From Tristia Ovid, Translated by L. R. Lind: Book 10
-Tristia had moved from her mother country, Dardanian Troy, when it was
attacked by the Grecian Army.
-Now in the Pontus, feels like the days go by like years
-Despises the common theme of death races (referring to gladiator games and/or
the continuous war between the Romans and their enemies)
-Feels like a barbarian not being able to communicate with people of the new
land, had to use body language
-Was exiled from Rome
-"Injured the power of Caesar the god," in result was sent to assimilate with
the Scythian race as a punishment
-Believes she deserved to be exiled but not to such a city
Far Corners of Earth by Tu Fu translated by David Hinton
Describes a shift from the Chiang-han mountains where clouds begin to hover
over to "a new waste of highway." Gradual decline in mood.
From Beowulf
-portrays the Anglo-Saxon culture of eighth century Britain
-Beowulf: sword-wielding slayer of monsters, upholder of the right,
warrior-chieftain
-Takes place in sixth century Scandinavia, speaks Old English
-Beowulf seeks to help the Danish King Hrothgar in fighting the swampland
monster, Grendel.
-first of the three mortal battles
-Scops often told long narrative poems by mouth in Anglo-Saxon England which
resulted in it's change and growth
-finally written down in eleventh century
-main themes: bravery, loyalty, heroism
-The Electronic Beowulf Project revived the burnt original manuscripts of
Beowulf.
Epic: a long narrative poem, sometimes developed orally, that celebrates the
deeds of a legendary or heroic figure
-hero battles for the order of his world
-story told in serious matter with sophisticated language
Legendary hero: a larger than life character whose accomplishments are
celebrated in traditional tales
Important words/vocab (pg. 37)
Kenning
Caesura
Reparation
Solace
Purge
Writhing
Massive
Loathsome
Sierra Sanchez Pages 38-41
Background
- England
was changing from a pagan to Christianity, when Beowulf was created.
- Pagan
Anglo-Saxons told tales rued by fate where people struggled against monsters in
regards to their place in the world.
-The Christian
converts taught that human choices between good and evil were at the center of
creation.
- Beowulf
interprets both the Christian and Pagan traditions
- Starts
out during a celebration at Herot and outside is the murderous monster, Grendel
The Wrath
of Grendel
-
Grendel, the powerful monster grew upset with the constant music that played in
the banquet hall of the Danish King Hrothgar that rejoiced in the beauty of
Earth.
- Thousands
of evil spirits formed from their murderous crimes due to God’s banishment of
them by Cain’s responsibility for the death of Abel, who opposed God’s will.
- Cain
and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve; Cain killed his brother because he was
envious of the attention Abel received from God.
- When
all the warriors in the hall were done partying, Grendel went inside killed
thirty men and took them back to his lair.
- In the
morning the king mourned his companions that he lost, and knew it wouldn’t be
the end of Grendel’s wrath.
- The
only way the warriors could try to stay alive were if they escaped Grendel.
- For
twelve winters Grendel’s defeat of the Danes ruled, killing many and most men.
- Grendel
wouldn’t make peace or accept a truce or price
- Grendel
continued to kill but wouldn’t touch King Hrothgar’s throne because it was
protected by God, and the king’s council debated over remedies to get rid of
Grendel.
- The
King and council were conflicted by doing the Devils work by trying to get rid
of Grendel and banishing him to hell, but trying to do right by God.
The Coming
of Beowulf
- The
death of the King’s son was extremely painful for the King and kingdom
Haley Kestler Pg. 42-44
- Higlac was the king of the Geats and Beowulf's feudal lord and uncle as well as a very strong man
- Higlac heard that Grendel violently forced and demanded a boat to be fitted out for him to go see Higlac
- Beowulf chose the mightiest, bravest, and best men of the Geats he could find to accompany him on his journey to Hrothgar (14 men total)
- He knew the sea would lead them straight to that distant, Danish shore
- They sailed their boat and arrived fully dressed in mail with the best armor and uninvited
- Hrothgar's lieutenant met them on the shore, demanding to know who they were and why they came unannounced
- He asked Beowulf to immediately explicate their reason for their visit before they take action against them
- Beowulf explained who they were and that they were there to hunt Grendel and protect the people and their King from the monster
- The mounted officer believed their words and that he and his men would guard their ship and protect it, saying that any warriors who battle Grendel successfully should go home bearing their love
- Once Beowulf and his men arrived at Herot, they were called in to see the King
- Beowulf arose and went to meet Hrothgar with some of his men, ordering a few to remain behind with their weapons
Vocab!
- reparation: (n.) something making up for wrong or injury
- solace: (n.) comfort; relief
- mail: (n.) flexible body armor made of metal (in this context)
Pg 45-47 Imanie Patel
Beowulf and his men arrive at Herot and are called to see the King
-Beowulf ordered some of his men to stay with their weapons, while he took others and himself "into Hrothgar's Presence"
-Beowulf describes himself to the kind to make him seem more favorable, by saying things like "They have seen my strength for themselves, Have watched me ride form the darkest of war, Dripping with my enemies' blood."
-Beowulf over does it on the compliments to the king then asks for the kings permission to "purge all evil from this hall" (including Grendal, who Beowulf is willing to go into great battle against) Beowulf is willing to die for his cause and exaggeratedly says so.
The Battle with Grendel
-Grendal came from the marsh and journeyed to Herot and was met harshly with Herot being so firmly defended.
-Grendal stormed through the doors quickly, saw the young and sleepy soldiers lining the halls, grabbed one and killed him, snapping shit and drinking the blood.
-Grendal clutched Beowulf but was suprised by his strength and attack. Grendal's first reaction was to run but Beowulf didn't let him go.
-Beowulf and Grendal battled violently. Herot shook and trembled, it was built to only come down in fire but the battle was a much great force.
- He was the strongest man, Beowulf was going to kill the "monster"
- Beowulf's men woke up to Beowulf fighting Grendel and were ready to fight, if needed; they were courageous, but Grendel was pretty indestructible against them and he could easily beat them all
- But, he(Grendel) was now declining, dying, and had been defeated
- His shoulder bone broke, a sign of the battle being over
- Beowulf won "glory, Grendel escaped" to his den though, to die a slow and miserable death
- Beowulf was very prod, the Danes were happy and his accomplishments were listed; he ended Hrothgar's people's problems
- Beowulf hung Grendel's "arm, claw, shoulder and all" on the rafters; it was basically a trophy of the victory and proof of the win
Pg. 49 The Monsters' Lair (there was a celebration of Beowulf's victory, but Grendel's mother kills Hrothgar's best friend and takes Grendel's claw, Beowulf hears from the king about the underwater lair)
- The king is talking the whole time
- peasants in fields saw female and male creatures and told the king's wise men
- Grendel they named the man one, no one knows if there were any before them or any other creatures like them
- The creatures lived in a secret wolf den with rocks and a waterfall to an underground lake (my visual interpretation of the text) It's very dark, roots hanging from the top, no one knows how deep
- The king wants Beowulf to kill the mother, Beowulf is his only help and hope of "being saved", he will reward him with gold and treasure for winning
Pg. 50 The Battle with Grendel's Mother (Beowulf decides to kill her and goes to the lake)
- (Beowulf is speaking to the men) To Hrothgar, if he(Beowulf) should die during battle, he wants Hrothgar to be "Father and protector" of his comrades. He wants Higlac to have the things Hrothgar gave him. To Unferth, who questioned his bravery before the Grendel battle, he leaves his "famous old sword" <symbolic value
- He jumped into the lake without others responding
- Sank for "hours" before reaching the bottom
- Grendel's mother saw him, her "welcome" was trying to kill him, but his armor was too strong to penetrate
- She carried him to her home, he couldn't get out his weapon
- the fight brought other monsters swimming to see...
-He attacked her but realized he couldn't hurt her
-They continue to fight, and she draws a blade on him, her only son, but she hit
his armor and he was unharmed
-He then struck her across the neck and rejoiced at her death
-He then picked up his sword and went to find Grendel but found him dead
-Beowulf then left taking nothing but Grendels head and the jeweled sword
-The Geats rejoiced when Beowulf returned
-They then gifted the Danes with Grendel's head
The Last Battle Pg. 54-56 Megan Stevens
- Beowulf honored by Hrothgar
- He becomes king
- rules Greatland for 50 years
- Dragon comes into kingdom when Beowulf is an old man
- he decided to slay the beast
- before battle, tells his men about the royal house
- wanted to fight without any armor, then realizes the dragon breathes fire
- believes he's the only man who can do it.
- wants to claim dragon's riches
- dragon attacked with breathe first
- his armor held up, then started to melt
- first time in life, he fought with fate against him
- his sword broke in two, but got a stab into the dragon
- Beowulf fell back, dragon attacked, breathed fire at him, he suffered
- once king, now a beaten warrior
- all other men fleed without helping him
- only man that stayed was Wiglaf, Wexstan's son
- Wiglaf's mind was made up, he raised his shield and drew his sword
Page 57-60 Elizabeth Smith
Onela got armor from the king.
Wexstan kept the shining gifts for his son but was killed.
His heir, Wiglaf, inherited the treasures. He went into war with Beowulf and was strong and courageous.
Wiglaf brought the soldiers together, telling them Beowulf had given them the swords, it is time to defend with them. It is better for them to suffer than to cause agony to the king. He yelled encouragement and went into the dragons deadly flames.
Wiglaf and Beowulf kill the dragon. The Beowulf is wounded and is dying. He asks Wiglaf to retrieve the treasure the dragon was protecting.
The Spoils
The Spoils
Wiglaf goes into the cave. Finds lots of gold and sparkling things. He grabs as much as he can and takes it to the dying king.
Beowulf says he gave his life for this treasure, use it to help and lead his people.
He said he wanted to be burned high at the waters edge so sailors could see this tower and call it Beowulf's tower. He gave all he had to Wiglaf and said their family had been swept away as warriors and now he was following them. Then he died.
Wiglaf is mad at those who deserted Beowulf
The Geats burn his body.
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