1. The gravedigger sings of death after love, and the people get old, die, and are given to the land. This fits into the play because Hamlet and Ophelia had love but it had to end because of her death. And earlier in the play the talk about how a king dies, worms eat his body, fish eat the worms, and the people eat the fish. The circle of life.
2. When Hamlet speaks to Yorik’s skull it shows that he is legitimately sad, he thought very highly of Yorik. With Hamlet’s fathers death, Hamlet just moped around mourning, dressed in black, then looking for revenge. His father’s death was of lesser meaning to him because he become consumed with trying to avenge him. With Ophelia Hamlet seems to love her at times, and he seems to not care at all about her at other times. With Yorik, his feelings are not mixed.
3. Hamlet is thirty years old because he asked the gravedigger how long he’d been grave-digging and he said “It was that very day that young Hamlet was born” “I have been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years.”
4. This argument sets up the sword fight scene between Hamlet and Laertes, which is when Hamlet finally takes some action.
5. It shows his ability to go through with his plans, leading the way to his plan to eventually kill Claudius. It shows that his anger is growing and he doesn’t care what he has to do to get revenge. “They are not near my conscience.” He doesn’t feel any sorrow for their deaths or being the cause of their deaths because he has accepted the fact that no one can be trusted.
6. Hamlet has become consumed with the idea of just murdering Claudius. It was at first to avenge his fathers murder, and that only. Hamlet then seems to forget that, he wants to kill Claudius now because he married his mother, and stepped between Hamlet and the throne.
7.
8.
9. Laertes’s reason to kill Hamelt is to keep his honor, he has already lost because he had to trick Hamlet, and cheat by using poison to kill him. He did not fight in an honorable way, so the idea of fighting to keep his honor is contradicting.
10. Gertrude calls out to her son as she dies because she is dependant upon men. The King calls out to everyone in the castle, this shows that he is weak, he cannot fight his own battles, throughout the play he was having people do everything for him. He only takes, and uses. Laertes asks for forgiveness before he dies.
11. Fortinbras wins; he did not die, go insane or have a loved one killed. He gets to avenge his father and take over Denmark.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Hamlet 3.3 3.4
1. Hamlet has caused the memory of murdering King Hamlet come back to Claudius and make him feel guilt.
2. Exposition: Background information of Fortinbras. King Hamlet is dead, Gertrude has married Claudius.
Inciting Event: the ghost appears and speaks to Hamlet and tells him about his murder.
Rising Action: Hamlet acts mad, Ophelia gives back love letters, Hamlet is spied on, Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius yet.
1. Send them to England and have them killed.
2. Spy. He plans on hiding in Gertrude's room and listen to what Hamlet says to her.
3. He admits to murdering King Hamlet. He says he cannot pray.
4. Because Claudius says he cannot pray.
5. Hamlet does not kill the King because he is praying and Hamlet thinks that if he is killed while praying he'll go to heaven. Hamlet wants the King to go to hell so he decides to wait until he is engaging in sin.
1. Polonius tells Gertrude to tell Hamlet that his actions are causing a lot of trouble and he is making problems for the King. He tells her to be stern with him.
2. Hamlet says this because he has discovered that someone is spying on him. He says he is a rat and his life is only worth one ducat.
3. Hamlet is in a way accusing his mother of killing his father, or at least helping in the murder.
4. Because Hamlet speaks to her in a rude way, and she doesn't think she has done anything wrong.
5. He says his father looked like a man blessed by the gods, and Claudius looks like a mildewed ear.
6. Claudius is a lesser man, that brings down the people around him.
7. It is disturbing because Gertrude is sleeping with her old husbands brother.
8. The ghost of his father appears again. He tells him to continue with the point, kill Claudius. And it tells him to help his mother, to tell not to sleep with Claudius.
2. Exposition: Background information of Fortinbras. King Hamlet is dead, Gertrude has married Claudius.
Inciting Event: the ghost appears and speaks to Hamlet and tells him about his murder.
Rising Action: Hamlet acts mad, Ophelia gives back love letters, Hamlet is spied on, Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius yet.
1. Send them to England and have them killed.
2. Spy. He plans on hiding in Gertrude's room and listen to what Hamlet says to her.
3. He admits to murdering King Hamlet. He says he cannot pray.
4. Because Claudius says he cannot pray.
5. Hamlet does not kill the King because he is praying and Hamlet thinks that if he is killed while praying he'll go to heaven. Hamlet wants the King to go to hell so he decides to wait until he is engaging in sin.
1. Polonius tells Gertrude to tell Hamlet that his actions are causing a lot of trouble and he is making problems for the King. He tells her to be stern with him.
2. Hamlet says this because he has discovered that someone is spying on him. He says he is a rat and his life is only worth one ducat.
3. Hamlet is in a way accusing his mother of killing his father, or at least helping in the murder.
4. Because Hamlet speaks to her in a rude way, and she doesn't think she has done anything wrong.
5. He says his father looked like a man blessed by the gods, and Claudius looks like a mildewed ear.
6. Claudius is a lesser man, that brings down the people around him.
7. It is disturbing because Gertrude is sleeping with her old husbands brother.
8. The ghost of his father appears again. He tells him to continue with the point, kill Claudius. And it tells him to help his mother, to tell not to sleep with Claudius.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hamlet Soliloquy 1.2
Oh how I wish my flesh would melt off my body, or that God had not made sin of suicide. Oh God, how pointless and meaningless this life has become to me! It is like a garden that has not been weeded and has gone to waste, possessed by things rank in nature. My father, not even two months has been dead, such an excellent king, so loving to my mother that he prevented the wind from touching her face to rough. Must I remember? How she would hang on him, the more she was with him the more her need for him grew. But still, within only a month, not long enough for her funeral shoes to break in, she married my uncle. A beast would have mourned his death longer! My father’s brother, no more alike are they than I am to Hercules. Within a month, as soon as her tears dried she remarried. So soon she was to move to the sheets of someone so close, it is not good, nor will good ever come from this. But I cannot speak of this anymore.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Gawain (fit 4)
1. When Gawain goes to the castle he changes, he gives up on his faith and becomes dishonest. When the Green Knight knicks him with the axe Gawain spiritually dies, the way he was becoming he is no longer. He is reborn when he leaves the Chapel because he returns to his old faith in his shield, the pentangle and the Virgin Mary, no longer in the girdle. He keeps the girdle, only to remind himself of when he became dishonest and gave up on his faith.
2. Gawain is reborn physically after he upholds his part of the deal to the Green Knight, and then believes that he is dead. He thinks the Green Knight is going to chop off his head, instead he only cuts it. He is reborn spiritually because he dies when he gives up his faith in God and the Pentangle, and is reborn after his visit with the Green Knight and takes back his old faith.
3) I think we are supposed to accept Sir Gawains point of view at the end because we are supposed to see that he feels bad about what he had done. He feels lesser because he gave up his faith and honesty when he before was prided because of those things. It becomes a lesson to the reader.
4. Gawain is in a way both ruined and not ruined as a knight. To himself he is ruined, he no longer has any respect for himself. But to everyone else he is not ruined because he came back alive and honorable and is still able to perform in battles.
5. I think the Lady is in control of the game. It was not her game, but she was the factor that made it a game. She could have chosen to leave Gawain alone and not temp him. If she would have left him alone he would have stayed honorable and kept his faith. But she chose to take part in the game and challenge him with temptation. She tricked him into becoming dishonest and to put his faith in the girdle instead of the pentangle. It was the decision she made that changed everything and made the challenge.
2. Gawain is reborn physically after he upholds his part of the deal to the Green Knight, and then believes that he is dead. He thinks the Green Knight is going to chop off his head, instead he only cuts it. He is reborn spiritually because he dies when he gives up his faith in God and the Pentangle, and is reborn after his visit with the Green Knight and takes back his old faith.
3) I think we are supposed to accept Sir Gawains point of view at the end because we are supposed to see that he feels bad about what he had done. He feels lesser because he gave up his faith and honesty when he before was prided because of those things. It becomes a lesson to the reader.
4. Gawain is in a way both ruined and not ruined as a knight. To himself he is ruined, he no longer has any respect for himself. But to everyone else he is not ruined because he came back alive and honorable and is still able to perform in battles.
5. I think the Lady is in control of the game. It was not her game, but she was the factor that made it a game. She could have chosen to leave Gawain alone and not temp him. If she would have left him alone he would have stayed honorable and kept his faith. But she chose to take part in the game and challenge him with temptation. She tricked him into becoming dishonest and to put his faith in the girdle instead of the pentangle. It was the decision she made that changed everything and made the challenge.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Questions (fit 3)
2. I think Gawain upholds his respect at first, when the Lady comes into his room he asks her to leave so he can get dressed because he does not feel it is right she is there because she is married to the Duke. It is not very honest to the Duke when he kisses the Lady, but by doing that he is trying to maintain honor for the Lady. He is honorable by upholding his deal with the Duke and giving him in return a kiss that he earned. The next morning he starts to become a little bit more dishonorable to the Duke because he is up waiting for the Lady, he does not ask her to leave, and he kisses her twice. He is able to resist the temptation for the most part, and he does give the Duke the two kisses he received. The third time the Lady visits him, he is no longer honest to the Duke, he lies about the Girdle, and gives up on his original beliefs, forgets about his faith in the Virgin Mary and puts it all in a ‘magic’ girdle that is supposed to protect him. Gawain slowly loses his honesty and faith.
3. The climax would be when Gawain lies to the Duke and tells him he only got the three kisses when he also received the girdle. The whole reason why he was even at the castle is because he was on a journey to uphold a deal. His entire trip was based on being honorable to his people and himself as a warrior. As soon as he accepted the girdle and lied to the Duke he gave up his faith in himself and his shield, and was no longer honest.
4. The girdle symbolizes dishonesty and loss of faith. The lady tells Gawain that it has magical powers and will protect him which Gawain later finds out is a lie; because of this lie it causes Gawain to then lie to the Duke after their deal. The girdle also causes Gawain to give up his faith in the Pentangle, his shield, and the Virgin Mary. He forgot about his Christian beliefs and was thinking more Pagan, believing that the girdle was magic.
5.
3. The climax would be when Gawain lies to the Duke and tells him he only got the three kisses when he also received the girdle. The whole reason why he was even at the castle is because he was on a journey to uphold a deal. His entire trip was based on being honorable to his people and himself as a warrior. As soon as he accepted the girdle and lied to the Duke he gave up his faith in himself and his shield, and was no longer honest.
4. The girdle symbolizes dishonesty and loss of faith. The lady tells Gawain that it has magical powers and will protect him which Gawain later finds out is a lie; because of this lie it causes Gawain to then lie to the Duke after their deal. The girdle also causes Gawain to give up his faith in the Pentangle, his shield, and the Virgin Mary. He forgot about his Christian beliefs and was thinking more Pagan, believing that the girdle was magic.
5.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Gawain (fit 3)
The first time the Duke goes out he kills a bunch of deer. That same morning the Duke’s wife goes into Sir Gawain’s room while he is sleeping and tempts him. The deer can be related to Gawain because deer are innocent, and were ambushed by the men. Gawain is as well innocent because he has no idea that the Lady will be coming into his room, and he asks her to leave so he can get dressed because he does not believe it is right that she is there.
The second day the Duke and his men killed a Boar, the battle was more difficult this time because the Boar was more prepared than the deer. That same morning the Lady went into Gawain’s room again. This time though, he was waiting for her. He was more prepared for her visit and like the Boar put up a good fight against her but eventually gave it and kissed her.
The third day when the Lady went into Gawain’s room she wanted to give him a gift, but he would not take the ring she offered him. So she gave him a green girdle, but made him promise he would not tell the Duke. She told him it would keep him safe from any blade. That same day the Duke came back with merely a fox. A fox represents trickery and deception, this parallels the idea that Gawain did not uphold his part of the deal and did not tell the Duke about the girdle, and was therefore not honest.
The second day the Duke and his men killed a Boar, the battle was more difficult this time because the Boar was more prepared than the deer. That same morning the Lady went into Gawain’s room again. This time though, he was waiting for her. He was more prepared for her visit and like the Boar put up a good fight against her but eventually gave it and kissed her.
The third day when the Lady went into Gawain’s room she wanted to give him a gift, but he would not take the ring she offered him. So she gave him a green girdle, but made him promise he would not tell the Duke. She told him it would keep him safe from any blade. That same day the Duke came back with merely a fox. A fox represents trickery and deception, this parallels the idea that Gawain did not uphold his part of the deal and did not tell the Duke about the girdle, and was therefore not honest.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Gawain Questions (fit 2)
1. The first three stanzas are about the passing of time from the Green Knights appearance and challenge in the castle. They describe the change in scenery as the season changes; then Gawain decides it is time for him to leave.
The next two Stanzas show the motif of the arming of the warrior; they describe his armor in detail.
The next two describe his shield with the pentangle and what it represents, and also the Virgin Mary on the other side of the shield.
Stanzas 8-11 talk about Gawain’s travels through the country, the obstacles he had to overcome, such as the creatures he had to kill.
In the 13th and 14th Stanzas he finds the castle after praying for it; the castle is described. And he calls out to the porter, his intentions to ask if he can stay there.
In 15 through 17 He is met and greeted by the Duke who gives Gawain a servant and has him taken to his room. He is given a nice room, treated with much respect from everyone in the castle, and they feast with him.
In Stanza 18 he notices the Lady and how beautiful she is, and he notices an old lady that is with her, he sees she is of great honor. This stanza shows the motif in literature of the description of ugly women.
19 through 23 show the relationship between Gawain and the Lady, and Gawain and the Duke, he convinces Gawain to stay longer and rest and feast with them.
In the last Stanza Gawain makes a bargain with the Duke that whatever the Duke wins while hunting he will give to Gawain, and whatever Gawain earns he will give to the Duke.
2. When Gawain stays at the castle, on his way to the Green Knights Chapel the Duke and his Lady play a game with him. They make a deal that whatever the Duke wins while out hunting he will give to Gawain, and whatever Gawain wins while staying at the castle, he will give to the Duke. This in a way shows that the Duke is setting Gawain up, while he is hunting he has something to win honestly, whatever he manages to kill. But Gawain, staying in his castle has nothing to win that can be done in an honorable way. He is getting attention from the Duke’s Lady but trying to remain respectful so he cannot give in to the temptations of the Lady because that would not be an honest thing to do. In a way he might feel that he has to have something to give to the Duke because he made a deal.
3. While Gawain is on his journey he comes across many different creatures that he knows are violent enough that he must kill them. In the Christian faith, creatures such as dragons (which Gawain fights) can be symbols of Demons. Gawain fighting these creatures relates to the theme of Good vs. Evil; Gawain as a warrior, and on his way to uphold a deal which is Good, while these creatures, or demons are trying to destroy him. Because Gawain is fighting the Evil creatures, he has the help of God on his side.
4. In the first section Gawain is very modest. He doesn’t let Arthur take up the deal, instead he does because he says he is not as important as Arthur. “I am the weakest and the least in wit; Loss of my life is therefore of little account.” Line 354. He is acting as if his life is of no importance, when in fact it is. He is a great, known warrior of the round table but he is not acting like it. Warriors in general have confidence and are somewhat cocky.
In the second fit while he is staying at the castle he acts differently. He lets the people take care of him and treat him like a noble Warrior. He takes advantage of everything they offer him, such as a well-known knight should. He does not have the mind set that he is not important and his life means anything which he perhaps either only gets when he is around Arthur because he is King; or he only pretends while around Arthur to make Arthur feel more important. Gawain may be trying to be a good knight to his king by making himself seem so much lower in comparison. “I am, by birth, your nephew; besides that, nothing. My one virtue, your blood that runs in my veins.” Line 356 Gawain may say these things to his King to seem as a noble Warrior who is put in his place, but when he is at the castle on his journey he cannot act as if he has no confidence because he will not be respected which is very important for a warrior.
5. Arthur’s castle, where Gawain lives is a place where Gawain knows he is respected because he is a knight of the round table. It would have been easy for him to not take the challenge from the Green Knight, because Arthur accepted it. Gawain might have felt that it was his duty to take the challenge instead of Arthur because he is related to Arthur, who is King. He may feel like if he didn’t take the challenge he would not be worthy to be related to the King. For Gawain, Arthur’s castle could be a place of comfort because he knows he is respected, but also a place where he feels not good enough.
Gawain’s journey to the Green Knight could represent the second part of the challenge. The first being him taking the challenge; but the hardship of he journey showing that it would be easier for him to just go home. During his travels he comes across many creatures he must kill, he has to sleep in his armor on the ground, in the cold. Gawain does not have to even go to the Green Knight, it was a deal and the Green Knight left it up to him to see if he would show up. Him going would prove that he was honest in upholding a deal, and noble. His travels showed that if he were a coward and a wimp he would just turned back because he was not forced to follow through.
The castle that he finds is the third part of the challenge. The Duke treats him so well by letting him stay and feast every night and being overly hospitable to him. He is also getting extra attention from the Lady who claims she Loves him and sneaks into his room at night. The Duke convinces Gawain to stay more then he planned and tried again but Gawain said no. It would have been easy for Gawain to give in to the temptations of the castle. He felt very important with the attention he was getting for his quest, and he was constantly being tempted by the extremely beautiful Lady.
The next two Stanzas show the motif of the arming of the warrior; they describe his armor in detail.
The next two describe his shield with the pentangle and what it represents, and also the Virgin Mary on the other side of the shield.
Stanzas 8-11 talk about Gawain’s travels through the country, the obstacles he had to overcome, such as the creatures he had to kill.
In the 13th and 14th Stanzas he finds the castle after praying for it; the castle is described. And he calls out to the porter, his intentions to ask if he can stay there.
In 15 through 17 He is met and greeted by the Duke who gives Gawain a servant and has him taken to his room. He is given a nice room, treated with much respect from everyone in the castle, and they feast with him.
In Stanza 18 he notices the Lady and how beautiful she is, and he notices an old lady that is with her, he sees she is of great honor. This stanza shows the motif in literature of the description of ugly women.
19 through 23 show the relationship between Gawain and the Lady, and Gawain and the Duke, he convinces Gawain to stay longer and rest and feast with them.
In the last Stanza Gawain makes a bargain with the Duke that whatever the Duke wins while hunting he will give to Gawain, and whatever Gawain earns he will give to the Duke.
2. When Gawain stays at the castle, on his way to the Green Knights Chapel the Duke and his Lady play a game with him. They make a deal that whatever the Duke wins while out hunting he will give to Gawain, and whatever Gawain wins while staying at the castle, he will give to the Duke. This in a way shows that the Duke is setting Gawain up, while he is hunting he has something to win honestly, whatever he manages to kill. But Gawain, staying in his castle has nothing to win that can be done in an honorable way. He is getting attention from the Duke’s Lady but trying to remain respectful so he cannot give in to the temptations of the Lady because that would not be an honest thing to do. In a way he might feel that he has to have something to give to the Duke because he made a deal.
3. While Gawain is on his journey he comes across many different creatures that he knows are violent enough that he must kill them. In the Christian faith, creatures such as dragons (which Gawain fights) can be symbols of Demons. Gawain fighting these creatures relates to the theme of Good vs. Evil; Gawain as a warrior, and on his way to uphold a deal which is Good, while these creatures, or demons are trying to destroy him. Because Gawain is fighting the Evil creatures, he has the help of God on his side.
4. In the first section Gawain is very modest. He doesn’t let Arthur take up the deal, instead he does because he says he is not as important as Arthur. “I am the weakest and the least in wit; Loss of my life is therefore of little account.” Line 354. He is acting as if his life is of no importance, when in fact it is. He is a great, known warrior of the round table but he is not acting like it. Warriors in general have confidence and are somewhat cocky.
In the second fit while he is staying at the castle he acts differently. He lets the people take care of him and treat him like a noble Warrior. He takes advantage of everything they offer him, such as a well-known knight should. He does not have the mind set that he is not important and his life means anything which he perhaps either only gets when he is around Arthur because he is King; or he only pretends while around Arthur to make Arthur feel more important. Gawain may be trying to be a good knight to his king by making himself seem so much lower in comparison. “I am, by birth, your nephew; besides that, nothing. My one virtue, your blood that runs in my veins.” Line 356 Gawain may say these things to his King to seem as a noble Warrior who is put in his place, but when he is at the castle on his journey he cannot act as if he has no confidence because he will not be respected which is very important for a warrior.
5. Arthur’s castle, where Gawain lives is a place where Gawain knows he is respected because he is a knight of the round table. It would have been easy for him to not take the challenge from the Green Knight, because Arthur accepted it. Gawain might have felt that it was his duty to take the challenge instead of Arthur because he is related to Arthur, who is King. He may feel like if he didn’t take the challenge he would not be worthy to be related to the King. For Gawain, Arthur’s castle could be a place of comfort because he knows he is respected, but also a place where he feels not good enough.
Gawain’s journey to the Green Knight could represent the second part of the challenge. The first being him taking the challenge; but the hardship of he journey showing that it would be easier for him to just go home. During his travels he comes across many creatures he must kill, he has to sleep in his armor on the ground, in the cold. Gawain does not have to even go to the Green Knight, it was a deal and the Green Knight left it up to him to see if he would show up. Him going would prove that he was honest in upholding a deal, and noble. His travels showed that if he were a coward and a wimp he would just turned back because he was not forced to follow through.
The castle that he finds is the third part of the challenge. The Duke treats him so well by letting him stay and feast every night and being overly hospitable to him. He is also getting extra attention from the Lady who claims she Loves him and sneaks into his room at night. The Duke convinces Gawain to stay more then he planned and tried again but Gawain said no. It would have been easy for Gawain to give in to the temptations of the castle. He felt very important with the attention he was getting for his quest, and he was constantly being tempted by the extremely beautiful Lady.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Beowulf Comparisons
The Finnesburh Fragment
This story appears in Beowulf. It is about Finn, king of the Friesians, Hnaef, king of the Danes, Hildeburh, Hnaef's sister and Finn's wife, and Hildeburh and Finn's son. It is simialr to Beowulf if you think of Hnaef as Beowulf, he goes to another kingdom where he and his men are attacked in their hall when trying to sleep. Beowulf is there to fight Grendal while Hnaef is there to visit his sister who was given to Finn as a peace pledge after a feud between the two kingdoms. But Beowulf is attacked by Grendal while Hnaef and his men are attacked by Finn's men. Hnaef is killed and his men are left without a king, Beowulf was in fact not killed during his first battle in the hall but he was killed, leaving his men kingless. Both kings are burned in a Pyre with gold and treasure. Both share the theme the Roles of Warriors while in Beowulf only the one warrior went back to help him and fight for him when the others ran away and all of Hnaef's men fought for him in battle and avenged their king by killing Finn.
Widsith
Widsith the warrior can be compared to Beowulf in multiple ways. First he is a great warrior, he is known everywhere. He goes and fights with other leaders and is given treasures for his success. He is not king material just like Beowulf because he is obsessed with his own fame and glory. He fights battles so people will know his name, and continues to keep his reputation. "He who wins fame has lasting glory under the heavens." This quote is the last sentence in the poem, much like the last sentence in Beowulf "...kindest to people and keenest to win fame."
Grettir the Strong
This story is very much like Beowulf. Grettir goes to Eyjardalsa to fight the troll woman. The troll is killing all the men that live there. She represets the motif that women are evil. This is just like how Beowulf travels to kill Grendal who is also killing men while they're sleeping. He ends up ripping off her arm and the troll runs away. The troll could represent all the three monsters that Beowulf fought because after that he fights the troll under a waterfall and kills it, much like Grendal's mother. He then finds a treasure hoard she had in her lair just like the dragon. He even brought back the troll's bones to prove she's dead.
This story appears in Beowulf. It is about Finn, king of the Friesians, Hnaef, king of the Danes, Hildeburh, Hnaef's sister and Finn's wife, and Hildeburh and Finn's son. It is simialr to Beowulf if you think of Hnaef as Beowulf, he goes to another kingdom where he and his men are attacked in their hall when trying to sleep. Beowulf is there to fight Grendal while Hnaef is there to visit his sister who was given to Finn as a peace pledge after a feud between the two kingdoms. But Beowulf is attacked by Grendal while Hnaef and his men are attacked by Finn's men. Hnaef is killed and his men are left without a king, Beowulf was in fact not killed during his first battle in the hall but he was killed, leaving his men kingless. Both kings are burned in a Pyre with gold and treasure. Both share the theme the Roles of Warriors while in Beowulf only the one warrior went back to help him and fight for him when the others ran away and all of Hnaef's men fought for him in battle and avenged their king by killing Finn.
Widsith
Widsith the warrior can be compared to Beowulf in multiple ways. First he is a great warrior, he is known everywhere. He goes and fights with other leaders and is given treasures for his success. He is not king material just like Beowulf because he is obsessed with his own fame and glory. He fights battles so people will know his name, and continues to keep his reputation. "He who wins fame has lasting glory under the heavens." This quote is the last sentence in the poem, much like the last sentence in Beowulf "...kindest to people and keenest to win fame."
Grettir the Strong
This story is very much like Beowulf. Grettir goes to Eyjardalsa to fight the troll woman. The troll is killing all the men that live there. She represets the motif that women are evil. This is just like how Beowulf travels to kill Grendal who is also killing men while they're sleeping. He ends up ripping off her arm and the troll runs away. The troll could represent all the three monsters that Beowulf fought because after that he fights the troll under a waterfall and kills it, much like Grendal's mother. He then finds a treasure hoard she had in her lair just like the dragon. He even brought back the troll's bones to prove she's dead.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Dialectical Journal
Pg. 139 Line 2029 "But generally the spear is prompt to retaliate when a prince is killed, no matter how admirable the bride may be."
After the feud between the Shieldings and the Heathobards, the Shieldings gave them Ingeld as a peace pledge. But at the wedding when the Heathobards see the Shiedlings in their men's armour the old flame of battle is going to be rekindled. It won't matter how beautiful she is, it won't stop the men from being angered again and want revenge. This foreshdows another feud.
Pg. 203 Line 3003 " In days gone by when our warriors fell and we were undefended he kept our coffers and our kingdom safe. He worked for the people, but as well as that he behaved like a hero."
Beowulf kept his people safe always, but the problem was that he fought all the battles. Every time something was a threat Beowulf him self would take care of it so his warriors had no experience fighting. He was a hero when it came to battle, not a king. A king leads his men and trains them to be the best. Beowulf was a hero because he wanted the fame and the boasting of winning the battles by himself. He was a good warrior but was he a good king?
Pg. 203 Line 3023 "...but the raven winging darkly over the doomed will have news, tidings for the eagle of how he hooked and ate, how the wolf and he made short work of the dead."
The raven is a symbol of death and evil and the Eagle is a symbol courage and heroism. The dragon could be seen as the raven because it is causing doom and death around the kingdom and it kills Beowulf, and Beowulf is the eagle, he is couragous and fights the raven but is killed.
Pg. 209 Line 3120 "Next the wise son of Weohstan called from among the king's thanes a group of seven: he selected the best and entered with them, the eighth of their number..." Wiglaf thoses these seven men and he becomes the eighth of them to enter "under the God-cursed roof" to dispose of the Dragon and collect the tresure to burn it with Beowulf. The number eight is said to symbolizes man's ability to transcend the limitations of physical existence. This could represent the idea that Beowulf because he was blessed by God, was able to go beyond the limits of men so these eight men going down to honor Beowulf could represent the power that he had.
Pg. 211 Line 3153 "...her nation invaded, enemies on the rampage, bodies in piles, slavery and abasement." This is a foreshadow that their nation will be taken over. The people know that once word gets out that Beowulf is dead, the other countries will invade them. Beowulf, as a King did not train his warriors to be true warriors. After all the men ran away they know that they will be taken advantage of. Their men will be killed and their people taken and forced to be slaves.
Pg. 213 Line 3169 "Then twelve warriors rode around the tomb, chieftain's sons, champions in battle, all of them distraught, chanting in dirges, mourning the loss as a man and a king."
These twelve men could represent the twelve diciples, who were picked, named, and trained by Jesus to be sent on a mission and spread "good news". The men in Beowulf rode on their horses and chanted out Beowulf and told about all his heroic sxploits and shared memories of him with people to make them aware of everything he did.
After the feud between the Shieldings and the Heathobards, the Shieldings gave them Ingeld as a peace pledge. But at the wedding when the Heathobards see the Shiedlings in their men's armour the old flame of battle is going to be rekindled. It won't matter how beautiful she is, it won't stop the men from being angered again and want revenge. This foreshdows another feud.
Pg. 203 Line 3003 " In days gone by when our warriors fell and we were undefended he kept our coffers and our kingdom safe. He worked for the people, but as well as that he behaved like a hero."
Beowulf kept his people safe always, but the problem was that he fought all the battles. Every time something was a threat Beowulf him self would take care of it so his warriors had no experience fighting. He was a hero when it came to battle, not a king. A king leads his men and trains them to be the best. Beowulf was a hero because he wanted the fame and the boasting of winning the battles by himself. He was a good warrior but was he a good king?
Pg. 203 Line 3023 "...but the raven winging darkly over the doomed will have news, tidings for the eagle of how he hooked and ate, how the wolf and he made short work of the dead."
The raven is a symbol of death and evil and the Eagle is a symbol courage and heroism. The dragon could be seen as the raven because it is causing doom and death around the kingdom and it kills Beowulf, and Beowulf is the eagle, he is couragous and fights the raven but is killed.
Pg. 209 Line 3120 "Next the wise son of Weohstan called from among the king's thanes a group of seven: he selected the best and entered with them, the eighth of their number..." Wiglaf thoses these seven men and he becomes the eighth of them to enter "under the God-cursed roof" to dispose of the Dragon and collect the tresure to burn it with Beowulf. The number eight is said to symbolizes man's ability to transcend the limitations of physical existence. This could represent the idea that Beowulf because he was blessed by God, was able to go beyond the limits of men so these eight men going down to honor Beowulf could represent the power that he had.
Pg. 211 Line 3153 "...her nation invaded, enemies on the rampage, bodies in piles, slavery and abasement." This is a foreshadow that their nation will be taken over. The people know that once word gets out that Beowulf is dead, the other countries will invade them. Beowulf, as a King did not train his warriors to be true warriors. After all the men ran away they know that they will be taken advantage of. Their men will be killed and their people taken and forced to be slaves.
Pg. 213 Line 3169 "Then twelve warriors rode around the tomb, chieftain's sons, champions in battle, all of them distraught, chanting in dirges, mourning the loss as a man and a king."
These twelve men could represent the twelve diciples, who were picked, named, and trained by Jesus to be sent on a mission and spread "good news". The men in Beowulf rode on their horses and chanted out Beowulf and told about all his heroic sxploits and shared memories of him with people to make them aware of everything he did.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dialectical Journal
Queen Modthryth represents a bad Queen. She killed men just for looking at her. She had a strange relationship with her father as her Lord. She represented evil until she was finally married away, which may represnt the fact that women are natrually evil until they are married to a man because men are "good". Modthrthy is also a dynamic character.
Pg. 159 Line 2345 "Yet the prince of the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague."
Beowulf had to much pride to let his men fight with him against the Dragon. He has accomplished so much on his own, won all of his battles by himself. Even though he is old and knows this will be his hardest battle and there is a good chance of his not surviving he still risks it for his pride and his reputation. He represents a good king.
The one man from Beowulf's army the stays while the others run away, and helps Beowulf kill the Dragon represents the theme of a Good Warrior. He is the only one that is loyal to Beowulf. The others run away which will give them a bad reputation. Afterward he is a son-like figure to Beowulf because he gives his armour to him and he becomes king which is what Beowulf's son would have gotten.
Beowulf is related to a figure of Jesus when he fights the Dragon. He sacrifices his life to save his people from the Dragon who is wreaking havoc on them.
Beowulf did not use a weapon against Grendal because Grendal was cursed and the weapons did not work on him. When Beowulf fought against Grendal's mother his sword failed him and he ended up using a magic sword he found in her lair. Then when he fought the Dragon, his sword failed him again. It was not powerful enough to pierce the dragons skin. This represents the failure of swords in the story. Possibly the reason why Beowulf's swords do not work is because he is blessed by god and not meant to use weapons because god has to weapons but himself.
Pg. 159 Line 2345 "Yet the prince of the rings was too proud to line up with a large army against the sky-plague."
Beowulf had to much pride to let his men fight with him against the Dragon. He has accomplished so much on his own, won all of his battles by himself. Even though he is old and knows this will be his hardest battle and there is a good chance of his not surviving he still risks it for his pride and his reputation. He represents a good king.
The one man from Beowulf's army the stays while the others run away, and helps Beowulf kill the Dragon represents the theme of a Good Warrior. He is the only one that is loyal to Beowulf. The others run away which will give them a bad reputation. Afterward he is a son-like figure to Beowulf because he gives his armour to him and he becomes king which is what Beowulf's son would have gotten.
Beowulf is related to a figure of Jesus when he fights the Dragon. He sacrifices his life to save his people from the Dragon who is wreaking havoc on them.
Beowulf did not use a weapon against Grendal because Grendal was cursed and the weapons did not work on him. When Beowulf fought against Grendal's mother his sword failed him and he ended up using a magic sword he found in her lair. Then when he fought the Dragon, his sword failed him again. It was not powerful enough to pierce the dragons skin. This represents the failure of swords in the story. Possibly the reason why Beowulf's swords do not work is because he is blessed by god and not meant to use weapons because god has to weapons but himself.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Lit Terms
Allegory- A narrative that serves as an extended metaphor. Allegories are written in the form of fables, parables, poems, stories, and almost any other style or genre. The main purpose of an allegory is to tell a story that has characters, a setting, as well as other types of symbols, that have both literal and figurative meanings.
Example- Dante’s The Divine Comedy
Alliteration- A pattern of sound that includes the repetition of consonant sounds. The repetition can be located at the beginning of successive words or inside the words.
Example- Sir Phillip Sidney's Astrophel and Stella, the poet states: "Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite"
Allusion- A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature.
Example- Dante’s Inferno. Dante alludes to the Greek mythological figures, Phaethon and Icarus.
Ambiguity- An expression who’s meaning cannot be determined from its context.
Antagonist- a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works again the main character, or protagonist, in some way.
Example- An antagonist in the story of Genesis is the serpent. He convinces Eve to disobey God, setting off a chain of events.that leads to Adam and Eve being banished from paradise.
Analogy- A comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Example- In Beowulf they compare the ocean to a road.
Apostrophe- Words that are spoken to a person who is absent or imaginary, or to an object or abstract idea.
Example- Macbeth
Archetype- An original that has been imitated.
Example- Beowulf
Example- Dante’s The Divine Comedy
Alliteration- A pattern of sound that includes the repetition of consonant sounds. The repetition can be located at the beginning of successive words or inside the words.
Example- Sir Phillip Sidney's Astrophel and Stella, the poet states: "Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite"
Allusion- A reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature.
Example- Dante’s Inferno. Dante alludes to the Greek mythological figures, Phaethon and Icarus.
Ambiguity- An expression who’s meaning cannot be determined from its context.
Antagonist- a character in a story or poem who deceives, frustrates, or works again the main character, or protagonist, in some way.
Example- An antagonist in the story of Genesis is the serpent. He convinces Eve to disobey God, setting off a chain of events.that leads to Adam and Eve being banished from paradise.
Analogy- A comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Example- In Beowulf they compare the ocean to a road.
Apostrophe- Words that are spoken to a person who is absent or imaginary, or to an object or abstract idea.
Example- Macbeth
Archetype- An original that has been imitated.
Example- Beowulf
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dialectical Journal
I think that Beowulf is a symbol of God. Or at least he symbolizes a god to his people and Danes. He comes in and kills all three beasts that were causing trouble when no one else can kill them. He is the greatest fighter anyone had ever known. He is the savior of the people. Many times when they refer to Beowulf in the story they also refer to god. Pg. 63 line 928“I suffered a long harrowing by Grendal. But the Heavenly Shephard can work His wonders always and everywhere.”
Pg. 63 Line 941 “Whoever she was who brought forth this flower of manhood, if she is still alive , that woman can say that in her labour the Lord of Ages bestowed a grace on her.”
Hrothgar says this about Beowulf’s mother. This is basically saying that Beowulf was blessed from birth. He was born to be a great fighter and then only one that can kill Grendal and his Mother who have been cursed by god.
Grendal’s mother remains nameless, and so does Hrothgar’s sister, she is the only one of her three siblings who they don’t tell us her name. And even though Grendal’s mother is an important character she still doesn’t have a name. This represents the role of women. The women’s name’s don’t matter because they are just used as people to serve men. But Grendal’s mother represents what a woman should not be like because she collects Wergild and is evil but yet, she still is nameless. Women have no respect.
Pg. 89 Line 1259 “Grendal’s mother, mostorous hell-bride…”
Grendal’s mother, cursed by god, evil, symbolizes a devil-like figure. Her lair, at the bottom on the ocean is hell. She is like the devil’s bride.
Pg. 95 Line 1355 “They are fatherless creatures…”
This is referring to the creatures that are the offspring of Cain. They have no God. God will not accept them, in fact he has bashished them and cursed them. They will never go to heaven. They live in hell while on earth, and will go to hell when they die.
Pg. 63 Line 941 “Whoever she was who brought forth this flower of manhood, if she is still alive , that woman can say that in her labour the Lord of Ages bestowed a grace on her.”
Hrothgar says this about Beowulf’s mother. This is basically saying that Beowulf was blessed from birth. He was born to be a great fighter and then only one that can kill Grendal and his Mother who have been cursed by god.
Grendal’s mother remains nameless, and so does Hrothgar’s sister, she is the only one of her three siblings who they don’t tell us her name. And even though Grendal’s mother is an important character she still doesn’t have a name. This represents the role of women. The women’s name’s don’t matter because they are just used as people to serve men. But Grendal’s mother represents what a woman should not be like because she collects Wergild and is evil but yet, she still is nameless. Women have no respect.
Pg. 89 Line 1259 “Grendal’s mother, mostorous hell-bride…”
Grendal’s mother, cursed by god, evil, symbolizes a devil-like figure. Her lair, at the bottom on the ocean is hell. She is like the devil’s bride.
Pg. 95 Line 1355 “They are fatherless creatures…”
This is referring to the creatures that are the offspring of Cain. They have no God. God will not accept them, in fact he has bashished them and cursed them. They will never go to heaven. They live in hell while on earth, and will go to hell when they die.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Dialectical Journal
Pg. 35 line 517 "You vied for seven nights; and then he outswam you, came ashore the stronger contendor." "No one has ever outlasted an entire night against Grendal."
Unferth says these things to Beowulf, the first one about a seven day swim against someone else. He says Beowulf lost. And the second one shows that he has little faith in Beowulf or just that he is jealous. Both times he is taunting, or flinting him. Beowulf then shuts him down and proves he is a pathetic liar. Unferth shows what a warrior is no supposed to be; a liar, envious, a coward, and a kin killer. Beowulf is the oppposite of Unferth.
Pg 41 lines 607-631
Even though Wealtheow is the Queen of the Danes she still has to serve the men in the mead hall. This represents the theme of The role of Women. It doesn't matter that she is the queen, she is still treated worse that other people. She is also a peace pledge which makes her a symbol of peace.
Pg. 53 line 801 "no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their opponent."
Grendal has the mark of Kain, he is cursed by god and cannot be killed by the men's arms. This represents the theme of good vs. evil. Kain was evil and his offspring payed the prince by being cursed by god who is "good" and is trying to make justice.
Pg. 45 line 669 "And the Geat places complete trust in his strength of limb and the Lord's favour."
Beowulf is not worried, he has trust in the strength God gave him.
Grendal was cursed by god, and weapons cannot kill him. If Grendal cannot be killed by anything except Beowulf, does that mean Beowulf is blessed by god?
Pg. 57 line 850 "...drowned out his life and his heathen soul: hell claimed him there."
Grendal lives at his swamp because he is a cursed monster. He lives his life like that, not being able to enjoy regular human things. He goes back to his swamp to die and is taken to hell, his swamp could represent a hell on earth. Where the cursed, condemned monsters live until someone finally kills them.
Unferth says these things to Beowulf, the first one about a seven day swim against someone else. He says Beowulf lost. And the second one shows that he has little faith in Beowulf or just that he is jealous. Both times he is taunting, or flinting him. Beowulf then shuts him down and proves he is a pathetic liar. Unferth shows what a warrior is no supposed to be; a liar, envious, a coward, and a kin killer. Beowulf is the oppposite of Unferth.
Pg 41 lines 607-631
Even though Wealtheow is the Queen of the Danes she still has to serve the men in the mead hall. This represents the theme of The role of Women. It doesn't matter that she is the queen, she is still treated worse that other people. She is also a peace pledge which makes her a symbol of peace.
Pg. 53 line 801 "no blade on earth, no blacksmith's art could ever damage their opponent."
Grendal has the mark of Kain, he is cursed by god and cannot be killed by the men's arms. This represents the theme of good vs. evil. Kain was evil and his offspring payed the prince by being cursed by god who is "good" and is trying to make justice.
Pg. 45 line 669 "And the Geat places complete trust in his strength of limb and the Lord's favour."
Beowulf is not worried, he has trust in the strength God gave him.
Grendal was cursed by god, and weapons cannot kill him. If Grendal cannot be killed by anything except Beowulf, does that mean Beowulf is blessed by god?
Pg. 57 line 850 "...drowned out his life and his heathen soul: hell claimed him there."
Grendal lives at his swamp because he is a cursed monster. He lives his life like that, not being able to enjoy regular human things. He goes back to his swamp to die and is taken to hell, his swamp could represent a hell on earth. Where the cursed, condemned monsters live until someone finally kills them.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Dialectical Journal
Pg. 13 line 168 "...but the throne itself, the treasure-seat, he was kept from approaching; he was the Lord's outcast."
This represents christianity because the throne is blessed and Grendal is cursed which means he cannot touch the throne which also plays into Good vs. Evil. It could also show Banishment because god has cursed Grendal so he cannot be like normal poeple and enjoy people things.
Pg. 25 line 349 "I am ready and willing to report my errand." Pg. 31 line 435 "... to heighten Hygelac's fame..."
These lines show that Beowulf wants to fight Grendal only for fame. He refers to it as an errand, something he is doing not because he simply wants to help the Danes but if he wins he will have more to boast about. It also fits into the theme of the duties of Warriors.
Pg. 27 line 380 "with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand."
Hrothgar says he has heard this about Beowulf. Thirty is the same number of men Grendal killed earlier which means that Beowulf is twice the match for Grendal.
Pg. 27 line 393 "My lord... bids me announce that he knows your ancestry."
This is another line showing that the main reason that Hrothgar let Beowulf and his man in because Beowulf is famous and his men have nice weapons. If they weren't famous and were poor would he have let them in? What if poor weak men came and killed Grendal when he couldn't? that would give him a bad image which represents the theme of pride, it's okay for him to have another man fight his battle against Grendal becaue Beowulf is famous and "formidable"
Pg. 29 lines 408-424 "When I was younger, I had great triumphs... (Their enemies brought it upon themselves, I destroyed them.)"
This is the beginging of Beowulf's epic boast. Which represents his pride.
This represents christianity because the throne is blessed and Grendal is cursed which means he cannot touch the throne which also plays into Good vs. Evil. It could also show Banishment because god has cursed Grendal so he cannot be like normal poeple and enjoy people things.
Pg. 25 line 349 "I am ready and willing to report my errand." Pg. 31 line 435 "... to heighten Hygelac's fame..."
These lines show that Beowulf wants to fight Grendal only for fame. He refers to it as an errand, something he is doing not because he simply wants to help the Danes but if he wins he will have more to boast about. It also fits into the theme of the duties of Warriors.
Pg. 27 line 380 "with the strength of thirty in the grip of each hand."
Hrothgar says he has heard this about Beowulf. Thirty is the same number of men Grendal killed earlier which means that Beowulf is twice the match for Grendal.
Pg. 27 line 393 "My lord... bids me announce that he knows your ancestry."
This is another line showing that the main reason that Hrothgar let Beowulf and his man in because Beowulf is famous and his men have nice weapons. If they weren't famous and were poor would he have let them in? What if poor weak men came and killed Grendal when he couldn't? that would give him a bad image which represents the theme of pride, it's okay for him to have another man fight his battle against Grendal becaue Beowulf is famous and "formidable"
Pg. 29 lines 408-424 "When I was younger, I had great triumphs... (Their enemies brought it upon themselves, I destroyed them.)"
This is the beginging of Beowulf's epic boast. Which represents his pride.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Bran
Bendigeidfrân or Bran was the son of Llŷr who was once the King of Britain and his mother, Penarddun who was a fairy. He was the oldest sibling of five, which means he took the title as king of Britain. Because his mother was a fairy Bran, like his brothers was magic and had the power to change from man to giant. He was said to have never been able to be contained in a house or ship. He lead his whole army except seven men to battle with Ireland after agreeing to marry away his Sister Branwen the the king of Ireland and later finding out that she was being treated cruelly. He won the battle but paid the price of death to himself, his family, and nearly his entire army.
The Voyage of Bran
Bendigeidfrân is a symbol of strength/power, protection, and peace. He symbolizes strength and power because he is the King the Britain which gives him power over the people. And strength because he controls the army, and because he has super strength as a giant. He protects his sister after she is married away to the king of Ireland and finds out she is being treated bad and comes for her. He then continues to protect his people after he is dead by having them cut off his magic head and bury it to shield them from being attacked. Even though he declared war on Ireland he is still a man who likes to keep peace. When Matholwch, king of Ireland comes to Wales to ask to marry his sister and Bendigeidfrân's trouble making brother, Efnysien killes Matholwch's horses Bendigeidfrân makes it up to him by presenting him with gifts including the Couldron of Ressurection in order to keep peace between them.
I think Bran is a great king and brother. He presents the king of Ireland with many nice gifts to apologize for his brother. And he protects his sister and his people by giving his life in battle for them. He then tells them to cut off his magic head so they can use it for happiness and protection. All of these things show that he was a very noble and caring king and sibling.
Bran is used as a simile to a mountain. When he is walking across the water they said he looked like a moving mountain and his fleets of ships looked like a moving forest because there was so many of them.
The Voyage of Bran
Bendigeidfrân is a symbol of strength/power, protection, and peace. He symbolizes strength and power because he is the King the Britain which gives him power over the people. And strength because he controls the army, and because he has super strength as a giant. He protects his sister after she is married away to the king of Ireland and finds out she is being treated bad and comes for her. He then continues to protect his people after he is dead by having them cut off his magic head and bury it to shield them from being attacked. Even though he declared war on Ireland he is still a man who likes to keep peace. When Matholwch, king of Ireland comes to Wales to ask to marry his sister and Bendigeidfrân's trouble making brother, Efnysien killes Matholwch's horses Bendigeidfrân makes it up to him by presenting him with gifts including the Couldron of Ressurection in order to keep peace between them.I think Bran is a great king and brother. He presents the king of Ireland with many nice gifts to apologize for his brother. And he protects his sister and his people by giving his life in battle for them. He then tells them to cut off his magic head so they can use it for happiness and protection. All of these things show that he was a very noble and caring king and sibling.
Bran is used as a simile to a mountain. When he is walking across the water they said he looked like a moving mountain and his fleets of ships looked like a moving forest because there was so many of them.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Branwen Daughter of Llyer Motif
The motif of magic appears many times throughout the story of Branwen Daughter of Llyr. All the offspring of Llyer and the two half brothers have powers because their mother was a fairy. The first time is when after Branwen has been married and Mathowych treats her bad and makes her cook for him for years she uses magic to teach a bird who her brother is, the King of Whales. She then wrote a letter and put it in the bird’s feathers and had it bring the letter to her brother to let him know how bad she was being treated so he could save her.
After Bendigeifran received the letter he brought his whole army except seven men and went across the sea to Ireland to engage in battle and rescue his sister. He uses his magic powers to turn into a giant and walk across the water while the other men were in the ships. He then laid himself down across a river to be used as a bridge for his men.
After Bendigeifran and his men won the battle the Irish men agreed to build him a house big enough for him to fit in because he had never been contained in one before. But after they built it they hid inside it in bags planning to kill Bendigeifran. But his brother, Efnisien noticed these bags and he, being a giant as well killed all the men inside the bags by squishing them with his fingers. Then as the Irish men were putting their men inside the cauldron of resurrection Efnisien pretended to be dead so they would thrown him in, and when he got in he expanded himself into a giant and exploded the cauldron so they could not resurrect their men, but he died as he did it.
After the battle Bendigeifran was poisoned so he told his men to cut off his head because it was magic. So they did and they used it as protection.
After Bendigeifran received the letter he brought his whole army except seven men and went across the sea to Ireland to engage in battle and rescue his sister. He uses his magic powers to turn into a giant and walk across the water while the other men were in the ships. He then laid himself down across a river to be used as a bridge for his men.
After Bendigeifran and his men won the battle the Irish men agreed to build him a house big enough for him to fit in because he had never been contained in one before. But after they built it they hid inside it in bags planning to kill Bendigeifran. But his brother, Efnisien noticed these bags and he, being a giant as well killed all the men inside the bags by squishing them with his fingers. Then as the Irish men were putting their men inside the cauldron of resurrection Efnisien pretended to be dead so they would thrown him in, and when he got in he expanded himself into a giant and exploded the cauldron so they could not resurrect their men, but he died as he did it.
After the battle Bendigeifran was poisoned so he told his men to cut off his head because it was magic. So they did and they used it as protection.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Death of Chonchobhar
The Death of Chonchobhar
The Ulstermen and the men of Connaught were having great disputes; they were constantly engaged in battle. It was an Ulsterman custom to take out the brains of the warriors they killed in single combat and mix them with lime so they become hard balls; they would then keep the balls on a shelf. One day during battle, Conall from Ulster killed Meis-Geghra from Connaught, he made a ball with his brain and kept it on the shelf. The Ulstermen were very dunk one day and Conall demanded to have the brains of Meis-Geghra brought to him so him and the warriors could play with it.
Cet, the most troublesome monster in Ireland came to the Ulsterman for he foretold that Meis-Gegrha would avenge himself after his death and he snatched the ball from the warriors. The Ulstermen caught up with him but the men of Connaught were there to protect him and they engaged in battle again.
During the battle, Conchobhar, the king of Ulster was distracted by the women of Connaught. They begged him to come aside so they could look at him for he had the best figure, dress, size, eyes, hair, wisdom, good manners, speech, weapons, and dignity then any other man. Conchobhar had much pride so he went aside for the women to look at him. At this time Cet came with the brain ball of Meis-Geghra in a sling and slung it at Conchobhar’s head; two thirds of the brain ball were stuck in his head and he fell to the ground. The Ulstermen Carried him off the his doctor who told him that he could take the brain ball out but he would then die, or he could leave it in and he would live but would be disfigured. The men of Ulster decided that they would rather keep him alive and disfigured so the doctor sewed up his head with the same color thread as his hair. The doctor told him not to ride horseback, get to angry, mess around with women, or run. So Conchobhar sat in his seat for seven years in this state until one day he was told that the Jews crucified Christ. He was told that he was born on the same day as Christ, and he became so angry at the thought that Christ was killed that he jumped out of his seat, rampaged through a forest and cut it all down. Conchobar was so angry that the brain ball popped out of his head along with his own brains and he died.
The Ulstermen and the men of Connaught were having great disputes; they were constantly engaged in battle. It was an Ulsterman custom to take out the brains of the warriors they killed in single combat and mix them with lime so they become hard balls; they would then keep the balls on a shelf. One day during battle, Conall from Ulster killed Meis-Geghra from Connaught, he made a ball with his brain and kept it on the shelf. The Ulstermen were very dunk one day and Conall demanded to have the brains of Meis-Geghra brought to him so him and the warriors could play with it.
Cet, the most troublesome monster in Ireland came to the Ulsterman for he foretold that Meis-Gegrha would avenge himself after his death and he snatched the ball from the warriors. The Ulstermen caught up with him but the men of Connaught were there to protect him and they engaged in battle again.
During the battle, Conchobhar, the king of Ulster was distracted by the women of Connaught. They begged him to come aside so they could look at him for he had the best figure, dress, size, eyes, hair, wisdom, good manners, speech, weapons, and dignity then any other man. Conchobhar had much pride so he went aside for the women to look at him. At this time Cet came with the brain ball of Meis-Geghra in a sling and slung it at Conchobhar’s head; two thirds of the brain ball were stuck in his head and he fell to the ground. The Ulstermen Carried him off the his doctor who told him that he could take the brain ball out but he would then die, or he could leave it in and he would live but would be disfigured. The men of Ulster decided that they would rather keep him alive and disfigured so the doctor sewed up his head with the same color thread as his hair. The doctor told him not to ride horseback, get to angry, mess around with women, or run. So Conchobhar sat in his seat for seven years in this state until one day he was told that the Jews crucified Christ. He was told that he was born on the same day as Christ, and he became so angry at the thought that Christ was killed that he jumped out of his seat, rampaged through a forest and cut it all down. Conchobar was so angry that the brain ball popped out of his head along with his own brains and he died.
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