terrible wrongs. - Queen Modthryth and Grendel's mother can be compared with each other and counter examples of each other. Both women are presented as a monsterous type but act in different way and have different social statuses. They also prefer to use physical strenght and weapons to get there way. Modthryth is an evil women and guilty of many things but she is a queen, daughter of a king, and a peace weaver. Grendel's mom is only presented as a evil, masculine, monsterous women. Modthryth also doesn't have a reason for doing all her horrible deeds and killings but Grendel's mother is just trying to revenge.

Pg. 139 (2022-2025): I heard the company call her Freawaru....in her gold-trimmed attire. - Frea means to make a promise and waru means to wear an article of merchandise. This name represents Hrothgar's daughter being used as a peace pledge. It can also say how she is treated like merchandise and will not last long before she becomes a failed peace weaver.

Pg. 143 (2117-2123): Then suddenly the vehement mother....and with bare-faced defiance laid a man low. - This can suggest how Grendel's mother is actually just trying to fit into the role of women and create peace. It was pretty much her only choice to invade Herot and kill a man to avenge for Grendel. In the many years that she has been living there this was her first time invading , she had a good reason to do so, but this suggests that she wanted to be at peace with the people of Herot and not cause larger problems that would cause distruction.

Pg. 145 (2142-2413): But Halfdane's heir, the shelter of those earls, again endowed me with gifts in abundance. - Beowulf is given gifts and treasures everytime he has done something good for the people of Herot. I feel Beowulf is going to get too comfortible with recieving gifts and treasures and expect it to happen ever time he does a good deed. He may start to use his riches to over power others and become too prideful.

Pg. 149 (2190-2196): The battle-famed king......and a hall and a throne. - Beowulf receiving the sword suggests that he is ready to take over. It also suggests how now he will have his own sword that has been passed down to him to fight battles to come.

Literary Terms

Formal Diction: Diction is the writer's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language to help create meaning. Formal diction consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language, it is often characterized by complex words and lofty tone.
Example: Formal diction is the language of research papers and newspaper articles. This can be found in history books, science books, or an introduction to a book.

Extended Metaphor: Is a metaphor that continues into the sentences that follow. An extended metaphor is also a metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a writing.
Example: Kin killing and the idea of weregild is an extended metaphor in Beowulf.

Beowulf pg.93

Pg. 95 (1569-1572): The hart in flight....than dive beneath it's surface. - This is saying how a deer being chased by wolves would rather turn around and fight the wolves than enter into Grendel's mother's lair. This is saying how awful and scary her liar is and it is also to be described like hell. This could also suggest the idea of how Hrothgar is a symbol of a deer and how he never fights Grendel and how Grendel never specifically comes after him. Also on pg 111 line 1599 Grendel's mother is refered to as the wolf of the deep. A wolf is considered one to be regarded as predatory, rapacious, fierce, wild, and destructive. This suggests how Grendel's mother traps people because the wolves chase the people to her lair.

Pg. 97 (1384-1385): It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mouning- This contradicts with the idea that Beowulf is Christlike because he is suggesting that it is better to get revenge rather than to mourn when Christ tells you to forgive others and to mourn with those who are mourning.

Pg. 101 (1458): A rare and ancient sword named Hrunting - Unferth gives Beowulf a sword named Hrunting to help him fight off Grendel's mother. The sword posesses great powers and has never failed anyone who has used it. But when Beowulf descends to the bottom of the lake, into Grendel's mother's lair, the sword loses its powers and is ineffective against the monster. Unferth giving Beowulf represents him not having enough corage to fight and maybe he knew the sword would not be able to kill Grendel's mother and he wanted to ruin Beowulf's good reputation and have him not come back up from the her lair.

Pg. 111 (1620-1621): The wide water, the waves and pools....and this unreliable world. - When Beowulf kills Grendel and his mother it symbolizes him cleansing Herot and it being safe for now. But in line 1630-1631 it is saying how even though Grendel and his mom are dead war is still to come.

Pg. 115 (1677-1679): Then the gold hilt...for the venerable ruler. - There is a connection between swords and weapons. Swords are passed down through generations and represent stories. This sword tells the story of Cain's decendants because Grendel was a decendent of Cain. Knowing that this sword is from the decendents of Cain lets us know it is an ancient sword.

Beowulf pg. 59-93

Pg. 59 (896-898): Under grey stone he had dared to enter all by himself to face the worst without Fitela. - This foreshadows Bewowulfs warriors abandonment when he if fighting the dragon.



Pg. 63 (950-955): I have often honoured....May the God of ages continue to keep adn requite you well. - This suggests that Hrothgar wants to maintain a good connection with the Geats. He may want to do this to keep Beowulf to help defend his land or he doesn't want them to turn against him for any reason.



Pg. 65 (976-978): Like a man outlawed for wickedness, he must await the mighty judgement of God in majesty. - This statement about Grendel can be related to Cain. Both are outcasts of God and are not accepted by him.



Pg. 83 (1179-1186): I am certain of Hrothulf.....respect he found in his childhood. - This Foreshadows that Hrothgar will be killed by Hrothulf to become the next one inline to become king.



Pg. 85 (1191-1196): The cup was carried to him....anywhere on earth or under heaven. - This is talking about all the gifts Beowulf has recieved for his defeat it also foreshadows to Hygelacs death because he waas wearing the saim neck-ring on his last raid.

Beowulf pg 21-57

Pg. 27 (372): I used to know him when he was a young boy. - Hrothgar is saying how he knew Beowulf's father when he was a child and this is a foreshadow that Beowulf's father's good reputation is going to help him. The people back in that time period believed that the morals and values of the father would pass on to further generations. This idea foreshadows that since Beowulf's father is well known he will soon make a good name for himself and take after his father.

Pg. 27 (380-381): With the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand - This suggests that Beowulf is equivalent or stronger than Grendel. This can be assumed because earlier (pg. 11: 22) Grendel was able to grab thirty men in one hand and kill them.

Pg. 33 (471-473): Finally I healed the feud by paying: I shipped a treasure-trove to the Wulfing and Ecgtheow acknowledged me with oaths of allegiance. - Hrothgar payed Beowulf's father's wergild for him when he killed Heatholaf, a Wulfing, and was forced to leave so he went to the South-Danes. This suggests that Hrothgar is a good king and shares his treasures with people. This can also suggest that Beowulf's father did not have a lot of riches and caused a feud.

Pg. 41 (583-586): I don't boast when I say that neither you nor Breca were ever much celebrated for swordship or facing danger on the field of battle. - Unferth is a foil to Beowulf. Rather than heroism Unferth reveals pride and resentment. This also shows that Unferth is not a good warrior because he is a coward, unable to protect Heorot and defeat Grendel himself, and he is also envious of Beowulf because of the reason that he can protect Herot when he doesn't even live there but Unferth is to scared and incapable to do it.

Pg. 53 (794-797): Time and again, Beowulf's warriors worked to defend their lord's life, laying about them as best they could with their ancestral blades. - This statement is parallel to the end and states that Beowulf's warriors are by his side and defending him until the end. It also states how they are very skilled and worshiped warriors because they have swords that have been passed down to them.

Beowulf pg 3-13

Pg. 3 (ln 10): Whale-Road - It is a kenning because it is a two-worded meaning ocean or sea.

Pg. 5 (ln 29-31): His warrior band ... the cheif they revered who had long ruled them. - This fits into the theme Burial of a king and the idea of respect. It is a way for warriors to show their honor towards him by properly burring him.

Pg. 7 (61-63): The good Halga.....a balm in bed to the battle-scarred Swede. - Halga fits into the theme of the Importance of Women because she is used to make a peace pledge with the Swedes.

Pg. 7 (81-85): The hall towered....the blood lust rampant. - This foreshadows that Herot is going to be burned because of a blood feud, kin killing.

Pg. 13 (168-169): But throne itself, the treasured seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord's outcast. - This is saying how Hrothgar was chosen to be king by god but Grendel can not become king because he is an outcast to the Lord.

Lit. Terms 3

Analogy: resemblance in some details between things otherwise unlike or a comparison based on such resemblance.

Example: In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet uses a analogy when she says, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" (2.2.43-44). She is trying to make the point that Romeo's surname,"Montague," shouldn't matter. For example if a rose were calleda "cabbage," it would still smell sweet; and even though Romeo's name is the name of her family enemy, he is still going to be wonderful to her.



Psychological Realism: It is a work of fiction that uses more than the usual amount of emphasis on interior characterization, and on the motives, circumstances, and internal action which comes from and develops external action of the character. Psychological realism is used to reinforce themes and to provide audiences with multiple perspectives of reference to understand the author and their characters.

Example: In Macbeth his ambition to become king and ruler will lead to his death.
Shakespeare provides us with realistic psychological states of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that show their built in capacity for evil.

THE MONSTERS AND THE CRITICS

The first argument that J.R.R. Tolkien writes about in "The Monsters and The Critics" is that Beowulf should be used for literary purpose not as a historical document. He recognizes that in most of Beowulf the poetry is so interesting and powerful that is overshadows the historical content that is there. He also points out that the historical content that is there is just a product of art. Tolkien argues the point that W.P. Ker made saying that there is nothing much in the story and says that the real value is in the style of Beowulf. Most critics criticize on the contrast between the defect of theme and structure. Tolkien states the fact that Beowulf is known to be a wild folk-tale and not a well conducted epic, or not even an epic at all. He does compliment on the the detail, the tone, the style, and the total effect of Beowulf. In his words Beowulf is more beautiful that each line there is more significant than in the other long Old English poems. There is a controversy between theme and style and has been known to be a literary improbability. There has also been study to find out if Beowulf is historical or scientific. The allusions in the poem have caused study and attention and have shaped the economy of Beowulf as it is. There is the debate between Beowulf being a myth or a folk-tale. Beowulf's dragon should be criticized for not being dragon enough. The large amount of symbolism in the book is not totally obvious nor does it become allegory. To Tolkien it is not irritating that the tone of the poem is so high and the theme is so low. The monsters are essential ideas of the poem and give it the tone it has and the level of seriousness. Tolkien wants people to know why the monsters are adversaries of god and symbolize the power of evil.
I think Tolkien has many important and interesting ideas. Knowing his ideas will help people focus more on the literary effects of the book rather than the historical. He also points out all the main ideas and points of the poem. I think his main focus and purpose for Tolkien's piece was to help people focus more on all the literary meanings in the book and how it was put together rather than the flaws.

Mes Gegra

1.) Mes Gegra was the king of Leinster, Ireland. He was a good king and fit into the qualities. He was loyal, respectful, put his country before himself, and many more. He was not the best fighter and died in battle. When he died he demanded his head be taken off with Conall, the man who killed him, and his glory on his glory.



2.) The Leinsterman raised a red wall against the Ulsterman so they could not pass over. Conall, 'the victorious' a ulsterman, went forth alone to avenge for his brothers that died in battle. He then took a different route to Leinster. When the men of Leinster reached their country they went back to their homes but Mes Gegra and his charioteer stayed behind to watch the path of cane, the route Conall took. While the charioteer was sleeping Mes Gegra saw a nut larger tha a man's head floating in the river. He went down and got it and ate half and left the other half for the gillie. The gillie then woke up saying he had seen and evil vision. When the gillie found out the king ate some of his half and did not see any left he attacked the king with a sword and cut of his hand. The king then told him to open his fist and when the gillie saw that the kernal was still in the king's fist he killed himself. Mes Gegra then moved along and ran into Conall. Conall approached him saying he was there to claim the lives of his brothers. They then fought but it was not champion like to let Conall fight with two hands when Mes Gegra only had one so they tied Conall's hand to his side. They each smote eachother until the river was full of blood but the swordplay of Conall was better than that of Mes Gegra's and he won the fight. "I percieve that thou wilt not go O' Conall," said Mes Gegra "till though takest my head with thee. Put thou head above thy head and add my glory to thy glory." Conall then severed his head but ont the way back Conall's charioteer couldn't carry the head so he cut out the brain and preserved it and mixed it with lime to make it into a brain ball. This was later stolen by Cet.



3.) Mes Gegra's brain is a symbol of the change in Conchobhar. When Mes Gegra's brain is slung into Conchobhar's the only way he can stay alive is if he keeps it in his head. He is then not able to get angry, be active, and his face is going to have to stay as a disfigurment. Conchobhar was also a non christian before he had Mes Gegra's brain in his head, but when he hears Jesus was crucified he becomes christian and very angry making the brain leap out of his head causing his death.



4.) I think Mes Gegra was a good leader and king. He sacrificed himself for his country, was loyal, intellegent, wise, fair, and noble. I do not think he was a good warrior because he died in battle but he fought smart. I think his brain being put in Conchobhar's head and later of killing him was a way of him avenging for himself after he was dead, just like it was fortold.



5.)





6.) Mes Gegra's brain is a symbol of a new, Christian, Conchobhar. It is also a symbol of Mes Gegra getting avenge for his death.

Lit. Terms

Initiation Story: A narrative that tells the transformation of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood, telling the results of either a decision that changed everything or a series of experiences.
exp.: Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
This book follows all of Huckleberry Finns adventures down the Mississippi River.

Parody: A humorous interpretation of another persons work. It imitates the tone, language, and shape of the original writing to deflate the subject matter, making the original work seem absurd. Sometimes parody becomes an affectionate acknowledgment that a well-known work has become institutionalized in our culture.
exp.: Peter De Vries’s "To His Importunate Mistress" mocks Andrew Marvell’s "To His Coy Mistress."
The theme for "To His Coy Mistress" is love and time and the theme for "To His Importunate Mistress" is time and money. The language and tone is the same for both but Peter is mocking Andrew Marvell's writing.