Beowulf Essay

Beowulf could be compared to many heroes in modern time. The last superhero movie I watched was The Avengers and I really enjoyed it. A superhero I would compare Beowulf to would be a character from that movie. To me Thor is such a great example to compare to Beowulf, because they both have some of the same attire. Also, they both were there to protect a country they cared for and didn't have to think twice about it. A few literary devices that are used in Beowulf are alliteration, assonance, and caesura.

Thor's character was someone who was strong and wanted to help and didn't seem to have to be asked more than once. He dressed as someone who was ready for battle in a way. Thor wore armor and had a mallet, he was the real deal. He was determined to fight and have everything safe and back to normal. Beowulf is very much the same as Thor. Beowulf and his soldiers dressed the same as Thor had and seemed very respected. Beowulf without being asked heard about Grendel invading Heorot and was well on his way to stop the demon and return Heorot back to normal. A safe place is what they both had in mind when they were protecting their land.

In Beowulf, examples of those literary techniques would be, (starting with alliteration), "Marshes, and made his home in hell," in "The Wrath of Grendel." This alliteration is used to describe Grendel's home as a hellish place. The way that Grendel's home is described creates an image in the listener's mind of Grendel's home as this horrible, frightening, and terrible place. This imagery makes appear Grendel as this monster because he lives in this "Hellish place." All of this makes the listener gain a sense of fear. An example of assonance is "By God, punished forever for the crime," in "The Wrath of Grendel." This helps show that Grendel is being punished in the passage. This assonance gives an explanation as to why Grendel continues to show his fury on the city. All of this portrays an image of Grendel being a cruel individual. The listener gets this image of an evil beast that is being punished for all eternity. The assonance is significant because it show how the monks' perceived Grendel. The monks' saw Grendel as a murderous creature just like Cain and that he must be punished by God.An example of caesura is, "Then, when darkness had dropped," in "The Wrath of Grendel." It is stressing the setting by emphasizing that it just became night. This aids in the passage by setting the stage of Grendel's arrival. The caesura gives an image of the setting as well. The caesura helps show motion in the passage which is, now that it is night, Grendel is coming. These show the examples of literary techniques in the story Beowulf.

In Beowulf's time he seemed to be the only person that could save the land he wanted to protect. Beowulf had the power of thirty men in each hand and was the only hope to have Heorot restored. On the other hand Thor was a very powerful hero but he did not do it on his own. He had his whole team help. Thor had a lot of power also but he couldn't defeat his evil brother Loki on his own, he needed his team, his friends. Eventually, both Heorot and America were safe thanks to Thor and his team and also, Beowulf.

In conclusion, Beowulf resembles modern day character and superhero Thor. They both have similar styles and attire. The safety of the people and land was both on their minds when they embarked on this journey. A few literary techniques used in Beowulf  are alliteration, assonance, and caesura. Beowulf and Thor are very similar but also different at the same time. Beowulf had his men there to help but did not really need them as he fought the demons off himself. As for Thor he had his team and he needed their help because they were in this together, and he knew he couldn't fight his evil brother alone.

Will Study For Food

I've only done a little research on college and scholarships. A site I found them on would be www.scholarships.com and www.fastweb.com. I found the "No Essay Scholarship" for $2,000 and the "Coca-Cola Scholars Program" for $20000. I would hope to earn around $8000 or more in scholarship money. I would use this money toward my tuition and housing. 

Vocabulary #3

1.apostate-a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
-The female apostate is to be kept in confinement until she recant or death

2.effusive-expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

-Her smile became wider and bowing thanks very effusive!

3.impasse-a situation in which no progress is possible, esp. because of disagreement; a deadlock.
-Impasse in the conference on disarmament.

4.euphoria-A feeling of great happiness or well-being.

-Just one man poured water into this wine of general euphoria.

5.lugubrious-looking or sounding sad and dismal.
-Lugubrious howl just outside -- within ten feet of them.

6.bravado-Defiant or swaggering behavior.
-Bravado in the face of fear and uncertainty?

7.consensus-general agreement.

-In such cases, reaching consensus was not an issue.

8.dichotomy-a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

-Dichotomy of view is an urgent component of nca's immediate horizon

9.constrict-make narrower, esp. by encircling pressure.

-Constructed from timber.

10.gothic-relating to,l or resembling the Goths their civilization, or their language.
-Goth kids who like darkness will figure out some way to improve the storminess without raining on everyone else's parade.

11.punctilio-a fine or petty point of conduct or procedure.

-They will not part with the least punctilio in their opinions and practices.

12.metamorphosis- A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.
-Metamorphosis into a salmon fisher?

13.raconteur-a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.
-He is a born raconteur, lover of life, communicator.

14.sine qua non-something absolutely indispensable or essential.
-Sine qua non condition for the existence of the two identities.

15.quixotic-exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

-Quixotic attempts at self-definition.

16.vendetta-a blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer or the murderer's family.

-I don't pursue vendettas or punch people on the nose.

17.non sequitur-an inference that does not follow from the premises.
-But this is little more than a logical non sequitur.

18.mystique-an air or attitude of mystery and reverence developing around something or someone.
-Mystique of directors comes from cinema.

19.quagmire-a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.

-Quagmire of a pitch both teams found it hard to get any rhythm

20.parlous-full of danger or uncertainty; precarious.

-The lebanon situation looks parlous despite an apparent ceasefire.

Why This Book?

The book I chose for my literary analysis is Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I decided to go with this book because I do enjoy reading books by Mark Twain so I thought I would go with this one.

VOCABULARY #2

1.accoutrements-An accessory item of equipment or dress. 
-He was arrested and charged with impersonating and officer and possessing military accoutrement illegally.

2.apogee-The point in the orbit of the moon or of an artificial satellite most distant from the center of the earth.

-The satellite was placed into an orbit with perigee of 510 km and apogee of 670 km and an inclination of 31° .

3.apropos-With reference to, concerning. 
-She remarked apropos of the initiative, “It's not going to stop the abuse.”

4.bicker-argue about petty and trivial matters.

-Whenever the phone rings, they bicker over who must answer it.

5.coalesce-come together and form one mass or whole.

-The puddles had coalesced into shallow streams.

6.contretemps-an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence.

-The hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night.

7.convolution-A form or part that is folded or coiled.

-This class implements a convolution from the source to the destination.

8.cull-select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources.

-Anecdotes culled from Greek and Roman history.

9.disparate-essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.

-They inhabit disparate worlds of thought.

10.dogmatic-inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true.

-He gives his opinion without trying to be dogmatic.

11.licentious-promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.

-We were treated by that corrupt policeman in a most licentious manner

12.mete-dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment.

-He denounced the maltreatment meted out to minorities.

13.noxious-harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.

-They were overcome by the noxious fumes.

14.polemic-a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.

-His polemic against the cultural relativism of the sixties.

15.populous-

Containing many people or inhabitants; having a large population.

-

California is in a populous condition, it is very crowded and cramped.

16.probity-the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.

-Although they were accusing her of several heinous crimes she answered all of their questions with total probity.

17.repartee-conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.

-John has a fast wit. His repartee is amusing.

18.supervene-occur later than a specified or implied event or action, typically in such a way as to change the situation.

-Any plan that is made is liable to be disrupted by supervening events.

19.truncate- To shorten by or as if by cutting off.

-Television coverage of the football match was truncated by a technical fault.

20.unimpeachable-not able to be doubted, questioned, or criticized; entirely trustworthy

-Journalists suspend their critical faculties, accept allegation as unimpeachable fact.

Beowulf Comprehension Questions

I did these comprehension questions in a group with Haley Zahn and Micaela Hellman. We divided the questions over text message and sent them to each other. I think the collaborative work was a really good way to do the assignment. It let us focus on our portion of the assignment and let each of us go into detail more than if we would have done all the questions on our own.

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34) (Haley Zahn)

1.Realize that this prologue introduces the Danes, not Beowulf or his people the Geats. What was unusual about the way Shield came to be ruler of the Danes? What was his funeral like? What relation is Hrothgar to Shield? 

- It was an unusual way that Shield became a king because he grew up as an orphan. At Shield's funeral the people that he once ruled put his body with his treasure out into the sea. The relation between Hrothgar and Shield is that Shield is Hrothgar's father.

Heorot is Attacked: (Micaela Hellman)

-The magnificent work Hrothgar undertook was Heorot. Heorot is a hall where men gather to drink and listen to music. 

-The demon Grendel, descendent of Cain, attacked Heorot and killed thirty men. 

-These attacks continued for 12 years. ---Unsuccessfully, the Danes tried to leave Grendel offerings at pagan shrines.

The hero comes to Heorot (Me)

1. What does Beowulf do when he hears about Hrothgar's problem with Grendel?

- Beowulf gathers his best soldiers and sets off to defeat the demon. 

2. Whom do the Geats first meet when they arrive in Denmark? What does he do, and what do they do?

- When the Geats arrive they first meet a Danish watchman who was patrolling the cliffs. He asks what they are doing on the shores of Denmark dressed in armor carrying weapons and Beowulf replies they are there to defeat Grendel. 

3. They next meet Hrothgar's herald. Who is he? What does he tell them? What does he tell Hrothgar? What does Hrothgar respond? Are you surprised that Hrothgar knows Beowulf so well?

- Hrothgars' herald is Wulfgar, a messenger. He asks them of their name and kin and that he will tell Hrothgar of their request. He told Hrothgar that the Geats have traveled from across the ocean to "have speech at will". Hrothgar responds by saying he knew Ecgtheow and Beowulf as a boy. I am not surprised that he knows Beowulf so well, no one could really forget someone who has the strength of thirty men in each hand. 

4.What does Beowulf tell Hrothgar when he enters? What did Hrothgar do for Beowulf's father? 

- When Beowulf enters, he told Hrothgar that he heard about Grendel's attacks and Heorot is empty because of the demon that comes in the night. Hrothgar said he helped Beowulf's father and paid off all things that he owned. 

Feast at Heorot: (Micaela Hellman) 

-Unferth accuses Beowulf of losing a swimming match against Breca and, therefore, will lose against Grendel.

-Beowulf says he was pulled under the water by a sea monster and so he killed that one along with eight others. If he didn't kill them, neither him or Breca would have made it to shore.

- This episode shows Beowulf bragging about himself and his abilities 

-Beowulf accuses Unferth of being drunk

-During the feast Queen Wealhtheow offers a ceremonial goblet to everyone in the room and thanks god for sending Beowulf.

The Fight With Grendel: (Micaela Hellman)

1) Beowulf's preparation with Grendel is different because he does not fight with any weapons or armor. 

2) When Grendel enters he devours a warrior as Beowulf watches. Beowulf grabs onto his arm and attacks him. When Grendel tries to leave Beowulf tackles him and rips off his arm. Grendel does leave to go to the water to die but he leaves behind his arm.

Celebration at Heorot: (Micaela Hellman)

1) Beowulf is like Sigemund because they are both heroes for killing monsters: Grendel and a dragon. They also both receive gold treasures. Beowulf is not like  Heremod because   is an evil king while Beowulf is a kind hero.

2) Hrothgar gives Beowulf weapons, armor, and eight horses. He also says that he has adopted him as a son. Unferth doesn't have anything to say to Beowulf.

3) The story of Finn is about Finn and the Danez who are neighbor tribes. They both made a truce and Ginn married a Danish princess named Hildeburh. The Danes rise against the Fustains and Finn is soon killed.

4) Wealhtheow asks Heothgar not to have Beowulf be the next king but instead one of their children. 

5) The necklace is later given to Beowulf's uncle Hygelac who dies in a battle. Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to be kind to her sons and guide them. 

6) So many men remain in the bar hall to sleep because Grendel is dead and so they think it is safe to do so. This is a mistake because Grendel's mother comes in hope to seek remember for Grendel. 

Beowulf and Grendel's Mother: (Micaela Hellman)

1) Unlike Grendel who just wanted to kill men, Grendel's mother comes to Heorot for revenge.

2) Hrothgar asks Beowulf to kill Grendel's mother in return for a chest full of gold. Grendel's mother has killed Aeschere, Hrothgars trusted advisor.

3) The mere is a horrible swamp with magical quality. Animals are even scared to go there because the water burns.

Beowulf fights Grendel's mother: (Me)

1. How does Beowulf tell Hrothgar to respond?

- He tells Hrothgar to respond as if a horrible battle had started and to not feel sorrow but revenge. 

2. What happens at the mere before Beowulf enters it?

- Beowulf and his men kill a sea monster in the water and Hrothgar and his men find Aeschere's severed head on the shore. 

3. How does Beowulf prepare for this battle? What sword does he take with him?

- He prepares by putting on the armor from Hrothgar and uses the sword, Hrunting,  Unferth had given him to fight with. 

4. What happens when Beowulf enters the mere? What is surprising about where Grendel and his mother live in the mere?

- When he enters, Grendel's mother grabs him and pulls him down as the monsters try and attack him. He is unharmed because of his armor. It's surprising where they live because it takes half a day to get there. 

5. What happens to the sword Beowulf borrowed from Unferth?

- The sword Unferth lent him breaks. 

6. At one point Beowulf is on the floor, with Grendel's mother sitting on him and drawing her knife. How does Beowulf escape?

- The armor saves him from the knife wound Grendel's mother was trying to give him and then uses his strength to push her off him. 

7. How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother? What weapon does he use? What happens when she dies? What does Beowulf take with him from her home? What happens to the sword he used to kill her?

- Beowulf uses the sword of Eotens and cuts the mother's throat. Seeking revenge  for those killed by Grendel Beowulf brings the severed head back home. His sword melts from the mother's acidic blood. 

8. What happens when Beowulf returns to the surface? Did his men expect him to return?

- Beowulf swims back to the surface and none of his men are there because they doubted his ability to beat Grendel's mother. 

Further Celebration at Heorot: (Me)

1. What does Beowulf give to Hrothgar?

- Beowulf gives Hrothgar the hilt of his sword and Grendel's head. 

2. What message does Hrothgar have for Beowulf? What and why does he tell us about Heremod? Why and how did Heremod die? What lesson does Hrothgar teach with the Heremod example?

- Beowulf is warned by Hrothgar about being a fair ruler. Heremod was a horrible king because of his betrayals and murders was banished and exiled. Eventually he was betrayed and killed. 

3. What does Beowulf give to Unferth as he leaves?

- Beowulf gives Unferth his sword, Hrunting, back. 

Beowulf Returns Home: (Me)

1. What does Hrothgar predict for Beowulf?

- Hrothgar predicts Beowulf will come back to protect the Danes again. 

2. Who is Hygd and why is she not like Modthryth?

- Hygd is the Queen of the Geatlands. Unlike Modthryth she won't kill and torture her people for looking at her. 

3. Beowulf reports to Hygelac that Hrothgar may marry his daughter Freawaru to Ingeld. Why does he plan to do that? What does Beowulf expect the result will be? (Remember the Finn story, lines 1070-1158.) How does Beowulf think the peace will be broken? Is this the type of report we expected from the hero Beowulf, or are we seeing a new side of him?

- Hrothgar is hoping if his daughter Freawaru marry Ingeld he can create peace between the Danes and Heathobards. Beowulf assumes that Hrothgar is only bringing back the fued and certain that more conflict will arise because its not easy to forget history. There is a different side to Beowulf because he normally acts on impulse instead of  reason. 

4.How does Beowulf report about his own adventures? Does he report accurately?

- Beowulf reports he earned glory. He does report accurately but in a way that makes him seem brave. 

5.What does Beowulf do with the treasure he was given? What does Hygelac give him?

- Beowulf gives most of his gifts to Hygelac and Hygd. He gives the kings weapons, armor, four horses and most of the treasures he was given. Beowulf gave Hygd the necklace Wealtheow gave him. Hygelac gives Beowulf land, a sword, and a house. 

Beowulf and the Dragon: (Haley Zahn)

1) Heardred and Hygelac both fell in the 50 years after the conference Beowulf had with Hrothgar. 

2) he was angry because his pillaged treasure got repillaged by a tribe. And the man was trying to make amends with lord. 

3) He burnt down the countryside of Geats. 

4) Beowulf orders a new shield that will be able to withstand flames and thinks he will fight the dragon the same way he ought Grendel but he'll die because of how weak he is.

5) Beowulf was going to he revenge by killing the dragon. 

6) 13 men.

7) Heardred got killed by the Sweetish kings men. Beowulf decides to kill Onela to get revenge and he killed everyone that killed his kinsmen. This all caused a state of feud between the Swedes am stage Geats.

Beowulf Attacks the Dragon: (Haley Zahn)

1) He says that the dragon is his battle so he tells his companions to wait outside for his return and wants to do this alone.

2) He has a realization that his sword and shield are useless against the dragon's breath. His companions went to flee except Wiglaf stayed to fight with and help Beowulf because he felt like he owed it to him.

3) The second time Beowulf meets the Dragon the Dragon spits fire at Beowulf and Wiglaf. Beowulf's sword shatters and the dragon takes this opportunity to bite him and gives him a fatal wound on his neck. Wiglaf stabs the dragon in the stomach hurting him badly and then Beowulf manages to find some strength to take his smaller dagger and stabs the dragon on his side and kills him. 

4) He asks Wiglaf to go and bring him some of the treasure from the dragons lair because he wants to see it before he dies. Beowulf requests a mound  that is built and named after him so that people honor and remember him and he wants it to be called Beowulf's Barrow.

Beowulf's Funeral: (Haley Zahn)

1) when the companions return Wiglaf gets very upset. He says to the men that he predicts bad fortunes for them because Beowulf showed so much kindness towards them and they have acted cowardly. 

2) The messenger tells the city that Beowulf has died an did anyone tried to touch the gold will be cursed because there is already a curse on the gold.

3) Wiglaf warns the crowd that if you sacrifice yourself you will end up hurting many people.

4) The dragon gets left alone. 

5) A lady sings a song which is about the fall of the Geats while the burning of Beowulf and his treasure are boring on the pyre. And then after the funeral Geats builds a tower over Beowulf's pyre.

6) The last three lines are talking about how kind and gentle Beowulf was and these not necessarily because even though military men fight just like Beowulf did I don't often here them described as kind and gentle, they are more described as out to do whatever they have to do to protect our country and often show little emotion at all.

Beowulf Notes Prologue-Chapter X

• The poem opens up with Sheild Sheafson, a great king of Ancient Danes and founder of their royal line. He began life as an infant abandoned by his parents, but quickly rose to become strong and powerful. All the clans had to pay him tribute and when he died they had an elaborate funeral ceremony. His body was put into a boat covered with armor and treasures, and cast off into sea.
• Sheafson's son the renowned Beow had inherited the kingdom after his father's death.
• In time Beow too passed away and Halfdane his son, became king. After Halfdane, Hrothgar stepped forward to rule the Danes.
• Under Hrothgar, the kingdom prospered and enjoyed great military success. Hrothgar decided to build monument his success.
• The hall was called Heorot.
• Men gathered there to drink mead (beer-like beverage) and listen to the songs of the bards.
• The kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity for some time. One night a demon named Grendel descended from Cain, emerged from the swampy lowlands, to listen to the nightly entertainment at Heorot.
• Once the men in mead hall fell asleep Grendel lumbered inside and slaughtered thirty men. Hrothgar's warriors were powerless against him.
• The following night Beowuld, nephew of Geatish king Hygelac, is the greatest hero in the world. He lives in Geatland. When Beowulf hears about what Grendel has done he decides to travel the Danes and help Hrothgar defeat Grendel.
• The watchmen see the newcomers dressed for combat and stop Beowulf and demand to know his business. He explains he is the son of Ecgtheow and owes loyalty to Hygelic. The watchmen give Beowulf consent.
• The watchmen guide Beowulf and his men to the mead hall, Heorot where he takes his leave. A herald named Wulfgar, who is renowned for his wisdom, stops Beowulf and asks him to state his business with Hrothgar. Beowulf introduces himself and asks to speak to the king. Wulfgar impressed with the appearance of the men takes the message to Hrothgar right away.Hrothgar recalls his friendship with Beowulf's father when Beowulf was a young boy and has heard of Beowulf's great prowess. (one story holds that he has the power of thirty men in each of his hands).
• Beowulf meets Hrothgar who he greets solemnly. Beowulf offers to fight Grendel unarmed and after considering it Hrothgar accepts Beowulf's offer. He invites the Geats to have a feast in Heorot with the Danish warriors.
• During the feast a Dane names Unferth, who is jealous of the admiration of Beowuf, begins to taunt the Geat. He claims Beowulf will meet defeat for a second time when he faces Grendel in the mead-hall. Beowulf accuses Unferth of drunkenness and describes his own version of the swimming match. They are carrying swords to defend themselves against sea monsters, he and Berca had struggled in icy waters for five days and nights when suddenly Beowulf found himself pulled under by a monster. After slaying the moster and eight other sea beasts, Beowulf was washed ashore on the coast of Finland. He notes neither Unferth or Berca could have survived such an adventure and mocks Unferth about his obvious helplessness against Grendel.
• Beowulf's confidence cheers the whole hall and the warriors were laughing and drinking happily. Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's wife and Queen of Danes, enters with ceremonial goblet which she offers everyone in the room. She thanks God for sending Beowulf to fight Grendel.
• When night falls, the Danes leave the hall to Beowulf and his men/ Beowulf lays next to his weapons, removes his armor, restating his intention to fight Grendel unarmed. He says he thinks of himself to be as dangerous as Grendel. Beowulf lies down to wait while his fearful men lie awake, doubting they will live to see morning. In the dark night Grendel approaches stealthily, creepily toward the small band of Geats.