The story of Beowulf shows many insights about Anglo-Saxon values. Beowulf has a lot of pride about his prowess as a warrior. The author says Beowulf "was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague. He had scant regard for the dragon as a threat" (Haney 2345-2348). Beowulf believes that he can defeat the dragon on his own. Eventually he does kill the dragon but Beowulf also dies from his wounds. So perhaps pride is not a great value for the warrior to have. The men of that time put a lot of emphases on honor. One of Beowulf's men says "I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver's body than go back home bearing arms" (Haney 2651-2652). The man would rather be killed than retreat. There is honor in dying for a cause. Another value is receiving a reward for doing a good deed. When Beowulf defeats the dragon, he finds a trove of treasure. "A treasure-trove of astonishing richness, wall-hangings that were a wonder to behold, glittering gold spread across the ground, the old dawn-scorching serpent's den..." (Haney 2757-2760). The death of the evil dragon results in a huge amount of treasure for Beowulf and his men. Clearly there is a reward for stopping evil.
There are a few differences in the story of dragon than in the other monsters Beowulf encounters. For one, Beowulf dies giving the reader the sense that Beowulf is vulnerable. "Beowulf spoke ins spite of his wounds...he knew his days in the world had been lived out...death was drawing near" (Haney 2724-2728). Beowulf has always been seen as this fearless warrior that cannot be brought down. However he dies in this one. The author realizes that death is impossible to escape and that everyone must go to the world beyond. Another difference is that this fight is own Beowulf's land. "Then Beowulf was given bad news...his own home, the best of buildings had been burnt to a cinder" (Haney 2324-2326). Beowulf has to defend his own home, giving him a larger purpose.
Beowulf's death is considered an honorable death for a man of this time period. This is shown several times in the story. For example a soldier says "I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze...than go back home bearing arms. That is unthinkable unless we have first slain the foe" (Haney 2651-2655). The man exemplifies the idea that the most honorable thing to do is slay your enemy or die trying. This is what Beowulf did. He gave himself to reach a goal, "Now that I have bartered my last breath to own this fortune (Haney 2799-2800). According to the author, warriors should strive to bring justice to the world. "They had killed the enemy...so everyman should act" (Haney 2706-2708). Beowulf dies a warrior's death, which according to the standards of era, was honorable and fitting.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Beowulf LRJ #2
In story of Beowulf there are many values of the Anglo-Saxon people. A strong value is the honor in a warriors life. When Beowulf defeats Grendal, the author says "...his courage was proven, his glory was secure" (Haney 1646). Beowulf's glory and courage is shown through the death of his enemy. In this story many Christian values come through. The author refers to God many times, for example Hrothgar is said to be "...the king in his wisdom waited, still wondering whether the Almighty God would ever turn the tide of his misfortunes" (Haney 1313-1315). The referral to the Christian god shows that the author was probably Christian. The society that Beowulf in was very male oriented. The author describes Grendal's mother's strength as "less only by as much as an amazon warrior's strength is less than an armed man's..." (Haney 1281-1283). Even though Amazons were considered strong, they were still less than a man's.
The story of Beowulf's adventures have many unrealistic parts to them. For example Beowulf's swim to the bottom of the lake is said to take the better part of the day "it was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom" (Haney 1495-1496). This would be impossible for any man to accomplish. It is another example of Beowulf's superiority to other men. Another unrealistic description is that Beowulf's sword could not cut through Grendal's mother's flesh, "...the shining blade refused to bite" (Haney 1523-1524). It would be impossible for a sword to no be able to cut through anything's flesh. This adds to the image of Grendal's mother as being nearly invincible.
There are several quotes that are special to read. One of these is when Beowulf's sword gets in his foe's blood, "the sword began to wilt into gory icicles, to slather and thaw" (Haney 1606-1608). The image of a metal melting gives the reader a feeling of boiling blood, which is disgusting. It adds to the depth of Beowulf's enemy's evilness. Another wonderful image is also of Beowulf's sword. "Then he saw a blade...a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon..." (Haney 1557-1560). The fact that Beowulf's sword is so incredible makes Beowulf seem even tougher. The weapon makes the man. The moment that Beowulf kills Grendal's mother also gives strong quotes. "A resolute blow that bit deep into her neck-bone and severed it entirely. toppling the doomed house of her flesh; she fell to the floor" (Haney 1565-1568). The image of Beowulf slicing off Grendal's mother's head and then her body tumbling to the floor is powerful and adds to the sense of awe at defeating such a mighty opponent.
The story of Beowulf's adventures have many unrealistic parts to them. For example Beowulf's swim to the bottom of the lake is said to take the better part of the day "it was the best part of a day before he could see the solid bottom" (Haney 1495-1496). This would be impossible for any man to accomplish. It is another example of Beowulf's superiority to other men. Another unrealistic description is that Beowulf's sword could not cut through Grendal's mother's flesh, "...the shining blade refused to bite" (Haney 1523-1524). It would be impossible for a sword to no be able to cut through anything's flesh. This adds to the image of Grendal's mother as being nearly invincible.
There are several quotes that are special to read. One of these is when Beowulf's sword gets in his foe's blood, "the sword began to wilt into gory icicles, to slather and thaw" (Haney 1606-1608). The image of a metal melting gives the reader a feeling of boiling blood, which is disgusting. It adds to the depth of Beowulf's enemy's evilness. Another wonderful image is also of Beowulf's sword. "Then he saw a blade...a sword in her armoury, an ancient heirloom from the days of the giants, an ideal weapon..." (Haney 1557-1560). The fact that Beowulf's sword is so incredible makes Beowulf seem even tougher. The weapon makes the man. The moment that Beowulf kills Grendal's mother also gives strong quotes. "A resolute blow that bit deep into her neck-bone and severed it entirely. toppling the doomed house of her flesh; she fell to the floor" (Haney 1565-1568). The image of Beowulf slicing off Grendal's mother's head and then her body tumbling to the floor is powerful and adds to the sense of awe at defeating such a mighty opponent.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
LRJ #1 Beowulf
The story of Beowulf, gives many insights to Anglo-Saxon values. The world in which Beowulf lived in was very patriarchal. When describing a queen, the author doesn't even mention her name and then describes her merit as being a "balm in bed to the battle-scarred Swede" (Haney 61-63). The idea that a woman's place is in bed, shows the feeling that men were superior. Another value shown in Beowulf is the importance of the Christian god. The author says "But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the father's embrace" (Haney 186-188). The author was Christian so it's possible that many others at that time felt the same way. The people of this time gave a lot of glory to war. Often warriors were judged by their armor. When Hrothgar's men see the host with Beowulf they inquire about their armour. "Where do you come from, carrying these decorated shields and shirts of mail, these cheek-hinged helmets and javelins? (Haney 334-336). The men notice that the armour is fancy and want to know if the warriors are special just because of their armour.
Alliteration is commonly used throughout Beowulf. A good example of alliteration is the quotes "as captain , a canny pilot along coasts and currents" (Haney 208-209). The repetition of sound is a good way of stressing a point in the story. Another example is "The ship rode the water, broad-beamed, bound by it's hawser" (Haney 301-302). The repetition of the sound "b" is pleasing to the ear. Another example is "Their man-shirts glinted, hard and hand-linked; the high-gloss iron" (Haney 321-322). The sound makes the words seem stronger, stressing the subject as being armour.
Kennings are used in many spoken stories including Beowulf. Instead of just saying the "sea" the author says "whale-road" (Haney 10). The use of this kenning describes another way of looking at the sea. This phrase says that the sea is a way of travel, like a road. The author descries "fog" as "cloud-murk" (Haney 651). This adds the adjective murky without actually saying the murky fog. When describing muscles or tendons the author says "bone-lappings" (Haney 817). This description is much more gruesome and adds to the feeling of carnage and gore.
Alliteration is commonly used throughout Beowulf. A good example of alliteration is the quotes "as captain , a canny pilot along coasts and currents" (Haney 208-209). The repetition of sound is a good way of stressing a point in the story. Another example is "The ship rode the water, broad-beamed, bound by it's hawser" (Haney 301-302). The repetition of the sound "b" is pleasing to the ear. Another example is "Their man-shirts glinted, hard and hand-linked; the high-gloss iron" (Haney 321-322). The sound makes the words seem stronger, stressing the subject as being armour.
Kennings are used in many spoken stories including Beowulf. Instead of just saying the "sea" the author says "whale-road" (Haney 10). The use of this kenning describes another way of looking at the sea. This phrase says that the sea is a way of travel, like a road. The author descries "fog" as "cloud-murk" (Haney 651). This adds the adjective murky without actually saying the murky fog. When describing muscles or tendons the author says "bone-lappings" (Haney 817). This description is much more gruesome and adds to the feeling of carnage and gore.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
