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. Ask more questions and continue our class discussion to reach a greater understaning of this epic poem. 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!
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9 comments:
Hey All!
As a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, I know that he was influenced greatly by Beowulf. In fact, it could be said that the entire Rohirric culture of Lord of the Rings is based strongly on the culture present in Beowulf.
While doing some reseach, I discovered that Tolkien wrote an essay entitled: "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics". In the essay he emphasizes the literay value of the fantastical elements of Beowulf (i.e. Grendel and the Dragon), and argues that these should be the central focus of the poem rather than its historical value. An opinion quite ahead of his time.
If any of you are interested, I've attached a link to the essay itself. :)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6003440/Beowulf-The-Monsters-and-the-Critics
That's a very interesting article Rachel.
I was wondering what the motif of symbol of the bed means throughout Beowulf. In the following passages, I see mixed meaning and am having a hard time figuring out what it means.
(1) "Then Hrothgar left that hall, the Dane's Great protector, followed by his court; the queen Had preceded him and he went to lie at her side, Seek sleep near his wife. It was said that God Himself had set a sentinel in Herot,.."(ln.652-658).
(2) "All of Beowulf's Band had jumped from their beds, ancestral Swords raised and ready, determined To protect their prince if they could" (ln. 794-797).
(3) "And Beowulf was glad that a bed Was waiting, the bravest of warriors exhausted With the work he'd done" (ln. 1792-1794).
(4) "And those seafarers hurried From their beds, anxious to begin the voyage Home, ready to start, their hearts Already sailing on a ship's swift back" (ln. 1803-1806).
(5) "Hoping that his quarrel with the Hathobards can be settled By a woman. He's wrong: how many wars Have been put to rest in a prince's bed? Few. A bride can bring a little Peace, make spears silent for a time, But not long" (ln. 2027-2032).
Hello there everyone!
Rachel: That is simply FANTASTIC! I love Lord of the Rings, and to see how such a fine author has kept the work of another, ancient anonymous author alive is so inspiring.
Alyse: this would be so interesting to view throughout all the translations! Specifically, I'd love to trace "bed" through the John Porter translation; that seemed the most purely ancient to me. I wonder if the word there would be more of a resting place, rather than the literal word "bed"? I also love the quote about Hrothgar and Welthow that you used. I think it shows a whole different side of both their characters. Although we didn't discuss this relationship much in class, this is one of only two times when love between men and women is referred to in an overwhelmingly positive light, the other time being with Thrith. I, being a hopeless romantic, have always been on the Beowulf-Welthow side, even before we watched the movie in class. However, I think this quote really refutes that idea and serves to represent the depth of loyalty that was valued in Anglo-Saxon society. Truly lovely, and certainly touching, if you ask me.
I wanted to ask everyone how they felt about Beowulf, himself, at the end of the story. This probably revisits the whole romantic idea I have in my head, but the poor man just seems so lonely. His sorrow at his death and his lack of a son just breaks my heart. I want to jump into the poem and hold his hand! If you want to read more about the idea of love and Beowulf, please visit this grand Old English blog, which discusses a translation of the poem for children: http://oldenglishnyc.blogspot.com/2008/06/saving-beowulf-or-stories-of-love-andor.html
Do you think that this thought on love and Beowulf's loneliness supports the ideas we read about in "The Power of Myth" about a hero being set apart and alone and the ability of a hero to reassimilate (or not) into life after his acquisition of knowledge? Why must Beowulf be ultimately alone at the end of the poem (despite Wiglaf's aide) and travel solo into the world of death? Is this meant to be a tragic ending, or an uplifting one?
Hello again!
I just checked out fifth hour's blog, ladies: Emily posted a fantastic link with hundreds of translations of our dear old epic poem. Here is is: http://www.beowulftranslations.net/port.shtml. This site is especially wonderful because you can search by author or part of the poem!
Alyse, check out John Porter's translation when he comes across Grendel: not just lying on the stone floor dead, but in a BED!
Alyse: Whoa! I would have never picked up on that. Such fantastic insight. The word "bed" is quite simple in context, but (like the poem) can have so many different meanings. In the quotes that you chose "bed" seems to be portrayed as a positive image, but more importantly as a reward. In ancient times, when you were lucky to find a hard rock to rest your head on, a bed was considered a privilege and an earned right. It was (and still is) seen as a hospitable gesture by the host. It's possible that the author, by using the bed motif, further asserts the noble intent of Beowulf and the warriors that accompanied him.
Meghan, you brought up an interesting idea as well: suggesting that bed could also be seen as a resting place. This intrigued me. I'm going to totally go out on a limb here and suggest that if bed=resting place than perhaps bed could also represent heaven as well? The FINAL resting place? Just an idea. ;-)
In answer to your question, Meghan, I think it was necessary, not only for Beowulf's sake, but for the sake of his people that he die alone at the poem's end. This relates to the crucifixion idea Kelly and Sarah brought up during their commentary. Beowulf's sacrifice frees his people from the dragon's tyrannical grip, but in sacrificing himself he completes his quest for glory. Not in the physical does he earn the status of hero, but in the love his people have for him and the legacy he leaves behind.
Yes, I am from Period 5, but the discussion seems to be happening here, so I'll post here as well.
For the sake of it I looked up different Old English poems on-line (mostly Wikipedia, admittedly as I do not have time to find translations and read them all) to see if there were any similar themes that carried across from Beowulf to poem to poem…I was initially only going to do a few and I instead kept looking. I have tried to summarize what I found.
Waldere
>This sounds like a really awesome poem. However, it is comprised of fragments of a lost epic poem (like Beowulf) found in 1860. What they know, it is about Waldere (Walter) and Hildegyth who are held captive in Attila. They escape together, steal treasure in the process, and are on the run from the law (Gunthhere (king) and Hagena).
>Waldere is encouraged to keep fighting at some point.
>There is also evidence of extensive praising of weapons (specifically swords) and armor.
>It ends with everyone getting hurt, a peaceful ending, and Waldere and Hildegyth getting married (the full ending has been lost).
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldere
Æcerbot ("Field-Remedy")
>Æcerbot, as far as I can tell, is completely a conflict between Christianity and pagan ways. It seems to be a chant/poem/prayer for a good harvest…
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86cerbot
The Battle of Maldon
>This is a poem about the Battle of Maldon, fought by the Anglo-Saxons against the Vikings (the Vikings won). Many pages of the initial poem were lost in a fire in 1731.
>During the time of the battle, there was apparently a split among the people; some preferring to pay off the Vikings and others wanting to fight. It is said that the reason for the Anglo-Saxons was the commander's sin of pride.
>Is he "sin of pride" causing defeat in kin to Hroathgar's warning to Beowulf before Beowulf heads home from Denmark? Is this split between money and bravery similar to after Beowulf was killed and died, and Wiglaf commented on the cowardice of the other soldiers?
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86cerbot
Solomon and Saturn
>Again, we have the conflict of pagan vs. Christianity…It appears that Solomon, a great king of the kingdom of Isreal, and Saturn, a Roman god, quiz each other over various matters including the Bible, runes, and medieval lore. As a side note, for those who do not know this, the Romans, when they were beginning to conquer other polytheistic cultures, allowed them to keep their religion, so long as they also recognized Roman gods. Apparently the Anglo Saxons identified Odin (one of their gods) with Mercury (a Roman god). It seems to me that we also have a conflict between Northern cultures and Mediterranean cultures?
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_and_Saturn
Hemir
>Hemir is also known as Hama (mentioned in Beowulf) and was also a very common Germanic hero
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heimir
Soul and Body
>Soul and Body has two versions, but both are generally about a damned soul trapped to its body. Soul and Body I (Vercelli Book) ends with hope of rebirth, a "resurrection of the body." However, Soul and Body II (Exeter Book) ends with despair and the fate of the damned soul.
>This desire of rebirth (in Soul and Body I) is very similar to Pheonix (below) and the idea I pose below it.
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_and_Body
The Seafarer (found within the Exter Book/Soul and Body II)
>The Seafarer begins as a narrative and progresses to be a praise of God and expresses the thought that there is reward for believing in God.
>Along with Beowulf, there is a theme that man's life is shaped by fate.
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seafarer_(poem)
Phoenix (Old English Poem)
>They both seem to embody the conflict of pagan (the old ways) vs. Christianity (new) as well as being a cross-road between Anglo-Saxon society and Roman/Latin…
>(From Wikipedia) The first 380 lines paraphrase the Latin version De Ave Phoenice with many of the pagan rituals removed from the original Phoenix story. The poem concludes with eleven lines that combine Old English and Latin.
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_(Old_English_poem)
Is the idea of birth, rise, fall, and re-birth a basic theme?
>Beowulf begins as a type of nobody in Higlac's court.
>He builds up his prowess and reputation
>He struggles with pride
>He redeems himself by fighting the dragon (possibly representing the evil within him) and is thus 'reborn'…
The basic link to the Old English Poems I have referenced plus others including a list of characters and objects in Beowulf:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Old_English_poems
I found an article in "Time" that talks about "Beowulf" both the epic and the movie and how they relate. I think that it is very interesting what they say are the positives for the movie. Also, the article mentions pathos and the humanity of both Grendel and Beowulf.
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1684839,00.html
Meghan, thanks for passing on the link, I had not thought about the bed in that manner. I found an essay online which talks about some motifs throughout "Beowulf" and it mentions the bed in a similar manner to what you are talking about. This is a very interesting essay and I think that you might enjoy it.
Beowulf : The Monsters and the Tradition by Marilynn Desmond.
http://journal.oraltradition.org/files/articles/7ii/5_desmond.pdf
Rachel, I like where you are going with thinking of the bed as a reward. It seems as if the bed is a break from their ordinary lives. When they go to sleep in a bed they have an important task awaiting them and must be ready. Also, it seems as if Welthow and Hrothgar regularly sleep in a bed and as they are noble that would set them apart from the rest of the people.
Could the bed be a double edged sword? Meaning that it is a reward as well as a final resting place. I found another passage at the end of the poem that could back that idea up.
"Beowulf dead on the sand, their bold Ring-giver resting in his last bed; He'd reached the end of his days, their mighty War-king, the great lord of the Geats, Gone to a glorious death" (3033-3037).
Michelle, the other Anglo-Saxon poems are very interesting. They all seem to have similar themes from the era.
Meghan, I love the question you raised about Beowulf dying alone. I feel like Beowulf needed to die lonely and sad, in order for the reader to connect to him. At the beginning of the poem, I could not relate to Beowulf whatsoever. Yes, I recognized that he was a hero so he had to be better than average, my the far fetched details in the story annoyed me, rather than mesmerizing me.
However, at the end, when Beowulf is lonely, I could finally see the human element behind the hero. That is when I liked the poem for the first time.
You also raised a question about "Power of Myth" and how it is a hero's destiny to be alone. I think that is so interesting because we see that in today's culture too. For example, the article, "Hero's journey" where Spider man is discussed. Even though we do not know Spider Man's ultimate fate, it is really amusing to see his progressing towards loneliness in the movie.
So does a person really have to be alone to be a hero? Or can he be happy and heroic at the same time?
Mrs. Ferrill,
Could you create a new post where we could talk about our independent study novel with other people? I think that it would be helpful to see what others are finding in the novels and what their impressions are of them.
Thanks!
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