AP English Language Period 5: The "Best of All" Intellectual Risk-Takers!

Saturday, September 08, 2007

The "Best of All" Intellectual Risk-Takers!

College application forms typically ask teachers, “Is this student academically curious?” This question is an important one to me because I know I can never cover all of the material I want to share with students in a single school year, and I value the intellectual risk-taking some students pursue beyond my required assignments.

As we say farewell to Beowulf this semester, I’m feeling bereft of time to share with you so much more about this classic epic poem. But I’m hoping I’ve sparked some passion toward stories of archetypal heroes, connections to modern heroes, and an authentic definition of heroism.

So ignite your sense of wonder! Continue your quest to discover more about Beowulf and related topics. Share your discoveries with links to sites, pictures, articles or any other information related to Beowulf that enhances your appreciation of this timeless story and a clearer understanding of your own epic journey. Finally, be sure to explain the value of the connections you share so you become the "best of all" intellectual risk-takers!

34 Comments:

One aspect of Beowulf I enjoyed was the beauty of this true hero. I love stories that illustrate the hero's journey, such as Beowulf and others. In my search, I have found two different websites. The first ( http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=587 ) focuses on epic poetry and the epic hero cycle. This website also shares a list of other epic heroes who follow a cycle or story similar to Beowulf's.
The second (http://ias.berkeley.edu/orias/hero/index.htm ) gives a great veiw of the archetypal hero's journey and shows a graphic of it in a cycle and shared information about each step in the journey that eventually comes full circle.
I enjoyed comparing the two websites and the two similar but not identical cycles or journeys.

By ChristineT, at September 10, 2007 5:21 PM
Numbers 14 and 15 on the original sheet of questions posed by 1st Hour students wonder why Beowulf never became attached to a woman and carried on his legacy through a son. I believe that the answer lies in this picture:

http://images.allposters.com/images/eur/2400-4570.jpg

Beowulf must stand alone in order to be a hero because the very nature of traditional heroism is that the hero is greater than the others through some act of his own. If Beowulf had a family, then his heroism would not be the dramatic portrayal that it must be, that of a lone ranger. During the Columbine shootings, the boys asked at least one girl (possibly Cassie Bernall) whether she believed in God and she answered yes, at which point they killed her. The thing that made her a hero was that she stood alone and apart from the rest and answered truthfully.

Our society needs a hero to admire and idealize and in order to take the burden of being that hero off of their own shoulders, they place the hero in a superhuman existence and remove his connection to normal human behavior. In this way, they have their hero but don’t feel any need to be a hero.

If the story at some point portrayed Beowulf with a family, it was removed because the ideal hero must stand completely alone and apart. In some aspects, this requirement continues to destroy potential present-day heroes.

By Lauren H., at September 10, 2007 5:45 PM
I found these sites when searching for the specific components that make up a hero-journey story. The first two sites explain each element in detail, while the third also provides examples from "Star Wars" and "The Matrix". I think examples are helpful, because they allow you to recognize and eventually, on your own, identify each of the phases of the protagonist's quest towards his goal. My sophomore English class studied the hero-journey outline as we read Siddhartha, and it really helped to have actual illustrations of each aspect of the outline right in front of me as I read.

http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html

http://www.mythichero.com/what_is_mythology.htm

http://www.spookybug.com/origins/myth.html

By Anonymous, at September 11, 2007 12:55 PM
Another thing I've been thinking about in relation to Beowulf is the passage we received from Grendel, and the fight scene in which Grendel throws apples at Unferth. I think John Gardner may have used apples as a symbol for knowledge and wisdom, and Grendel throwing them at Unferth represents Grendel's own refusal to accept the values and philosophies of the Danes, or believe that they have any worldly significance. He sees their "heroic" actions as useless, and consequently tosses away his chances of understanding for a life in which he can find no meaning.

By Anonymous, at September 11, 2007 1:21 PM
I found these websites (and there are many more) that compare the plot of Harry Potter to that of Beowulf. These articles compare various characters, events, and settings within the stories. Heroic code seems to be very present within both works and very similar themes are adressed. The articles are interesting reads and make me consider Rowling's intent in writting Harry Potter. It makes me think that her purpose may have been to sneakily share the story of Beowulf with thousands of readers that would never dare pick up such an ancient story. If this was her motive, it was quite an ingenious idea. Thousands of readers have read through Rowling's novels faithfully and have experienced a form of Beowulf unlike the original story. Check out these articles and have your perspectives broadened on the possible foundations of the Harry Potter story.

http://www.leakylounge.com/lofiversion/index.php/t15330.html

http://www.connieneal.com/casey_neal.htm

By Megan, at September 12, 2007 7:42 PM
Although unusual, the image that repeatedly occurred to me throughout the poem Beowulf was the image of a huge rock. I know that it sounds crazy, but here is my logic.

1)A rock will stand for thousands of years, completely immovable, yet can be easily destroyed by humans as it weakens from the elements. Beowulf was a strong, sturdy rock, immovable, the “Best-of-all” Warriors. He had to grow old though, and weakened over time.

2)In the image of the rock that I found, the rock seems to be about to fall. Beowulf was always so confident, I found myself wondering if he would ever fall.

3)The rock is completely alone. No one else could even compare to Beowulf, he was completely unlike the rest of the warriors. I found myself very confused, because he seemed almost inhuman. The fight with the dragon, however, proved how human he was.

Here is the link to the image: http://www.cepolina.com/freephoto/vb/big.stone2.Mamallapuram.Krishna.butter.ball.balance-stone.htm

(SORRY IT’S SO LONG)

By Hannah, at September 13, 2007 8:58 AM
For my blog entry, I chose to illustrate a thematic link I found between Beowulf and another poem (of sorts) I read over the summer. These connections are a bit too weak and “out there” to make it into an essay, but they fascinated me, so I thought this would be the perfect forum in which I could share them.

This summer while I was reading Beowulf, I also read Dante’s The Inferno. I noticed, perhaps entirely coincidentally, several commonalities.
The most prominent of these, and the one I have chosen to share, is the theme that “so you have sinned, so you will be punished.” In Beowulf, this idea presents itself toward the beginning, when the epic hero is defending himself against Unferth:

…yet you have killed your own brothers, your nearest kin. For that you shall suffer the horrors of hell, though your wit be sharp. I therefore say to you truly, son of Ecglaf, that never would Grendel, that gruesome monster, have taken such a toll on your lord and men, humiliating Heorot, if your spirit were so fierce as you suppose yourself. (587-594).

To me, this passage illustrates an idea deeper than ‘if the Danes were as skilled fighters as they assumed themselves to be, they would’ve been able to kill Grendel by now’. Instead, I think it could mean that the reason Grendel is attacking Heorot to begin with is because the Danes are kin-slayers. The monster Grendel is a descendant of Cain – a figure in Christianity well-known for killing his brother. It makes sense, then, that a demonic “Cain-monster” would torment people who have committed his patron sin.
In Dante’s The Inferno, the idea of ‘may the punishment fit the crime’ is perhaps the most blatant and prevalent theme throughout the work. In each circle of Hell illustrated by the poet, the torment the souls in that circle endure is closely linked to the moral sin they committed most while alive. For instance, in the 6th circle of Hell, “[the poets Dante and Virgil] find a countryside like a vast cemetery. Tombs of every size stretch out before them, each with its lid lying beside it, and each wrapped in flames. Cries of anguish sound endlessly from the entombed dead. This is the torment of the heretics of every cult. By Heretic, Dante means specifically those who did violence to God by denying immortality. Since they taught that the soul dies with the body, so their punishment is an eternal grave in the fiery morgue of God’s wrath.” (Ciardi).

By Unknown, at September 13, 2007 6:59 PM
While searching for certain articles or pictures that I could possibly relate back to Beowulf I came across a very emotional a saddening story. As all of you know Virginia Tech University was attacked and many of you may have heard of the 76 year old professor by the name of Liviu Librescu who heroically blocked the door to his classroom from the gunman and allowed for those last couple students to leap from the building.
Beowulf and his constant bravery in fighting Grendel and his mother for people he did not need to help to sacrificing his body for the good of his people compares to Liviu. Liviu was a holocaust survivor who fought his way through the concentration camps and so many other obstacles before reaching that final decision were he sacrificed his life for all of his students. The comparison is so similar that I find it amazing that a real life person is so brave that he matches up with one of the most famous epic hero’s of all time.
If you want to learn more about this man here is just one of the many links.

http://www.roanoke.com/vtvictims/wb/113497
Hot link didn't work

By Unknown, at September 14, 2007 9:40 AM
This comment has been removed by the author.

By Thomas_N, at September 16, 2007 3:19 PM
I read the article “A Hero’s Journey” by Alan Jenkins and I would say that for the most part it pertains to the classical hero. Jenkins talks about how in the first movie, Spiderman doesn’t use his powers for the good of others but instead for himself. Even though this may not sound like something Beowulf would do it still shows the pride and arrogance that every hero must endure within themselves. Spiderman is shown to improve and constantly learn a new lesson in every movie. Beowulf learns something new every time he fights a new monster. When Beowulf fights Grendel the reader does not know for sure whether Beowulf is fighting to help others or whether he is trying to prove something to himself. Both Beowulf and Spiderman learned that their actions can cause bad things to happen that they must learn to deal with. The article states that when Spiderman fails to stop the thief that robbed him and he used his powers to help out himself, his uncle was killed as a consequence. This same type of example is seen in Beowulf when he first fights Grendel. He was victorious but, as a result Grendel’s mother attacked and killed people. By reading this article I can see how the story of Beowulf has affected the way that every heroic story has been told since. The classical heroic story isn’t only seen in Spiderman but also in many other modern heroic movies and novels. When I was reading the epic poem I thought it was simple and not very significant but now I realize that it has been the foundation for virtually every superhero and heroic story that I have encountered.

By Thomas_N, at September 16, 2007 3:22 PM
One aspect of stories we have discussed in class is the importance of perspective. “Whether you call someone a hero or a monster is all relative to where the focus of your consciousness may be” (“The Power of Myth”). While searching for an article or picture that relates to Beowulf, I found a website with a slightly strange modern retelling of Beowulf. In the article, Beowulf, Hrothgar, and all of the other Geats/Danes are seen from the prospective of the poor, non-warrior people they conquered and ruled. This different perspective casts a darker, more negative light on the “good guys” from Beowulf. Beowulf, Hrothgar, and the other "good guys" are portrayed as leaders of a gang that takes over New York and eventually America. I thought this story was interesting because the Beowulf character still fights an evil Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon (the robot), but Beowulf himself is portrayed as a glory-seeking gang leader guilty of hubris and not very good to the people who are not a part of his gang. The story is a little weird, but it was really interesting to see the bad side of Beowulf.

By Unknown, at September 16, 2007 3:45 PM
In class, we have had many discussions on the heroism of Beowulf, however I believe Beowulf, is not a “hero” in a sense, but he is a “superhero.” Today, a hero would be described as an average person who commits him/herself to something greater. Some of these brave men and women even give their lives to their cause; this earns them well-deserved honor and respect. A superhero is this and more. Wikipedia defines a superhero as a “fictional character of unprecedented, physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do (bravery) in the public interest.” Nevertheless, fictional characters with “superpowers” have always received more admiration. Beowulf, is the perfect representation of a superhero; he believes in his strength and his ability to save Herothgar’s people. He says “[I will] bear a sword or broad shield, yellow-rim to war, but I with my grip shall fight with this fiend and over life strive, enemy against enemy…”(lines 436-440). The character Beowulf was well known in his community, just as an archetypal hero is well known today. People idealize fiction, because it is just that, fiction. An author can invent or write about anything as long as it satisfies the audience need for romantic ideas and desires for conquerable situations. The author of Beowulf includes both of these components in the portrayal of his superhero; this is why the poem is probably as distinguished now, as it was when it was written. Although, it is impossible for superheroes to really receive our admiration, they do “save the world” so in a way I guess they earn it.

Here are two links that that describe the typical hero:
http://home.att.net/~t.deangelo/Our_Hero.htm
and the typical superhero
http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/2007/01/29/comics-in-context-162-the-superhero-defined\

By Emilee P, at September 16, 2007 4:51 PM
When we read "The Man in the Water" it reminded me of an episode of Max X (Maximum Exposure) that I had seen years earlier. I wondered if the footage of that plane crash was in fact the same plane crash that the article describes. I was unable to find the actual Max X episode since the show has since been canceled. However, I did find a segment that National Geographic did on the crash, 1982 Plane Crash into the Potomac River Washington DC Part II.
I wish I could have found the original Max X episode (called "Rescue Me!") because it did not use reenactments as National Geographic coverage does.

By Andie R, at September 16, 2007 5:25 PM
A general and somewhat simplistic idea has been in my head for quite some time now, and it applies to almost all of literature, and especially Beowulf: the relationship between the hero and villain. All heroes depend upon their villains whether they are a natural disaster, a fantastic monster, an evil magician, or even themselves, because the villain makes them who they are, and vice versa. Who would Harry Potter be without a lord Voldemort? Or the Fellowship without the Ring? Stories would be uninteresting, uninspiring, and most of all, aimless.

In the article I am directing you to “Evil Twins? The Role of the Monsters in Beowulf” by Alexander M. Bruce, explores the relationship between Beowulf, Grendel and the dragon in a surprisingly thorough manner. The first thing to fly into your mind will be the old saying: “two sides of the same coin.” (Though it will not be entirely accurate as there are indeed two monsters, one hero, and only two sides to a coin.) It draws many interesting parallels and talks about the way the poet tended to say “both/and” instead of “either/or,” and the way that expressed no clear sides and a dark and light element in us all.
-Annie Hathaway

By Muse, at September 16, 2007 6:06 PM
As a reader, my favorite aspect of Beowulf is the fact that the epic poem can be interpreted in so many ways. The writing style of Seamus Heaney in my version of the text provided vivid images of the characters as well as what those images may represent. The website The Monsters and the Hero provides images along with rhetorical explanation for the major points in the poem. The reason why this particular website caught my eye was that the combination of textual examples and analysis made for very easy comprehension of the foundation for the scenes in Beowulf. The site has at least one image for each section which also helps to fully understand the complication that is Beowulf. In addition, the site has a section which takes the time to define “hero” and explain how this ancient aspect of heroism motivated Beowulf in his quest to defeat Grendel. Overall, I found this site to be very interesting and after viewing, I look at the epic poem with an entirely new frame of mind.

Sorry if the link does not work. The italics were not working either! The website is http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/eliot/722/Monsters.htm

By Ryanp, at September 16, 2007 6:27 PM
After reading some of the other comments on modern heroism and how it compares to the heroism in Beowulf, I was reminded of a news story I heard about earlier this year. It is much like Andie's "Man in the Water" article. Many of you will remember this, but I was just so intrigued by this heroic display that I wanted to share it. The article is about a man in New York who saved the life of a stranger that had collapsed and fallen onto the subway tracks. He was taking his two daughters home before going off to work, and made a split-second decision to save the fallen man or die trying. When the fictional story of Beowulf is compared to an everyday incident of heroism such as this, the epic poem seems much less significant. The types of heroism in each situation are obviously very different, as are the consequences. Beowulf is fighting for pride and has nothing to lose. On the other hand, Mr. Autrey (the man in the article) risks dying in front of his two daughters for a complete stranger and leaving them fatherless. I'm not trying to de-value Beowulf, but it is interesting to compare real situations of heroism to fictional heroics.

Here is the website:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03life.html?ex=1325480400&en=bfb639ecfb906ab5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

By matt l, at September 16, 2007 6:46 PM
When we read Grendel for class, I was intrigued that John Gardner decided to include Unferth’s battle with Grendel and ultimately with himself. Here is some background information on Unferth and possible answers as to why Gardner included Unferth:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfer%C3%B0

I have also included an interview of The Paris Review with John Gardner, in which he shares some of his views on his novel, Grendel
http://www.parisreview.org/media/3394_GARDNER.pdf

By Christine B, at September 16, 2007 6:51 PM
I was searching for articles or works of art that I could somewhat relate back to Beowulf , but didn't have much luck. Instead I thought of some different jobs people have everyday that are considered heroic. The first one that came to mind and the most significant is the search and rescue workers. Those people go out on missions to find people knowing that they could also end up like the ones they are looking for. Beowulf was similar in one aspect knowing that every battle he entered there was a slight possibility that he would not come back alive. The search and rescue workers have a high chance of survival because there are so many of them but there is still a small percentage.
I did find one website on the after math of 9/11 and the heroes that risked their lives in seacrch of the missing. It displays pictures and has a few stories that I found in relation to Beowulf and the rescue heroes.
(live link didn't work for me)
http://www.mssm.edu/cpm/wtc_health/focus_claudio/

By lauren f., at September 16, 2007 7:49 PM
During my search for images related to Beowulf, I came across not only an image that is a fairly accurate visual for me, but also a film site for the movie Beowulf and Grendel Beowulf and Grendel.

The movie was filmed in Iceland, and shown mainly in Canada. On the website is a synopsis of the movie, and I was first intrigued by the adaptions made from the epic poem to the big screen. The most interesting shows a flaw in the famed hero; "...Beowulf, a victorious soldier in his own right, has become increasingly troubled by the hero-myth rising up around his exploits." None of the other works we have read for class have suggested a lack of heroism in Beowulf; they have only interpreted other characters, like Grendel, as heroes ("Evildoers"). Also develped for Beowulf and Grendel, is a romance between Beowulf and a witch.

Conversely, an interesting similarity between "Evildoers," "Grendel," and Beowulf and Grendel is the portrayal of Grendel as a misunderstood character. "Evildoers" and "Grendel" propose that Grendel is an outcast, and that he is actually afraid of the Danes - at first. The synopsis for Beowulf and Grendel says Grendel is "...driven by a vengeance from being wronged." The pieces do not dismiss Grendel's terror, but rather look deeper to find a relatable human quality in his evil character.

As I mentioned previously, I like the image from the film found at the top of the page because it doesn't seem too adapted or modern for publicity purposes, like the new version featuring Angelina Jolie.

By Abby M., at September 16, 2007 7:49 PM
One of my favorite aspects of Beowulf that we have focused on throughout this unit has been the empowering idea of language and tradition. Beowulf has been a classic story that was originally told and retold for generations before it was finally transcribed onto paper. I honestly believe that in order to interpret all aspects of this piece, one should hear it as it might have been told aloud. So, while searching the internet, I found a website of a man who retells the epic poem (I think in it's original old english form nonetheless) while playing a harp. The video takes a while to load, but it is absolutely worth the wait. The man (Benjamin Bagby)has a very good voice for retelling, and it is interesting to picture this same event happening many centuries ago. Enjoy!

http://www.bagbybeowulf.com/video/index.html

By jessica m, at September 16, 2007 7:49 PM
While reading Beowulf I wondered if Beowulf was an actual person, and if Beowulf was a true story. In class we demonstrated how something can change when passed on verbally by playing telephone. I wondered if maybe Beowulf started out as a history of a great king and turned into a legend. This sight shows some connections between history and Beowulf : Historical Legend in Beowulf . I think it’s interesting that some of what happened in the book might have actually happened. It also makes me wonder what the original story was. It is obvious that the person who wrote down the version that we read today was not the original story teller. It is also obvious that the writer changed many aspects of the original story, as we discussed in class. It’s interesting to think that the original story could have been a true story.

By mvancleef, at September 16, 2007 8:01 PM
I agree with Lauren H. that the hero must stand alone; it is portrayed that way in every hero story ever written. Once the hero has a family, there is more to sacrifice when going into battle, then just themselves.
I also have something to add to Megan’s blog. The reason it would be such an ingenious idea is the fact that although this specific book may not be interesting for an audience from the 21st century to pick up and read and fully understand, but the story is fully captivating and relatable for people of all ages.

On the hand out of questions from period one’s students, question number eight asks, “What actual physical form or species is Grendel?” I believe that the only thing we can know is that he is terrifying to all men except Beowulf, has much more strength than the average man, and is considered a monster in their eyes. You must let your imagination take over for a great deal that goes on in Beowulf, and for Grendel, we do not have any reference for how he may look to us today or anything to compare him to. That is why I think this picture/video (you must click on the picture to see the video) of Grendel does such a fantastic job of portraying what we do know of Grendel, and why he frightens so many. (Sorry, I tried to do the shortcut many times, but it didn't work.)

[http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.andrewsenior.com/gallery/electronica/grendel640.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.andrewsenior.com/gallery/electronica/grendel.html&h=480&w=640&sz=160&hl=en&start=20&tbnid=avx0Emf_UdMrwM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgrendel%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den]

We can never know the true physical form he takes, but when he comes at you, he is eerie, and dark/shadowy, and dangerous. The video I believe does an even better job showing how Grendel creeps up on you and then has suddenly taken control of you. When he first appears on the screen, you don’t really notice him, and then as the black break-up of the words begins to enlarge, and he starts to walk across the screen, you know there is something scary about this creature, although you do not know what he truly looks like. As he walks closer and the music intensifies, my skin began to crawl ever so slightly, and as the hand comes at you and the music is reaching its highest point, it feels as though the whole of this unexplained monster is just swallowing you up! I love this picture/video because, while reading, I always have my own mental portrait of what each main character looks like, but in Beowulf, it was very difficult for me to create an unchanging picture of what Grendel may have looked like, and this explains to me why.

By katie_r, at September 16, 2007 8:13 PM
When I am left to think about the hero's journey, one movie always comes to mind: Donnie Darko. To me, what makes Beowulf a hero more than anything else is his battle with the dragon. He knows he is going to die, and he still goes. Why? I'd like to believe it's not because of his pride but rather his love of his people that provides the impetus for his desicion.

It is the same for Donnie in the film. I will try not to ruin it for those of you who have not seen the movie (and I highly recommend that you do), but Donnie is presented with a choice similar to that of Beowulf.

In the end, it is love, more than anything, that drives heroism. That which is truly noble is sacrifice for others. One website says of a main symbol in Donnie Darko, a rabbit, that "the rabbit expresses hope that life will be renewed, and better than before" and "To Buddhists the hare is a symbol of self-sacrifice"*. So too is this hope present at the end of Beowulf as Wiglaf comes to his kinsman's aid, just as this hope can be seen in "The Man in the Water" or Matt's story of the subway rescue.

Behind the unique plot of Donnie Darko, lies a far more basic idea, that of giving of oneself for others. For though others have said in their posts that the hero must stand alone, he does so out of compassion for his fellow man.

"The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities;
but to know someone here and there who thinks and feels with us,
and though distant, is close to us in spirit -
this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden."

-Goethe

*Donnie Darko Website

By Spencer Z, at September 16, 2007 8:26 PM
I loved Martin Luther's quote in "A Hero's Journey." "We must Develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive it devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us." I feel that the last part of this quote is not only true in our daily lives but in Beowulf as well. Through reading "Grendel" by John Gardner I was given a whole new perspective on the character of Grendel. Maybe there was some good in him like Gardner portrays. When I reread the passage when Grendel comes to Herot I had a whole new outlook on Grendel. Try it. Go back and read that part in Beowulf with the John Gardner perspective in mind. This quote also applies to Beowulf himself in that "[There is] some evil in the best of us." One of the unanswered questions that came up in class was: "Does Beowulf have too much pride in himself to the point where it could be bad for him?" I think this is Beowulf's evil - his PRIDE. In the end when he fights the dragon is it his pride that gets him killed? It is an interesting topic to ponder because at the same time it was very noble of Beowulf to slay the dragon for his people's sake. So on one hand Beowulf is an epic hero because he sacrifices himself for the good of his people. But on the other hand, if we dig a little deeper, the evil in Beowulf, his pride, is what led to his ultimate destruction - the end of his life and the end of the security of his kingdom. What did he really sacrifice?

By Natalie M, at September 16, 2007 8:37 PM
The symbolism of water has always intrigued me. In The Hours one woman walks into a river to kill herself and later another woman is laying on a bed thinking about overdosing on some painkillers when the room floods with water. In one of my favorite novels the main female kills herself by swimming too far into the ocean. In Beowulf Grendel's mother lives underwater, where she is killed.

So I decided to research the symbolism of water and found this site .

On a different site I read that water and earth "symbolize the feminine archetype, the passive state and the intuitive function."

I think the "purification"/"reborn" idea mentioned in the first site explains these women's deaths, though I am sure there is more to it.

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 9:36 PM
While reading “A Hero’s Journey” by Alan Jenkins, I came across a quote that made me ponder the epic poem Beowulf, “We forget at our peril that great strength is a heavy burden to be used with care, humility, conscience and sacrifice.” When I read Beowulf, I had a picture in my mind of what Beowulf looked like, an enormous man with an obscene amount of strength. When I created this picture in my mind of Beowulf, I did not think about his strength attributing to the burdens that he carries for the common good of his country. One of the burdens that came along with his strength was the future of his people solely relied on the outcome of the fight with the dragon. If he was unable to defeat the dragon, the entire population would have suffered under the wrath of a harmful demon. I think that readers often forget that the gift that the hero has received in order to prevail, is not always a blessing to them. For Beowulf, having that much strength could have corrupted his intentions, the gift of strength was given to a human whom is capable of failing due to an unavoidable flaw: hegemony. The quote illustrates how Beowulf handled the gift of strength with care and did not abuse what he was given, unlike many of the tragic heros that we see in many pieces of literature. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Beowulf was human and had temptations because he did not act upon his desires, instead he was determined and persevered through the many obstacles that his gift presented.

By anam, at September 16, 2007 10:05 PM
Beowulf, the legend, has always made me question the actual truth behind this epic poem.

Are the words inscribed history or a story? Are heroes like Beowulf real or are they a figure of our imagination? Can a hero like Beowulf exist in real life?

I began searching for a concrete definition of a legend. Merriam Webster provided the following definition:
a story coming down from the past; especially one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable

Beowulf may have existed in the past, however could Beowulf be a myth, an unproven legend? The events of Beowulf fighting the demons, Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon that hoards treasure seem all too unexplainable. I began to seek out the difference between myths and legends.

This fun little site helped me distinguish the difference between a myth and legend however still overlap because of unexplainable events and characters, such as Grendel, in Beowulf. But in the end, I find Beowulf more of a legend than a myth. Yes, Beowulf contains symbolism, almost allegorical in the representations of the demons, but Beowulf is a realistic person that holds human qualities comparable to our society today.

By Dan, at September 16, 2007 10:16 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.

By Kaity M., at September 17, 2007 3:05 PM
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By Kaity M., at September 17, 2007 3:27 PM
While reading Beowulf, I was curious to know why Grendel's mother was more powerful than Grendel was. Beowulf easily defeated Grendel, but when it came to Grendel's mother, Beowulf had a tough time. He had to travel underwater and fight in her territory. His sword broke and he struggled a little in killing her. In my search through the internet, I came upon this quote which seems to answer my question:

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."

-Agatha Christie.

The quote explains how a mother would do anything for her child. Grendel's mother attacks the people of Herot, not because of her greed, but because she was seeking revenge on the man that killed her son. She did what she thought she had to do as a mother to make up for the death of Grendel.

By Kaity M., at September 17, 2007 3:30 PM
I had Google imaged Beowulf and I came across a picture from BEOWULF the video game, and I was intrigued. I found out that it was created because of the movie and I found this summary of the game and it's very exciting! I really want to play it and see how it parallels the poem. You can also go to beowulfmovie.com and learn more about the game.

Beowulf hasn't been my favorite book, but the impact of it didn't hit me until I found out about the video game. I know I'm a little late to the realization, but it amazes me that a story thousands of years old is still being adapted into movies and games. It is such a classic tale of heroism that I think it will be read until the demise of humanity. It's also incredible to imagine a thirteen-year-old playing Beowulf and getting excited to move onto the next level to defeat the Grendel, or the dragon.

By allison n, at September 17, 2007 3:55 PM
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By Erin L., at September 17, 2007 7:00 PM
The character Beowulf has been used as a model for hundreds of years to describe modern day heroes (real and fictional characters). For example, I think Hercules greatly illustrates Beowulf’s respectable side. In Walt Disney’s Hercules, Hercules is shown as this phenomenal young man with great strength, therefore, he does not easily fit in Greece. As the film progresses, he learns he is the son of the almighty god, Zeus. Unfortunately, the god of the underworld, Hades, stole him from Mt. Olympus and turned the young Hercules mortal so he was able to die. Hades does turn Hercules mortal, but is not successful in killing him. In order for Hercules to rejoin his father, he must prove himself a true hero. This song/film clip displays Hercules’s fame and excellence during his strife to become a hero.
Beowulf greatly relates to Hercules. Beowulf seems to strive to become a hero and to be the best, and he is successful in doing so. Like Hercules, Beowulf was looked up to and his fame spread quickly. Beowulf almost seemed like a god because he appeared immortal in his battles. Hercules and Beowulf are both studied and debated about today because people often question their heroism. Many believe Beowulf was just cocky and lucky and Hercules was a god so he did not have any battles. Beowulf and Hercules both had conflicts; Beowulf fought Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon and Hercules scuffled through his 12 Labours and also fought all of Hades monsters. Hercules and Beowulf were the gods of their times.

By Erin L., at September 17, 2007 7:07 PM
just makeing sure it works

By Amanda W., at October 22, 2007 2:30 PM

AP English Language Period 5

Saturday, September 08, 2007

The "Best of All" Intellectual Risk-Takers!

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