Monday, August 20, 2012
Beowulf Significant Quotations- Collaborative Activity, 4th period
Directions: Each pair or group of students was given a quote to read
and analyze. Please do so and post your findings so the rest of the
class may see your interpretation. Keep in mind that I am not looking
for a reading summary (we all read the same selections!) but rather, an
in-depth connection to the area of focus in which it pertains, as well
as a connection to AS culture and society (if applicable). Make sure
you are clear in your posts and, as always, proofread.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo, are you saying that honor trumps mortality?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteEmmanuel and Cole's quote says...
ReplyDelete"So every elder and experienced councilman
amoung my people supported my resolve
to come here to you, King Hrothgar,
because all knew of my awesome strength,
They had seen me boltered in the blood of the enemies
When I battled and bound five beasts,
raided a troll-next and in the night-sea
slaightered sea-brutes. I have suffered extremes
and avenged the Geats (their enemies brought it
upon themselves, I devastated them).
Now I mean to be a match for Grendel,
settle the outcome in single combat." (415-426)
Analysis: In the reading Beowulf seems like he is applying for a job. He tells Hrothgar of all his accomplishments to prove himself worthy of the job of killing Grendel. It also seems like Beowulf isn't quite sure if he can defeat Grendel. Beowulf is building up is confidence by stating all of his past accomplishments and victories. All in all Beowulf is trying to prove his identity of a great warrior to Hrothgar.
Identity.
DeleteJeronica and Johnese- Identity
ReplyDelete"I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea.
As I sat in the boat with my band of men,
I meant to perform to the uttermost
what your people wanted or perish in the attempt,
in the fiend's clutches. and I shall fulfil that purpose,
prove myself with a proud deed
or meet my death here in the mead-hal. (632-638)
Johnese and I feel that this quote is an example of how Anglo Saxon men use their accomplishment during battle to leave a name for themselves. What Beowulf is telling the King in this quote is that he is coming with the goal of killing Grendel and if he doesn't complete this goal he will die trying. To continue, in the Anglo Saxon culture bravery and determination was valued, so Beowulf felt that he had no choice but to sucessed or die trying to kill Grendel.
what about the AS concept of wynd? address this.
DeleteIn the AS culture wynd means to go with fate; therefore, Beowulf could careless if he actually wins the fight with Grendel as long as he puts forth his best efforts. Even if Beowulf dies in battle he will feel that it was all worth it because AS believe in honor and the main point is carrying out his mission and not the result of the mission.
DeleteKeshawn, Cristina & Yemika
ReplyDelete“Whichever one death fells
must deem it a judgment by God.” (440-441)
This quote pertains to the issue of mortality. The quote signifies the fate of all the people regarding to the war between Beowulf and Grendel. The judgment that they refer to by God is the one that all the civilization will receive depending on who wins. If Grendel wins the people will live in fear and if Beowulf wins it’ll be a good day for all. The death of Grendel will bring a good judgment among all the people because they will consider it as a gift. This is related to Christianity because it says “But you have made yourself immortal by your glorious action. May the God of Ages continue to keep and requite you well” (line 953-955). This means that they appreciate what Beowulf has done for their civilization. Whoever wins, God will fairly judge them no matter if it’s Grendel or Beowulf. This victory will remain forever and God will count this as a good victory no matter who wins.
mmmm.....i don't know if it doesn't matter if ANYONE wins. why would god want grendel to win?
DeleteGod would want Bewoulf to win because good always prevails and overcomes any evil.
DeleteDamian Maldonado, Eric Hayes
ReplyDelete" I had a fixed purpose when I put to sea.
As I sat in the boat with my band of men,
I meant to perform to the uttermost
what your people wanted or perish in the attempt,
in the fiend's clutches. And I shall fulfill that purpose,
prove myself with a proud deed
or meet my death here in the mead-hall." (632-638)
Interpretation: Beowulf is prepared to face Grendel or die trying in order to save the people and perform to the highest of qualities. He is willing to give his life in order to please the Danes and to back up his claims of being capable of slaying Grendel as he said he would. The area of focus of this quote is Good v. Evil.
Anglo Saxons believed so much in keeping their word. They were all bark and bite! It meant alot to them to keep promises and build a good reputation.
DeleteJairus Miles; Dantavious Hicks
ReplyDeleteGood vs. Evil
"In the end each clan on the outlying coasts beyonce the whale-road had to yield to him and began to pay triubute. That was one good king."
During this period, servants of the king tend to regaurd him as "good" because he was able to reward them with luxurious gifts such as: gold, money, and respect. If the king had not graced his Thanes with gifts and other rewards, they would more than likely not look at him as "one good king" but frown upon him for not giving back to his loyal servants.
so, you are saying that the concept of good v. evil in AS times is different from our modern day concept?
DeleteYes, completely. Individuals in today's society only think about how people act in everyday life. Whether they are "following rules" or "being nice." In AS society people only thought about what those above them did for them. As far as giving gifts and giving praise!
DeleteRashundaLloyd//// Sarah Askew
ReplyDeleteNone of them expected he would ever see
his homeland again or get back
to his native place and the people who reared him.
They knew too well the way it was before,
how often the Danes had fallen prey
to death on the mead-hall.(691-696)
Our quote deals with mortality. In the A.S culture, the mind set they have going into war is whatever happens, happens. They don't think that Beowulf will come out alive fighting Grendel because all of the men before him died. It's the honor of the person that matters.
you stated, "In the A.S culture, the mind set they have going into war is whatever happens, happens." what is the name of this AS concept?
DeleteThe concept is wynd.
DeleteKristie Wimbush Alberto Ortiz
ReplyDelete“But death is not easily escape from by anyone; all of us with souls, earth-dwellers and children of men, must make our way to a destination already ordained where the body, after the banqueting sleeps on its deathbed. “(1001-1007) Mortality
This Quote focuses on death and the afterlife. It is pretty much saying that all people die there is no way of avoiding death. The A.S society was surrounded by death. There was war, illness, and constant threat of invasion. Things as common as child birth today were critical back in A.S times, because people died from birth so often. A.S society viewed death less profoundly than we do because many of those threats do not occur as much to us.
nice. well done.
DeleteJaToya, Eriekca, and Brandi: Good vs. Evil
ReplyDelete"Inside Heorot
there was nothing but friendship. The Shielding nation
was not yet familiar with fued and betrayal." (1016-8)
In the Sheilding nation, the Danes value honor and loyalty. They were in the presence of Beowulf, a courageous Geat, who boasted about how he could defeat Grendel. This promised made the Danes think nothing could go wrong and trouble will not come. Yet, evil approaches. Soon the Barbarians will come but they will not keep their committment nor their word to the Danes. This will cause chaos.
elaborate. where are you headed with this? also, please proofread.
DeleteThe Danes are extremly strict, making loyallty and honesty their main characteristics required for their people. Yet, little do they know,there are people that show characteristics like deceitfulness and dishonesty that are soon to come along and try take power because of greed. Note: Even though the quote speaks of a season of peace; eventually, conflict will find them again. There will always be an endless cycle of good v. evil.
DeleteJeremy&Michael: Mortality
ReplyDelete"Shield was still thriving when his time came and he crossed over into the lord's keeping. His warrior band did what he bade them when he laid down the law among the Danes: they shouldered him out to the sea's flood, the cheif they revered who had long ruled them. A ring-whorled prow rode in the harbour, ice-clad, outbound, a craft for a prince. They stretched their beloved lord in his boat, laid out by the mast, amidships, the great ring-giver. Far-fetched treasures were piled upon him, and precious gear".(26-37)
This quote deals with morality because it shows that how noble and loved Sheild was, he still was going to die. Even the heroic characters of legend will die eventually. The warriors of that time were almost certain they would not come back from battles and accepted that fact.