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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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.
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.
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