I thought that Beowulf's death was a good way to end the story. I was happy with how he died because he died doing what he felt he was most suited. He felt as though his duty as a warrior and a king was to protect his people. If I were a king and I were Beowulf in the story, that is how I would want to die. The story wouldn't have been good if it hadn't have ended with a new beginning. By Beowulf dying, I gives the story some depth and leaves you thinking after you are finished reading it. The ending let Beowulf die doing what he believed was his duty and let him die more like a man. "The sad troops rose,went in tears below Earnanessto view the wonder. Lifeless on the sand, held in his rest-bed, was the man who had given them treasures. That was the last day of the prince of the Geats; he died a wondrous death."I am happy that the story did not end with Beowulf dying a shriveled old man in his bed. This was is better because it showed that no matter his age Beowulf was always ready to protect and he never changed as a person.
Beowulf dying at the end also helped bring closure to Beowulf's life and his reign as leader. The part where his warriors prepare his funeral and his mound overlooking the sea showed the respect that he earned among his people. This I think helps shape who Beowulf was and what all he achieved in his life. I like that he was the same in his youth as in his old age whereas he always acted immediately where help was needed. As a young warrior he fought Grendel and his mother with much bravery, in his old age he fought the dragon that threatened his people in the same way. Regardless of his age, he fought alone and to the death. Beowulf's death is what I would have hoped for him, myself if I were a king, and as an ending to the story. I believe that a great warrior just wouldn't die happy if he didn't die in glory. Beowulf died in glory trying to protect his people and probably died feeling fulfilled, like a great warrior.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Beowulf-Superhero Comparison
The story of Beowulf has some similarities to superhero stories in the American culture. What I noticed was most in common with the hero stories in our culture were the characteristics of the heroes themselves. All superheroes in the American culture are selfless and brave, Beowulf is of course selfless and brave. However, what I found that was most common was that the characters all risk their own lives first. Before the heroes put anyone else at risk they will fight alone to protect others. For example, Beowulf is always fighting some kind of monster to protect his people like Grendel, his mother, and the dragon. All of these monsters were terrorizing his people and he fought them to protect the people from harm. Beowulf and the heroes all have loyalty to their people and their first priority is to protect them. Beowulf and superheroes all share these common characteristics and goals. They want to protect their people against the bad guys.
Although Beowulf and superheroes from our culture are similar in nature and have the same goals, they are different in the way they present themselves. For example, Beowulf is a well known warrior and later becomes a king. In the story they present themselves to the Danish warrior and they are wearing their armor. "Then a proud Danish warrior asked them: 'From where have you carried these gold-inlaid shields, these shirts of mail, masked helmets, and battle shafts? I am Hrothgar's messenger and officer. Never have I seen braver strangers. I expect you're here to find adventure, not asylum.'" The soldiers and Beowulf did not hide their identities, they just wore what was necessary to protect themselves in battle. American superheroes such as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman are all like undercover protectors. In Spiderman for example, his makes his spandex suit to hide his identity. In the movie, the reason that he puts on the suit is to avoid people knowing his true identity. Spiderman especially didn't want his enemies to know who he was because they would come after the people that he loved. In the movie, Spiderman's identity gets revealed to the Green Goblin who then attacks Spiderman's aunt and takes Mary Jane. Therefore, Spiderman's identity is kept secret for his and his loved one's protection. The people know Spiderman is but not the real man behind the mask. Beowulf does not present himself in this manner. When Beowulf wants to help he goes to the king or straight to the monster itself to defeat them. Beowulf never wore a mask and never tried to cover his identity. For some reason, the superheroes in our culture like to hide their faces when they are protecting people to protect themselves. Beowulf however is very open about his identity, not afraid of his enemies coming after loved ones because he is confident that he will defeat them.
Although Beowulf and superheroes from our culture are similar in nature and have the same goals, they are different in the way they present themselves. For example, Beowulf is a well known warrior and later becomes a king. In the story they present themselves to the Danish warrior and they are wearing their armor. "Then a proud Danish warrior asked them: 'From where have you carried these gold-inlaid shields, these shirts of mail, masked helmets, and battle shafts? I am Hrothgar's messenger and officer. Never have I seen braver strangers. I expect you're here to find adventure, not asylum.'" The soldiers and Beowulf did not hide their identities, they just wore what was necessary to protect themselves in battle. American superheroes such as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman are all like undercover protectors. In Spiderman for example, his makes his spandex suit to hide his identity. In the movie, the reason that he puts on the suit is to avoid people knowing his true identity. Spiderman especially didn't want his enemies to know who he was because they would come after the people that he loved. In the movie, Spiderman's identity gets revealed to the Green Goblin who then attacks Spiderman's aunt and takes Mary Jane. Therefore, Spiderman's identity is kept secret for his and his loved one's protection. The people know Spiderman is but not the real man behind the mask. Beowulf does not present himself in this manner. When Beowulf wants to help he goes to the king or straight to the monster itself to defeat them. Beowulf never wore a mask and never tried to cover his identity. For some reason, the superheroes in our culture like to hide their faces when they are protecting people to protect themselves. Beowulf however is very open about his identity, not afraid of his enemies coming after loved ones because he is confident that he will defeat them.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Anglo-Saxon beliefs
The Anglo-Saxon culture held protection of it's people and it's allies very important. This culture focused on having great warriors that were loyal to their king, heritage, people, and country. Loyalty was important because it was what made warriors want to defend their home. As long as warriors were loyal to their country and everything in it, all was secure. Beowulf illustrates the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons in many aspects.
Protection was probably the most important thing in Anglo-Saxon culture. All other essentials of importance came underneath the protection of their country. This was demonstrated in the story when Beowulf left even in his old age to fight a dragon that was terrorizing his people. "Beowulf scorned a host, a large army, when he sought the dragon; he didn't fear the dragon's war; he trusted his strength and courage since he had survived many battles, the flashings of battle gleams, since the time he'd cleared Hrothgar's wine-hall of Grendel's family, that hateful race." Beowulf was ready for anything dispite his age. He protected his people no matter what. He was their king and that was his duty. He protected his people and put his own life in danger before anyone. He even put his own life first even when it came to his own warriors, who's sole occupation is is to risk their lives to protect. Beowulf tries to fight on his own first so that if he can win a battle on his own no other lives will be lost.
The second most important thing to the Anglo-Saxons underneath protection was loyalty. Loyalty comes from a love of something. A person would not have true loyalty of to something if this person did not care for it. If a warrior did have loyalty to his king, country, or his people, he would have no desire to protect it. Beowulf fights the dragon to protect his people because he loves and cares for the Geats. He defends and fights for them because of his loyalty to the people. Beowulf does the same for people who live across an ocean to help. In the story it says, "But a warrior of Hygelac's heard of Grendel's doings; he was the strongest of men alive in that day, mighty and noble. That man called for a ship, said he would cross the ocean and help the king who needed help. Wise men urged him to that adventure though he was dear to them. They examined omens and whetted him on." He crosses and ocean to defend a people and king that are not even his own. Beowulf shows loyalty to the king of Danes because he is an ally. He fights Grendel and his mother to protect the king and his people from the monster's terror. Loyalty is a crucial factor in the desire to protect.
Loyalty is what, in Anglo-Saxon perspective, made a warrior great. It was the emotion inside him that drove him to do the great things he did. Had not a warrior loyalty for for his king and country he would be a poor warrior. Warriors have to have a passion for what they are fighting for. This works in the same way for kings and their people as well as people for their kings. Beowulf shows how loyal he was to his people when he fights and kills a terrible dragon, dying to protect his people and warriors. The warriors were not very loyal to Beowulf in return and abandoned their king in his time of need. This story teaches the importance of loyalty and the repercussions of not being loyal to your word. These men suffered the death of their great protector as a consequence if their actions. They lost the king that they loved as a result of their broken promises to protect and fight beside him. Beowulf is a story that outlines the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons and the repercussions of what could happen if these morals are ignored. The Geat people learned these lessons in the loss of their great king who did so much trying to protect them.
Protection was probably the most important thing in Anglo-Saxon culture. All other essentials of importance came underneath the protection of their country. This was demonstrated in the story when Beowulf left even in his old age to fight a dragon that was terrorizing his people. "Beowulf scorned a host, a large army, when he sought the dragon; he didn't fear the dragon's war; he trusted his strength and courage since he had survived many battles, the flashings of battle gleams, since the time he'd cleared Hrothgar's wine-hall of Grendel's family, that hateful race." Beowulf was ready for anything dispite his age. He protected his people no matter what. He was their king and that was his duty. He protected his people and put his own life in danger before anyone. He even put his own life first even when it came to his own warriors, who's sole occupation is is to risk their lives to protect. Beowulf tries to fight on his own first so that if he can win a battle on his own no other lives will be lost.
The second most important thing to the Anglo-Saxons underneath protection was loyalty. Loyalty comes from a love of something. A person would not have true loyalty of to something if this person did not care for it. If a warrior did have loyalty to his king, country, or his people, he would have no desire to protect it. Beowulf fights the dragon to protect his people because he loves and cares for the Geats. He defends and fights for them because of his loyalty to the people. Beowulf does the same for people who live across an ocean to help. In the story it says, "But a warrior of Hygelac's heard of Grendel's doings; he was the strongest of men alive in that day, mighty and noble. That man called for a ship, said he would cross the ocean and help the king who needed help. Wise men urged him to that adventure though he was dear to them. They examined omens and whetted him on." He crosses and ocean to defend a people and king that are not even his own. Beowulf shows loyalty to the king of Danes because he is an ally. He fights Grendel and his mother to protect the king and his people from the monster's terror. Loyalty is a crucial factor in the desire to protect.
Loyalty is what, in Anglo-Saxon perspective, made a warrior great. It was the emotion inside him that drove him to do the great things he did. Had not a warrior loyalty for for his king and country he would be a poor warrior. Warriors have to have a passion for what they are fighting for. This works in the same way for kings and their people as well as people for their kings. Beowulf shows how loyal he was to his people when he fights and kills a terrible dragon, dying to protect his people and warriors. The warriors were not very loyal to Beowulf in return and abandoned their king in his time of need. This story teaches the importance of loyalty and the repercussions of not being loyal to your word. These men suffered the death of their great protector as a consequence if their actions. They lost the king that they loved as a result of their broken promises to protect and fight beside him. Beowulf is a story that outlines the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons and the repercussions of what could happen if these morals are ignored. The Geat people learned these lessons in the loss of their great king who did so much trying to protect them.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Beowulf
Response
In the twelve episodes of Beowulf, I thought that the story was going to be a big poem of boring battle tales. On the contrary, I found the story to be interesting because it tells of a good honest king who worked hard to earn his title and maintain his title as king. Beowulf actually defended his people as a king, leader and protector of his people, and put his own life before anyone else's. He was always prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of his own life to defend his people and those of his allies. I was interested in the story because it is different than those of kings "defending" their countries by sitting on their throne. This was a king who was a warrior and had lived the life of a man, not a spoiled royal.
The parts of the story that stuck out to me the most were when Beowulf triumphed in his battles. In the battle with Grendel, I admired how Beowulf says that he will fight Grendel with his strength and not with his sword do that there will be a battle of strength between himself and Grendel. The reason that this part stuck out to me was because he was not a coward in his battles, he was sure of himself and his main interest was always to protect the people. In the battle with Grendel's mother and the dragon he demonstrates his care for his people by going to fight them in the first place. He demonstrates his desire to protect by always being the first to put his life on the line for his people and his warriors. He was a good king, interested in the well being of his people by his generosity of gifts to the people and those who fought, and his generosity in the respect of his sacrifices. This story to me was a story of a man who truly earned his title and position as a king, not by blood or ancestry, but by his deeds.
The Anglo-Saxon culture seems to be one unique to that of others in the sense that they concentrate on the protection of their people and good kings that participate in the protection and well being of their country. They emphasized what they thought of Beowulf by the writing of the poem. They were proud of the king that they had and were focused on his deeds as a warrior. They paid close attention to his deeds and keeping his alliances in good relations. For example, Beowulf crosses a sea and risks his life and his warriors for another king primarily because the Danish king was his ally.
The Anglo-Saxons also seemed to emphasize a great importance on the memorials and funeral process of kings and warriors. The importance of the funerals of kings and warriors ties in with their beliefs and what they hold high in their morals. They hold protection and loyalty with the utmost importance in their culture. Therefore it makes sense that the funerals and deaths of the men who carried out these morals would be treated with high respect. The people would want to treat the men who protected them, their country, and their king with loyalty and respect just as the warriors had done for them. Like when Beowulf dies, his men treat him and his funeral by respecting his last wishes to the exact word and made sure that it was done right. As all good kings that are mentioned in the story, the people send their "high protector" in his death ship full of riches to his next life. This indicates that while they held protection and loyalty high, the protectors were held in the same respect.
In the twelve episodes of Beowulf, I thought that the story was going to be a big poem of boring battle tales. On the contrary, I found the story to be interesting because it tells of a good honest king who worked hard to earn his title and maintain his title as king. Beowulf actually defended his people as a king, leader and protector of his people, and put his own life before anyone else's. He was always prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of his own life to defend his people and those of his allies. I was interested in the story because it is different than those of kings "defending" their countries by sitting on their throne. This was a king who was a warrior and had lived the life of a man, not a spoiled royal.
The parts of the story that stuck out to me the most were when Beowulf triumphed in his battles. In the battle with Grendel, I admired how Beowulf says that he will fight Grendel with his strength and not with his sword do that there will be a battle of strength between himself and Grendel. The reason that this part stuck out to me was because he was not a coward in his battles, he was sure of himself and his main interest was always to protect the people. In the battle with Grendel's mother and the dragon he demonstrates his care for his people by going to fight them in the first place. He demonstrates his desire to protect by always being the first to put his life on the line for his people and his warriors. He was a good king, interested in the well being of his people by his generosity of gifts to the people and those who fought, and his generosity in the respect of his sacrifices. This story to me was a story of a man who truly earned his title and position as a king, not by blood or ancestry, but by his deeds.
The Anglo-Saxon culture seems to be one unique to that of others in the sense that they concentrate on the protection of their people and good kings that participate in the protection and well being of their country. They emphasized what they thought of Beowulf by the writing of the poem. They were proud of the king that they had and were focused on his deeds as a warrior. They paid close attention to his deeds and keeping his alliances in good relations. For example, Beowulf crosses a sea and risks his life and his warriors for another king primarily because the Danish king was his ally.
The Anglo-Saxons also seemed to emphasize a great importance on the memorials and funeral process of kings and warriors. The importance of the funerals of kings and warriors ties in with their beliefs and what they hold high in their morals. They hold protection and loyalty with the utmost importance in their culture. Therefore it makes sense that the funerals and deaths of the men who carried out these morals would be treated with high respect. The people would want to treat the men who protected them, their country, and their king with loyalty and respect just as the warriors had done for them. Like when Beowulf dies, his men treat him and his funeral by respecting his last wishes to the exact word and made sure that it was done right. As all good kings that are mentioned in the story, the people send their "high protector" in his death ship full of riches to his next life. This indicates that while they held protection and loyalty high, the protectors were held in the same respect.
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