In, "The Battle with the Fire-Breathing Dragon," the value of pride and strength is reinforced by the actions of Beowulf. Even in his old age he is more than willing to fight the fire-breathing dragon on his own. He explains his emotions, "'I risked my life often when I was young. Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning..." (Heaney lines 2511-2515). Beowulf is more concerned with winning on his own,and maybe dying, rather than fighting amongst his people and winning victoriously. In lines 2545-2547 this emotion is described: "Yet the Prince of the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague" (Heaney ). Beowulf's pride is represented through his strength. His decision to fight alone is a very important value to the Anglo-Saxons.
There are several differences between "The Battle with the Fire-Breathing Dragon" and other sections of Beowulf. The section shows Beowulf in an almost defenseless state, which had never been represented in the previous readings. In the battle against the dragon this is revealed: "...in spite of his wounds, mortal wounds, he still spoke for he well knew his days in the world had been lived out to the end: his allotted time was drawing to a close, death was very near." (Heaney lines 2724-2728). Beowulf knew he was going to die, and was willing to admit it. His exposed self is once again described in lines 2331-2333, "his mind was in turmoil, unaccustomed anxiety and gloom confused his brain" (Heaney). In this section, Beowulf is given almost human-like qualities to represent the state of mind he was in before his death, giving this section more meaning than the others. His vulnerable self is revealed throughout the entire text, its purpose to allow the reader to relate themselves to Beowulf.
The circumstances of Beowulf's death would be considered honorable and fitting for a hero of that era. The people living during this time believed that the most noble and honorable way to die was in battle. This was the main reason that Beowulf decided fight against the fire-breathing dragon in the first place. He knew that he was going to die soon because he was old and his death could be gratified if he were to die as a proud warrior. The quote "...the king gathered his strength and drew a stabbing knife he carried on his belt, sharpened for battle. He stuck it deep into the dragon's flank. Beowulf dealt it a deadly would" (Heaney lines 2702-2705), shows how Beowulf conjured up strength to kill the evil monster. Then he comes to the realization that he is being poisoned: "...Beowulf discovered deadly poison suppurating inside him, surges of nausea, and so, in his wisdom, the prince realized his state..." (Heaney lines 2714-2717). With pride and wisdom, Beowulf allows his death to greet him, open-armed and unafraid.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
LRJ2: Beowulf Values, Something Unrealistic, and Favorite Quote
In Beowulf, Christian values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons are revealed. This is most likely due to the author. Again and again he brings God into the context of the story. For example, in lines 685-687 the author writes, "And may the Divine Lord in his wisdom grant the glory of victory to whichever side he sees fit" (Heaney). Beowulf says this because he wants the Lord to see that he shall either die victoriously in battle or win alive and well, yet it is God's will to decide. The author is also able to use God as an adjective: "...a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe..." (Heaney line 785). In this case, "God-cursed scream" means catastrophe and mayhem. God and Christian references are used frequently throughout Beowulf, either to illustrate a scene or bring faith into a key part of the story
An unrealistic scene from Beowulf is the Battle in which he goes against Grendel's mother. They fought for quite a while and Beowulf eventually becomes weaponless. However, he luckily was able to acquire a sword in which he uses to kill her. "Then he saw a blade that blooded well, a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon, one the anyone would envy..." (Heaney lines 1557-1560). The sword described in this passage seems all to perfect, and is found at such a convenient time. It seems to far fetched that Beowulf would be able to access and get a hold of such a magnificent weapon, just in time to kill Grendel's mother.
One of my favorite quotes from Beowulf, is when Beowulf has killed Grendel and his head is being admired by the people in the mead hall. "Grendel's head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where the people were drinking, an honor for both queen and company to behold. They stared in awe. It was an astonishing sight" (Heaney lines 1647-1650). I really like this quote because it contains imagery of the defeated Grendel's beheaded face and the reaction of the people to this sight. This quote also shows the values of the Anglo-Saxons. They were so amazed, astounded, and proud that their hero Beowulf, had rescued their lovely dining hall. This quote ends the story on a good note.
An unrealistic scene from Beowulf is the Battle in which he goes against Grendel's mother. They fought for quite a while and Beowulf eventually becomes weaponless. However, he luckily was able to acquire a sword in which he uses to kill her. "Then he saw a blade that blooded well, a sword in her armory, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon, one the anyone would envy..." (Heaney lines 1557-1560). The sword described in this passage seems all to perfect, and is found at such a convenient time. It seems to far fetched that Beowulf would be able to access and get a hold of such a magnificent weapon, just in time to kill Grendel's mother.
One of my favorite quotes from Beowulf, is when Beowulf has killed Grendel and his head is being admired by the people in the mead hall. "Grendel's head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where the people were drinking, an honor for both queen and company to behold. They stared in awe. It was an astonishing sight" (Heaney lines 1647-1650). I really like this quote because it contains imagery of the defeated Grendel's beheaded face and the reaction of the people to this sight. This quote also shows the values of the Anglo-Saxons. They were so amazed, astounded, and proud that their hero Beowulf, had rescued their lovely dining hall. This quote ends the story on a good note.
Friday, December 5, 2008
LRJ1: Beowulf Values, Alliteration, and Kennings
In Beowulf, many values are expressed. The value of great strength is represented in lines 9-11, "In the end each clan on the outlying coasts/beyond the whale-road had yield to him/and begin to pay tribute. That was one good king" (Heaney). The kings men had great respect for him and had appreciation, which shows the great strength that his leadership imprinted on on them. The strength and goodness of king Hrothgar is also shown in lines 71-72: "...it would be his throne-room and there he would dispense/his God given goods to young and old-..." (Heaney). Hrothgar distributed his talents to all his people, bringing them together.
Alliteration is frequently used throughout Beowulf to make the story more dramatic, especially because it was originally told orally. "There was Shield Sheafson, Scourge of many tribes..." (Heaney line 4) is an example of the repeated consonant. It makes the paragraph flow. Another example of alliteration is in lines 301-302, "The ship rode the water,/broad-beamed, bound by it's hawser" (Heaney). Alliteration allows for rhythm and ease while reading Beowulf.
The purpose of kennings in Beowulf is to give an ordinary noun imagery by rephrasing it in a hyphenated form. In lines 650-651 a kenning is used: "...came stealing forth/under the cloud-murk." (Heaney) In this sentence, cloud-murk is referring to the dark, cloudy, sky. Another kenning can be found in line 848. "... of waves and gore and wounds-slurry" (Heaney). In this battle scene, wounds-slurry is used to provide imagery for an injury of Grendel's, with its guts spilling out. Overall, kennings are a fun way to portray an ordinary noun.
Alliteration is frequently used throughout Beowulf to make the story more dramatic, especially because it was originally told orally. "There was Shield Sheafson, Scourge of many tribes..." (Heaney line 4) is an example of the repeated consonant. It makes the paragraph flow. Another example of alliteration is in lines 301-302, "The ship rode the water,/broad-beamed, bound by it's hawser" (Heaney). Alliteration allows for rhythm and ease while reading Beowulf.
The purpose of kennings in Beowulf is to give an ordinary noun imagery by rephrasing it in a hyphenated form. In lines 650-651 a kenning is used: "...came stealing forth/under the cloud-murk." (Heaney) In this sentence, cloud-murk is referring to the dark, cloudy, sky. Another kenning can be found in line 848. "... of waves and gore and wounds-slurry" (Heaney). In this battle scene, wounds-slurry is used to provide imagery for an injury of Grendel's, with its guts spilling out. Overall, kennings are a fun way to portray an ordinary noun.
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