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| Opening lines of Beowulf in Cotton Vitellius A.XV |
Now that you've finished the poem, what are your impressions? Specifically, what is one significant thing either about or within the poem that sticks with you? It might be a specific scene, phrase, or character; it might be an overarching tone or impression; or it might be something even less tangible--a vague something-or-other that resides within, around, among, and beneath the narrative.
Either way, provide some specific textual examples of your own 'lasting impression' and then discuss why this particular scene/phrase/character/tone/etc has impacted you in a certain way.
Reminder: There will be a quiz on Tuesday, and we'll start discussing Hero and the Crown on Thursday. Print off the two relevant articles ("Welding Brass" and "YA Lit Hope") and bring them with you to class. No need to read them yet.
My overall impression of the book is favorable. This is my first time reading the text, but I can see why is has become a classic. My impression of it is very similar to that of The Odyssey. I see both books as epic poems, even though Beowulf dies at the end of his story. Also, even though Beowulf came across to me as a little conceited and self-fulfilling, there are instances, as the book continues, where I believe Beowulf becomes honorable and self-sacrificing such as on lines 2529-2532 and 1826-1830. These instances enhance Beowulf as a character and help readers connect with him.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to select one instance in Beowulf that will likely stick with me, it would be the incorporation of life lessons—more specifically, the life lessons spoken by Hrothgar to Beowulf after Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother. As this story was first told orally before written down by scribes, there are several instances where the speaker would work in life lessons or reasons for telling the story. In my selection, Hrothgar speaks with Beowulf about the dangers of power and the fragility of life. Both of these speeches strongly foreshadow Beowulf’s decisions later during his fight with the dragon.
In these speeches, I was most impacted by lines like: “Because of good things that the Heavenly Powers gave him in the past he ignores the shape of things to come” (1750-1752) and “Beware of the trap [….] Do not give way to pride” (1758, 1760). I can identify with both of the passages. Although the warnings are for Beowulf, they are applicable in today’s society as well. The first tells us that we cannot get caught up in glory and power; we must always stay on our guard and be wary of things to come. If we begin to think we are invincible, we will be ignorant and incompetent when larger problems arise. The second follows the same lines, reminding us to not let our pride get in the way of what we know we cannot accomplish. Unfortunately for Beowulf, he did let his pride get in his way in his last battle against the dragon. Instead of realizing that he was much too old to fight such a beast, he attempts to take it on anyway, ultimately giving up his own life.
The biggest lasting impressions Beowulf will have on me is its incorporation of life lessons that remind us not to take things for granted and to recognize our personal strengths to give ourselves the ability to make the right decisions.
Being a Christian myself, I think the most significant aspect of this book that really struck a chord with me was the intertwining of Christian values. After reading the beginning, it was hard to pick up on these subtle inferences, but they became more and more evident as the book progressed.
ReplyDeleteI began to specifically take note of them after Beowulf defeated Grendel's mother and returned home. His personal description of the fight is as follows: "It was hard-fought, a desperate affair, that could have gone badly; if God had not helped me, the outcome would have been quick and fatal" (pg. 115). In the beginning of this poem, several of us were arguing that Beowulf was fighting for his own self-pride, yet here we see him display a humbling attitude that gives all the glory to God. Later, a description of Beowulf recounts that he "...watched and controlled his God-sent strength..." (pg. 149). This statement is proof that even others note the Godly influence that was present in his life.
I think for me these specific instances (along with others that I did not mention) were significant because that is how I wish to view myself and my own achievements. For all of the trials that I have overcome in my life, none have been accomplished without the strength given from God. Now, I believe this, BUT it is something that sometimes falls from the fore-front and gets lost in the craziness of life. Having it brought up in a context such as this one is just a simple reminder to myself of where my focus should lie.
You also see a different side of Beowulf through these words and I saw my opinion of him significantly change for the better. He may have started out as a young, narrow-minded hero but over the course of time, he developed into a grateful, humble king who acknowledges all that he has been given into getting to where he is at. Whether or not others see where I'm coming from or agree with it, this is what sticks with me from this poem. They may be small words but they carry a huge meaning.
This is my second time reading "Beowulf" and I must say that I enjoyed the actual reading of the tale much more this time around. I remember getting a lot out of the discussions on "Beowulf" in high school, but overall I enjoyed this translation a lot more.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I remembered from high school was "Beowulf"’s use of kennings (Specifically, I remember my teacher saying that “whale-road” (10) sounded like a small child who couldn’t say “railroad”. But, I digress.). I underlined many kennings as I was reading and enjoyed trying to figure out what they meant. I think my favorite was “heaven’s gem” (2073), a reference to the sun.
Perhaps the event in "Beowulf" that left the most lasting impression on me, however, is Beowulf’s encounter with Grendel. I remember spending a lot of time discussing Beowulf and Grendel in high school; Beowulf’s fight with Grendel was the first thing I remembered about the tale when I found out that we were going to be reading "Beowulf" in ENGL 230 this semester.
Specifically, I remember the scene in which Grendel is defeated: “Everyone felt it who heard that cry as it echoed off the wall, a God-cursed scream and strain of catastrophe, the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf keening his wound” (783-787). Up until this point in the book, Grendel is depicted as a powerful, invincible beast that can’t be stopped. Then noble Beowulf steps in to save the day and everyone is happy. Maybe the exciting nature of this scene is because of Grendel’s mysterious aura, or perhaps it’s because it’s the reader’s first opportunity to see just how noble/fame-hungry Beowulf really is. Although this may just be one of the big events in the book and not necessarily a deep insight into the narrative framework, the fact that this scene has stuck with me for four years after first reading it means that it made quite the lasting impression on me, indeed!
This is my second time reading Beowulf and I have enjoyed it both times. There are many scenes that I felt were significant to the story. However, the last scene of the book was the one that really stuck out in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe tone of the last couple pages of the story was quite somber. Throughout the rest of the book we read of Beowulf’s heroic battles and noble actions, but in the end, when Beowulf dies, he leaves behind a tragic fate for his people (3008-3027) and a city destroyed by fire (3160). I find it interesting that a man who was beloved and honored his whole life left behind such chaos and despair when he died. It is not quite the ending the reader expects for or hopes for.
Toward the end of this book, I was really struck by the text in the last page (lines 3156 – 3182). I was so surprised that despite all of the problems Beowulf left behind when he died, his people took the time and care to build him a great barrow (3156-3163) and give him “thanks for his greatness” (3174). In the last lines of the page the reader can really gather a sense of how truly sad and hopeless the people feel now that they have lost their beloved leader. Again, I find it very impactful that this heroic tale ends with such an unexpected and somber ending.
This was a very enjoyable poem for me, as was the long epic tale of the Odyssey. These stories of great warriors/heroes seem to keep tight of my interest, therefore, making them an enjoyable reed. As there were many references to the Christian faith in Beowulf, one particular good sign of faith stuck with me throughout the poem. I really liked the way Beowulf put everything aside to help a great king at the exact moment he caught news of the attacks on Heorot by Grendel.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that Beowulf’s intentions were sincere, but one has to consider if he was just chasing the action to add to his great adventures. Regardless, once Beowulf heard of the terror Grendel was causing, Beowulf knew he was the right man to get a band of warriors together and immediately set sail to the Danes (p.15, 194-228). I thoroughly respect Beowulf for recognizing his strengths and abilities to not only defeat an evil monster, but to bring the once safe and sound Heorot back to Hrothgar.
Once Beowulf landed at Heorot, he was quickly accused by Unferth for over expressing his abilities which was unfair to a person who is willing to risk his own life to save others (p.35, 506-528). I completely agree that Unferth was out of line and should have greeted Beowulf very differently. Overall, this was an unselfish act of help which can still be seen by people today by expressing the good Christian in them.
With this being my second time through Beowulf I noticed a lot more things this time around. Surprisingly the part I enjoyed the most starts on line 703 when Grendle makes his way down to the mead hall. The mental picture in my mind as I read this scene was fantastic. The way that Grendel is described as "out of the night came the shadow-stalker stealthy and swift." Portray this image of an evil terror that comes down to wreck havoc. Little does Grendel know that he is awaited by a man who is his equal. When I read this scene I almost felt like I should be holding my breath because of the eery silence of the setting. The mental picture that I got was of a red eyed evil monster licking his chops preparing to make hell on earth a reality. "his glee was demonic picturing the mayhem before morning he would rip life from limb and devour them, feed on their flesh;" (730)
ReplyDeleteThis scene stuck out to me because it was the first time that I really felt the terror that Grendel had been wreaking on the mead hall. It made me appreciate Beowulf a lot more as well because I began to feel why the Danes were so glad that he killed Grendel and saved them from the terror that they had been going through. I liked Beowulf a lot more after this part because while he may have been proud he was also very brave and courageous; he accomplished what no one before him ever had... he killed Grendel.
I was impressed by the aphorisms throughout the text. Many of them spoke of brotherhood, honor, and wisdom. Sometimes, it's hard to relate people that lived as long ago as the seventh century, but the words of wisdom in "Beowulf" help remind us that these ancient cultures had some basic human morals and values.
ReplyDeleteThe first aphorism I found was said by the watchman to Beowulf and his crew. Beowulf has just boasted about the strength of himself ans his crew and stated his purpose--to defeat the dreaded monster, Grendel. In response to this ambitious speech, the watchman says "Anyone with gumption and a sharp mind will take the measure of two things: what's said and what's done." (287-289) In other words, 'put your money where your mouth is,' or 'seeing is believing.'
Also lines 2708-2709 "So every man should act, be at hand when needed." and 2890-2891 "A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame." These quotes express values that are still very much a part of modern society. From them we learn that loyalty, steadfastness, proactive behavior and bravery were highly valued.
Some of the dialog struck me too. For example, Beowulf says "The fact is, Unferth, if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere." (590-595) I wrote "ouch" in the margin here; Unferth just got burned.
When Beowulf tells Hrothgar to "Bear up" (1395) it is touching, and the reader can picture Beowulf trying to calm the mourning king. Scenes like this made the story good and true- and we can see why it is popular despite being soo ancient.
What has stuck with me the most revolves a lot around the discussions we had in class. I still want to know what happened to make Grendel attack Heorot. The people talk of him being demon-like and horrible, but, like we discussed in class, he was never that way to anyone before. Lines 141-142 say "So Grendel ruled in defiance of right, one against all...", Grendel is fighting for the rights of something. And then line 164 "So Grendel waged his lonely war," makes me feel bad for Grendel. He's alone in this fight, we as readers have no idea what it is, but there is some war he feels the need to fight. I just want to know what it is.
ReplyDeleteTo me Beowulf is a remembrance of Beowulf’s accomplishments. The book is shorter than the Odysseus and the gods do not play a huge role in the book, there is no Muse, long catalogues or extensive battles scenes. There are three main battles in the book but they are not as long as they were in the Odysseus to me this story is not epic. The story focuses on Beowulf’s grandest moments, which are defeating Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon. On line 817-818 it says “Beowulf was granted the glory of winning” after he defeated Grendel. The story also talks about his fame and the friends who appreciated his kindness (l1700-1710, 2630-2668). Of course at the end of the book it talks about the death of Beowulf and what he has accomplished in his life (3071-3310). The book is displaying all of Beowulf’s strong qualities which are all the qualities people want to remember him for.
ReplyDeleteThe most impactful thing from the poem Beowulf, was the unique view that living your life for others by dying in battle was the ultimate fame and fulfillment in your life. Although, I do recognize dying in battle as a very honorable thing, in today's modern society dying in battle is seen as a very saddening thing. Beowulf's life was fulfilled because he died when he fought the battle. At the end of the story the people are saying " he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame" (3181-3182). According to this statement Beowulf received his fame through his death, this theme resonated with me because it would be an interesting approach to life to live every day gambling with your life, and never really fearing death but embracing it.
ReplyDeleteThe text had a good quote, "the battle had been won, bought and paid for by Beowulf's death"(2843-2844). The overarching theme to me was the question whether the expense of one's death is really as rewarding as Beowulf made it out to be.
For me, the most impressionable aspect of Beowulf is its portrayal of such noble characteristics as heroism, bravery, honor, glory, and renown. Beowulf is certainly the character that exemplifies these traits the most, and everyone else is constantly talking about his greatness. However, there is one scene in the poem that I think is more telling of Beowulf's character than any other. Surprisingly, this scene comes after his death, when Wiglaf is rebuking the rest of the warriors for failing to come to his aid.
ReplyDeleteBeowulf's death in battle with the dragon is a very noble act in itself. At the time of the battle, he is around 80 years old, and he knows the battle may be his last, as he says, "I shall win the gold by my courage, or else mortal combat, doom of battle, will bear your lord away" (lines 2535-2537). However, he bravely faces the dragon because he knows that his people need his help.
The men of Beowulf's guard, however, present a stark contrast to the hero's own noble character. Despite the fact that he has been a great king, providing protection to all of the Geats and bestowing many gifts upon his warriors, none of them except for Wiglaf are willing to come to his rescue in his time of need. Wiglaf is incredulous of the behavior of his comrades, saying, "the lord of men who showered you with gifts...was throwing weapons uselessly away" (lines 2865-2871). Furthermore, these men are called "battle-dodgers" and "tail-turners," and the narrator says they "had let down their lord" (lines 2846-2848). Wiglaf tells them that many enemies will come to attack when they hear how they "turned and fled and disgraced" themselves (line 2889-2890). All of these descriptions serve to show that these men are not anywhere close to Beowulf in terms of moral fiber, and to highlight just how heroic Beowulf actually is.
The story of Beowulf, and particularly this scene near its end, will stay with me for a long time as an example of a very noble, honorable, courageous man, who was willing to stand up to any evil to help and protect his people, even when they were all too cowardly to help and protect him. Few other literary characters exemplify the purity and strength of Beowulf, and this is surely one of the reasons the poem has survived for so long.
The most interesting idea in Beowulf for me, is if he is arrogant or heroic. After reading Beowulf I've come to the conclusion that he is far more heroic then arrogant, but does have an arrogant side. I believe this message truly comes across with his decision to fight the dragon and the reaction of his men after the battle. In class we talked about how old Beowulf was and that it was stupid and arrogant for him to fight the dragon. It is my belief that Beowulf was the only person capable of defeating the dragon and given his advanced age seems somewhat sensible. I believe he was the only person capable by the actions of his men during the battle. In lines 2591-2601 we see that all but one of his men flee during the battle. These men were not your average soldiers, they were hand pick by Beowulf, the best he had. If none of these men were even willing to stand their ground, it is safe to say they would not have been able to kill the dragon. Secondly due to Beowulf's age it makes sense that he be the one to risk his life. If he is indeed around 80 years old at this point he cant have that much more time on earth. Sure he leaves his people leaderless, however Wiglaf does appear to be somewhat capable, Beowulf would have died soon. Better to takeout the most significant current threat to his people, then risk his young men against a foe they could not beat. If indeed they are going to be invaded better its better to have 20 strong young soldiers then one 80 year old.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy Beowulf and i like him as a character. Given his battle's with Grendel, Grendel's mom, and the dragon i see him as a self sacrificing man who clearly was a great fighter and king for his people.
I know this is a classic piece of literature so I understand why we read it, but I was not a fan of this book. I think the most important or parts that will stick with me are actually the parts in between the fights, when it’s just dialogue, usually Beowulf and someone else about past stories or things they’ve learned, or the importance of brotherhood and honor of battle. It also added to Beowulf’s character that I admit I don’t like, that he honors a commitment and goes to help fight whoever was in need. He goes to help Hygelac in his despair because of the friendship that existed between his father and Hygelac (p.19). His reasons behind his actions are respectable but Beowulf’s character itself is too boastful and conceded for me. I felt the battles with Grendel and his mother were rushed and anticlimactic, and for the main events of the story could have been more suspenseful or elaborated on more. The speech by Wiglaf on Beowulf’s deathbed to the frightened soldiers was probably the most memorial event of the book (179). It seemed like it could be a speech used today in multiple circumstances about the importance of loyalty and standing by your leader no matter what. Although I wasn’t impressed with the accounts of the battles and not just the battles themselves, I do think there is some importance in the parts in between the battles with character developments as well as dialogue.
ReplyDeleteChristy Hunter
ReplyDeleteOne thing that really intrigued me was how the much the text seemed concerned with the inevitability of mortality. The narrator and various characters go out of their way to remind us of that nagging aspect of life that haunts all living things (including great warriors), and that is death.
One example of this is during Hrothgar's speech to Beowulf after he has killed Grendel's mother. He takes care to remind Beowulf not to be too prideful of his accomplishments, because his youthful strength is bound to diminish with time. He says, "'Do not give way to pride./ For a brief while your strength is in bloom/ but it fades quickly...Your piercing eye/ will dim and darken; and death will arrive,/ dear warrior, to sweep you away'" (lines 1760- 1768). It seems quite significant that Hrothgar would make this speech now, right after Beowulf has done him and his people a great service. Instead of simply thanking him and giving him gifts, he seems to revere Beowulf as worthy enough of his worldly advice; something which, in its own way, could be seen as more valuable than treasure. This speech of advice, at such a critical point in the text, illustrates the importance of anticipating death.
The narrator also relates how death is certain for all. While fighting the dragon, the narrtor tells how difficult it is for Beowulf to mentally accept defeat. "For the son of Ecgtheow, it was no easy thing/ to have to give ground like that and go/ unwillingly to inhabit another home/ in a place beyond; so every man must yield/ the leasehold of his days" (lines 2586- 2591). This passage delves into an additional aspect of death: the existence of an actual place where the souls of the living go once they have died. Even though Beowulf is not ready for this transition, the tone of this section has a kind of hopeful sadness that death on earth will not be the true end of him.
Beowulf to me is an epic poem, it seemed very similar to The Odyssey. However after reading Beowulf I was a bit disappointed, it was not an epic poem I would really want to read again. I did not like how Beowulf’s character stayed the same throughout the novel. He is always seemed very arrogant, and always wanted to win every battle and be the best.
ReplyDeleteThere were two parts that stood out to me in the novel; the first is when Hrothgar speaks to Beowulf. On pg 119 lines 1725 through 1758 Hrothgar basically shares with Beowulf that he should not be taking life for granted. Also that “he indulges his desires illness and old age mean nothing to him his mind is untroubled by envy or malice or the thought of enemies with their hate honed swords.” This line can also apply to the end of the novel when Beowulf is fighting against the dragon. The other part I liked a lot was the short line by Hrothgar line 1760 “do not give way to pride.” Which I guess Beowulf ignored this advice because all he ever wanted in life was to be the best and have everyone know he was the best.
The part that is going to stick with me is this line 2858 pg 193 “what God judged right would rule what happened to every man, as it does to this day.” I think this is so true, maybe its because I’m Christian but I believe that God has a plan for everyone. I thought it was cool to see the influence of religion in some parts of this novel.
I know that I have already mentioned this in class and maybe even my ticket question. However, it really bothers me that during the fight scene his men leave him. I think that it is uncharacteristic of the time and the nature of battles in this time. Lines 2596-2601 read:
ReplyDeleteNo help or backing was to be has then from his high-born comrades; that hand-picked troop broke ranks and ran for their lives to the safety of the wood. But within one heart sorrow welled up: in a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied (175).
This quote states it all. These men were “hand-picked” and they still left. They were the exact men that Beowulf believed and trusted in, but they left him to fight the dragon alone. I know that Beowulf did not make a very good decision when he decided to fight the dragon, but they are supposed to stay by his side according to tradition of this time. The end of that passage even says a “man of worth” stayed around to help him and that proves right there that the rest of these men were wrong. The text never really mentions this again and that really bothers me. Throughout this entire poem we see that Beowulf is striving to have glory and honor by battling and ruling, but then we see something of the exact opposite nature and it is barely mentioned. On the other hand, maybe by highlighting Wiglaf’s decision to stay and help fight it is showing how wrong the rest of the men are. Again, I know I have already mentioned this but it just does not seem normal for this time that all of them would with the exception of only one.
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most impressionable aspect of Beowulf was its underlying theme of loyalty. Although loyalty is portrayed in different ways throughout the elegiac poem, there is a specific scene towards the end that creates a strong and lasting impression of loyalty. I am referring to the scene where Beowulf is fighting the dragon and his sword fails him for the first time.
ReplyDeleteAll but one of Beowulf’s comrades has broken rank and ran for their lives into the cover and safety of the woods. Wiglaf, the only remaining thane, goes to his king’s aid. Inspired by Beowulf’s kindness and loyalty, “…he waded the dangerous reek and went under arms to his lord”(2661-2662). When the dragon attacks Beowulf and Wiglaf for the third and final time, the dragon catches the hero with flames and delivers a deadly bite into his neck. Wiglaf demonstrates the importance of loyalty fighting in, “the line of battle with his lord, his first time to be tested as a fighter. His spirit did not break and the ancestral blade would keep its edge… as they came together in the combat.”(2626-2630). Wiglaf even says to his companions, “I remember that time when mead was flowing, how we pledged loyalty to our lord in the hall, promised our ring-giver we would be worth our price...”(2633-2635). Seeing his beloved lord struggle inspires Wiglaf to uphold the warrior principle of loyalty by coming to his lord’s aid and helping him to kill the dragon. This scene was one of the most significant scenes in the book in my opinion.
This battle scene strongly evokes Beowulf’s underlying theme of loyalty. It has stuck with me and has also changed my original opinion of Beowulf’s character. I now feel that Beowulf, although he may have been arrogant, was a loyal and caring king above all; and that in my opinion is what makes “a good and true king.”
This was my third (and hopefully last) time reading Beowulf. I read it for the first time in 7th grade, then in my senior year in high school, and now in college. Interestingly enough, I think I enjoyed it the most the first time I read it, not because it was the first read but because my class had spent a considerable amount of time with this text. Overall, my lasting impression has remained fairly constant over all three times that I've read Beowulf. It's just a very good and simple story of a hero and a classic read. I want to say it's simple because the root of the story is this: a brave hero slays monsters and dies a noble and honorable death at the end of the tale. Perhaps that is what makes it a classic. Compared to contemporary books that have crazy and complex plot twists and turns, these simple stories have withstood the test of time.
ReplyDeleteThe first and only thing I think of when I read Beowulf is Grendel. Without the villain, a hero is nothing more than an ordinary man without an extraordinary tale. One contrast that I made from when I read Beowulf in middle school and now is that my perception of Grendel had changed considerably. When once I believed that Grendel was this hellish monster that took full pleasure of killing humans, I now see him with mixed feelings. I found myself feeling sympathetic for Grendel when Beowulf was defeating him. “The monster’s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst… Grendel was driven under the fen-banks, fatally hurt, to his desolate lair” (814-820). We can see that this monster feels pain just like humans, and so many times we find ourselves rooting for the underdog. It is interesting to note that although the Danes were considered the underdog against Grendel, the positions switch when Beowulf comes in and destroys him without any difficulty.
Like some other people in this class this is my second time reading Beowulf and I had also watched the newest movie. Overall I liked the story even though the way it is worded because of the translation makes it very confusing at times. Reading it the second time made me pay more attention to what happens after the fight with Grendel. When reading it in high school we spent the majority of the time on the battle between Beowulf and Grendel and Grendel's mother. The ending of this poem isn't for me though. It moves very slowly I feel like and as soon as the fight with the dragon is over the book just feels dull and boring.
ReplyDeleteOf the choices listed in the question I would say that "Beowulf" is a heroic tale. I say this because Beowulf is a hero who has accomplished many great things and continued doing so throughout the story. First saving the Danes from Grendel, killing Grendel's mother, and then rising in power to become king and leader of his people. When he dies he does so heroically in an epic battle between himself and a dragon. He earns the respect of his people and is known throughout the land as a great and powerful ruler who is also very compassionate and just. Beowulf died like a warrior and there is nothing tragic about his death as his death was just a reflection of what his life had been like.
The part which stuck with me the most was when Beowulf was being overpowered by the dragon and all his men abandoned him for safety except Wiglaf. Wiglaf's speech (page 177-178 lines 2631-2660) is like a quote you would find in the climax of a war movie. The speech really showed how much some people cared about Beowulf and were truly thankful for everything Beowulf had done for the Geats, "As God is my witness, I would rather my body were robed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver's body than go back home bearing arms. That is unthinkable, unless we have first slain the foe and defended the life of the prince of the Weather-Geats. I well know the things he has done for us deserve better. Should he alone be left exposed to fall in battle? We must bond together, shield and helmet, mail-shirt and sword" (2650-2660). This speech or section in the text was the most captivating moment in the book for me for it reminded me of the speeches leaders would give to their troops to motivate them before battle like Aragorn in front of the black gates, like Russel Crowe in Gladiator, and Jake Sully in Avatar when gathering all the Navi.
After finishing the poem, I had a good overall impression of it. There were several times throughout the book that really caught my attention, although they may be subtle to the actual plot of the book. First of all I would like to comment on the ending of the book, from line 3040 and on. This is were we start with the proceedings for Beowulf's death. I definitely admire how they honored him. To me it parallels current day when an extremely famous person dies before expected(ex. Michael Jackson, JFK, etc). I say this because they give heed to his last wishes, and tell them upon all the world, much as we would announce the final words of someone today. Then in line 3137 they describe his burning, much like you see in the 3rd part of lord of the rings with Ferromeir's father. This in my mind is the present day funeral procession, much like you would see if a fallen police officer in NYC.
ReplyDeleteFinally the last few lines of the poem( 3175-3182) feels exactly like something an United States Citizen would have said after the assassination of JFK.
Another instance where that was very interesting to me was that of line 680 and the description of Grendel. I feel that that only parts of the statement from 681-687 are true. It says that he does not know the art of war, this I totally disagree with as not only has he already killed, but he has animal instincts which is truly the most primitive form of war. I agree with the fact that neither will be armed, as they are simply in the hall expecting him to pay his normal visit. However I do not see how they could sit there without weapons knowing his strength and viscous nature. Finally if he is the beast that he is, I find it hard to believe that they would have the same god as Grendel so I believe that they should have said, " I pray to god that he favors our hands as we encounter this fierce-some foe".
ReplyDeleteAfter finishing Beowulf, I find that I really enjoyed the tale. People have mentioned that it's a simple tale about a hero, but I believe there's a great deal more hidden between the few poetic lines. The story is not just a story of a hero coming in to save the day. It's a story of a man's entire life work. We as the reader see Beowulf take a full transformation in his life from, vibrant young hero to an old King trying to hold onto his honor.
ReplyDelete"He was sad at heart, unsettled yet ready, sensing his death. His fate hovered near, unknowable but certain: it would soon claim his coffered soul." (p. 165, 2419-24220). Here we see Beowulf at his most vulnerable. He knows what he must to to help his people and yet he also doesn't believe he'll succeed. He understands and has come to terms with the idea that he no longer is invincible. This is a stark contrast to earlier in his life where he believed he could take on anything. From driving Grendel away from Heorot, to beheading Grendel's mother in lines 1570-1590, Beowulf had no fear. Yet now in his old age Beowulf understood how mortal he truly was.
I think the main thing that stood out to me in this poem is, that when you break it down, it's only the tale of someone's life. Yes when Beowulf was young he believed he could do anything, but don't we all? We all have our own Grendel's to fight, and in many cases we will defeat them. And when the time came, when Beowulf was at the end of his life, he came to a better understanding of himself. He knew his limits, and what he could/couldn't do. This is an event that we all will come to if we're lucky. So while Beowulf is a story about an epic hero, it's also a story about a man. He is human, not a god, a human and with that comes mortality. Yet Beowulf gives us hope, that maybe if we try hard enough, we can find immortality through story and song.
Beowulf is certainly an epic tale. Beowulf and Odysseus could have been brothers if the times were right. Of course the plot of the stories differ, but it is essentially the same story. Beowulf is a very short epic tale, but it is unique because it does not contain one large adventure, it contains Beowulf's life. To be an epic tale, and a good and true story, Beowulf has to bring more than just adventure to the table. I feel like there has to be a vague something-or-other that proves the story isn't just a mindless actionfest.
ReplyDeleteThe scene where the men that had accompanied Beowulf to the dragon's den fled for their lives stands out. The men stayed with Beowulf until his sword did very little damage to the dragon (2586), and the dragon redoubled its attack (2594). Instead of having faith in their leader, or going to his aid as they should have, they decided to save themselves and flee (2596). They must have never realized that if Beowulf died in battle, the dragon easily could have caught them and killed them too. Only Wiglaf remains, the one loyal soldier (2599). In fact without Wiglaf there to stun the dragon with a blow from his weapon, Beowulf would probably have died without killing the dragon. The all-powerful Beowulf needed help. Wiglaf stays with Beowulf until he passes on. After the battle with the dragon has ended, Wiglaf scolds all the men (2860). This was the scene in the story that had the most compassion to it, the one scene where the trouble is too great and leaves you thinking.
I remember reading this in High School and absolutely hating it, so I was not looking forward to reading it a second time. However, maybe it was because of the translation, or because of a amazing teacher who actually discussed the story with us, I found Beowulf to be a very quick read, and much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out most to me was how different the role of women was in Beowulf compared to The Odyssey. In The Odyssey, Penelope is always being told what to do by her son, which means she is mostly kept to her room with her attendants, while in Beowulf Wealhteow, Hrothgar's queen, attends the banquet, "Adorned in gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian, urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them, And he drank it down like the warlord he was, with festive cheer. So the Helming women went on her rounds, queenly and dignified, decked out in rings, offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troops" (612-623), she evens gives a short little speech in lines 1168-1186.
Also, the women, Wealhtheow and Hildeburh, being 'peace-weavers', was a really interesting concept to me. Hildeburh was the daughter of the Danes King and was married off to Finn, king of the Jutes, but peace doesn't last forever, and when the Danes attacked them, killing her brother and son, "Hildeburh has little cause to credit the Jutes: son and brother, she lost them both on the battlefield. She, bereft and blameless, they foredoomed, cut down and spear-gored. She a woman in shock, waylaid by grief, Hoc's daughter - how could she not lament her fate when morning came and light broke on her murdered dears" (1070-1078), she is the taken back by the Danes, "Over sea-lanes then back to Daneland the warrior troop bore that lady home" (1156-1158). Womens roles in past times have always really interested me, and I loved seeing the differences between the narrative works we've read so far!
The part of Beowulf that stuck out the most to me was the fact that even after being such a hero, he let everyone down at the end. He lived for glory his entire life, but what did that end him with? He will have a sweet memorial that his men built him, but was it even really worth it?
ReplyDeleteI think one of the reasons this stuck out to me so much was the fact that after his death, his men can’t even really morn or celebrate his life because they begin to realize the trouble that will follow since he did not leave the and heir. The messenger predicts this saying, “…they will cross our borders and attack in force when they find out that Beowulf is dead,” (lines 3001-3002). He kept them safe while he was alive, but he was too focused on his own fame and glory to even think about the future. His ego did not allow him to think about the reality that in time he would die and he would need to have someone to take care of the Geats for him until it was too late. He frustrates me in this regard because I feel like he failed the people he had spent his entire life defending. In the end, he left them on their own to deal with, “many a spear dawn-cold to the touch” (lines 3021-3022).
For me, like others, this was my second time reading Beowulf. The first time was, I think, my freshman or Sophomore year of High school and I remember talking about it a lot but I could hardly remember the details of the story line. When I found out we would be reading it I was excited because all I could remember was the fight between Beowulf and Grendel. After reading this book a second time, I think this fight between Beowulf and Grendel will still be what sticks in my mind.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest things I think of, now, when I think of this crazy fight between Beowulf and Grendel is Beowulf’s confidence. On page 31 Beowulf is first talking to Hrothgar and telling him why he has come there and at one point he says, “I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac’s fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the feind.” I find it incredibly stupid that he thinks he can beat a crazy, angry monster with only his bare hands, but then again he DID swim in the ocean for five days.
The second part of what I call ‘the fight’ between these two that will really stick with me is the actual scene itself. On page 51 is where it starts, “Venturing closer, his talon was raised to attack Beowulf where he lay on the bed...”(Line744-746), “The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth” (Line 749-752). Here we see Grendel realizing that maybe he has met his match at last. “He was desperate to flee to his den and hide…” (line754). We see them fighting onto page 53 where “the pair struggled” (line775), and then we see Grendel scream out of frustration. Then Beowulf rips off Grendel’s arm and Grendel runs away knowing his days are numbered (Page 55, lines 814-827)
I just find this whole scene incredibly interesting. I think the craziness of it is what makes it stick in my mind and I have to say that I would read the book again.
Scott Evenson
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading Beowulf fully for the first time. In high school I had the portions about Grendel and the dragon separately so reading them consecutively gave me a deeper understanding of Beowulf’s character. He is confident when he is young and we see that he is still confident in his (90s?) later years on lines 2510-2520. “Now I am old, but as king of the people I shall pursue this fight for the glory of winning.”
A scene that stuck with me is when Beowulf is dying on lines 2730-2750. He goes over how he was pretty good throughout his life and it seems like he is satisfied. It reminded me of when movies will have a monologue by a character on their deathbed like Darth Vader’s speech to Luke in Star Wars or Boromir’s to Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings movie. I liked it because he speaks of his regret of not having an heir to live on. Most of the time Beowulf is happy about his accomplishments, but this is one time when he feels like he is lacking something. Other than that he has lived a righteous life being more powerful than neighboring clans, not murdering his kinsman, and performing epic feats. I like that he wants to be remembered and has acted as a good person during his life and didn’t take advantage of the power that he had.
I guess this section of the poem impacted me mostly because deathbed monologues and epiphanies are used in movies and books today. It made the book easier to relate to. I didn’t feel like I was reading an ancient story in terms of the style of writing.
This is my second time reading Beowulf. However, this time I felt a lot different about the book. This translation is a lot easier to follow. The first time I read it was in junior high school and it was very dry and complicated to follow.
ReplyDeleteAs Crystal said in class the Christians had just come into the picture and they were the ones trying to translate this novel. However Beowulf is written during peagon times, so christians of course wrote in part of their religion into the epic novel. I myself am a christian and how they weaved christian values into a peagan story really struck me. Some lines and phrases that stuck out with me were on page 115 line 1682 grendel is refered to as a "god-cursed fiend," there are quite a few phrases where they attach god to descriptions. On page 107 (lines 1550-1556) "The son of Ecgtheow would have surely perished and the Geats lost their warrior under the wide earth had the strong links nad locks of his war-gear not helped to save him: holy god decided the victory. It was easy for the Lord, the ruler of the high heaven, to redress the balance once Beowulf got back up on his feet." They put a lot of emphasis on god making the decisions as to if they won or lost and how their life was. This is true of christian values today, people put things in "gods hands" and trust in god to protect them and things like that.
Overall the book was interesting. I liked the translation because it was a lot easier to follow the story and actually enjoy it. I dont think I would read the book again, but I would recommend it to others to read.
The one thing that sticks out the most to me is how selfish Beowulf is. He spends his life trying to gain glory and does not care about how his actions will affect other people. He goes off to fight Grendel without thinking about how it will affect those he loves waiting at home. He goes to fight the dragon even though he knows that he may leave his kingdom without a king. He thinks nothing of how they will be affected by his rash decision. His only concern is with being remember for being brave and strong. Seriously? It just sounds stupid to me, not strong. He is a selfish, rash, irritating man who cares about no one but himself and everyone praises him. That is the part of the book that I cannot understand.
ReplyDeleteMy overall view of the poem is satisfactory. It's an interesting tale containing a few good battles and the necessary closure in the end. When I think back through the book the topic that comes to mind is the character Grendal. He is a descendant of Cain as shown on line 100 "A fiend out of hell, began to work his evil in the world. Grendal was the name of this grim demon haunting the marches, marauding round the heath and the desolate fens; he had dwelt for a time in misery among the banished monsters, Cain's clan, whom the Creator had outlawed and condemned as outcasts." I really appreciate Bible references so that could be the reason for my interest in this character. I also like the reason the book gives for his hatred and grief. Since he is a descendant of Cain he hates hearing of the Lord and I think that would be accurate to Cain's character. Line 86 "Then a powerful demon, a prowler through the dark, nursed a hard grievance. It harrowed him to hear the din of the loud banquet every day in the hall, the harp being struck and the clear song of a skilled poet telling with mastery of man's beginnings, how the Almighty had made the earth a gleaming plain girdled with waters;" Hearing the story of Creation and praise to the lord was torture to him, so he raised havoc on the mead-hall, the source of the noise. I think that if I was outcast from my home, I wouldn't want to hear about the amazing things done by the one who cast me out either. I guess I just appreciate the thought put into the reasoning for Grendal's hatred and how it is Biblically referenced.
ReplyDeleteAgh! I was so focussed on this paper that I completely forgot I had to repost this. I am on campus and leaving straight from here for break, so I don't have my copy of Beowulf (and won't for a week) so I'm going to have to post just from memory.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Beowulf felt incredibly similar to The Odyssey. They are both poems that tell what are arguably epic stories, although they were written over a thousand years apart. Still, they are both incredibly old and have since been translated time and time again, which, in my opinion, gave them both a somewhat disjointed quality.
The element that really stuck with me when comparing the two, however, was the difference in the religious presence in each book. The Odyssey relied heavily on the presence of Gods and Goddesses, other lores and widely-accepted beliefs. Beowulf, however, had very little of any of these things. As we discussed in class, it was written - or at least transcribed - in that strange transitional period between the Norse Gods & beliefs and those of Christianity. Even so, there was very little mention of either of these religions in Beowulf. One might expect an overlap or conflicting mentions of Norse Gods and the Christian God, but there was very little to be seen of either.