• Blog – Compare Luke Skywalker to Beowulf. What makes them different? Do they share any traits in common? How are they both heroic?
Luke Skywalker and Beowulf are similar in several ways, but also very different. They are both called to action, but this can also be seen as a difference. While both Luke and Beowulf were called to action both acted in a very different way. Luke was to go with Obi-Wan-Kenobi to help Princess Leah. Luke was very reluctant to go and help because he wanted to stay on his own planet. On the other hand Beowulf willingly goes to help Hrothgar and to kill Grendel. The next difference would be Luke and Beowulf’s physical appearance. Luke is like a “normal” human being, meaning that he is not overly huge and fierce looking. Beowulf is just the opposite. Beowulf is huge, and intimidating. With these differences in the end both of these heroes face the challenge they were presented with despite being unwilling or willing.
Some of the similarities between Luke and Beowulf are that both received a mystical weapon. Luke received a light saber from Obi-Wan-Kenobi and Beowulf received a giant sword when fighting. Beowulf also has strength and courage, which can be seen as a mystic weapon. As said above they were both called to action, which is the second step in the hero cycle. Another way in that these two are similar is that both have a spiritual guide. Luke’s spiritual guide is Obi-Wan-Kenobi and for Beowulf it is fate. Luke’s spiritual guide helps him through the beginning of his journey by teaching him to use the force. Beowulf knows that he needed to help Hrothgar and hill Grendel, and later his mother, so that is how fate drove Beowulf.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Blog 2
• Blog – Comment on Wiglaf’s character throughout the end of the book. Is he honorable or heroic like Beowulf or does he display an additional set of values?
Wiglaf is definitely honorable throughout the end of the book. Wiglaf, unlike the other warriors stayed to fight alongside Beowulf. He was the only one willing to risk his life to help his ruler. Wiglaf then rightly accuses them of running when they vowed to fight. When Beowulf laid dying Wiglaf tries to comfort him and although Wiglaf is not Beowulf’s offspring, Beowulf thinks of him as a son, and passed control of the Geats to Wiglaf. I feel that Wiglaf earned the right to rule, rather than just inherit it. One why that Wiglaf showed honor/loyalty was when Beowulf sent him to get some of the treasure. Wiglaf could have easily taken some for himself, but instead did just what Beowulf asked of him and brought the treasure to him. Even though Wiglaf may not be as mighty as his predecessor, he certainly lacks nothing in courage and loyalty. I think that Wiglaf is very similar to Beowulf excluding Beowulf’s strength. Beowulf showed loyalty when he came to the assistance of the Danes and also when he returned to Greatland. Wiglaf shows the same loyalty when he stands beside Beowulf to fight the dragon. While it is Beowulf’s last battle Wiglaf goes on and directs Beowulf’s funeral. So not only has Wiglaf been loyal to Beowulf while Beowulf is alive, but also carries it to Beowulf’s death. At the end of the book Wiglaf condemns the ten men to exile, disowning them and denying their future rights to property and wealth, stating that it is better to die than it is to live in shame. “So it is goodbye to all you know and love on your home ground…every one of you will be dispossessed…a warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame.” (Pg. 195) This would be a saying that Beowulf would and did support so this shows that Wiglaf definitely has what it takes to replace Beowulf.
Wiglaf is definitely honorable throughout the end of the book. Wiglaf, unlike the other warriors stayed to fight alongside Beowulf. He was the only one willing to risk his life to help his ruler. Wiglaf then rightly accuses them of running when they vowed to fight. When Beowulf laid dying Wiglaf tries to comfort him and although Wiglaf is not Beowulf’s offspring, Beowulf thinks of him as a son, and passed control of the Geats to Wiglaf. I feel that Wiglaf earned the right to rule, rather than just inherit it. One why that Wiglaf showed honor/loyalty was when Beowulf sent him to get some of the treasure. Wiglaf could have easily taken some for himself, but instead did just what Beowulf asked of him and brought the treasure to him. Even though Wiglaf may not be as mighty as his predecessor, he certainly lacks nothing in courage and loyalty. I think that Wiglaf is very similar to Beowulf excluding Beowulf’s strength. Beowulf showed loyalty when he came to the assistance of the Danes and also when he returned to Greatland. Wiglaf shows the same loyalty when he stands beside Beowulf to fight the dragon. While it is Beowulf’s last battle Wiglaf goes on and directs Beowulf’s funeral. So not only has Wiglaf been loyal to Beowulf while Beowulf is alive, but also carries it to Beowulf’s death. At the end of the book Wiglaf condemns the ten men to exile, disowning them and denying their future rights to property and wealth, stating that it is better to die than it is to live in shame. “So it is goodbye to all you know and love on your home ground…every one of you will be dispossessed…a warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame.” (Pg. 195) This would be a saying that Beowulf would and did support so this shows that Wiglaf definitely has what it takes to replace Beowulf.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Beowulf 1
• Blog – At the opening of this excerpt, Unferth tries to tarnish Beowulf’s reputation by discussing his swimming match with Breca. Why would Unferth do this? How does Beowulf respond? How does his response contribute to his persona as a hero?
During the celebration, Unferth (one of Hrothgars retainers) interrupts the celebration to insult Beowulf’s reputation. Unferth talks about a swimming match when Beowulf was young, with another boy whose name was Breca. Unferth asserts that Beowulf was foolish to enter such a dangerous contest. Unferth also emphasized that Breca was the stronger one by beating Beowulf in seven nights. (Pg. 35) Unferth is telling everyone this story because Unferth concludes that if Beowulf couldn’t win a swimming match, then Beowulf could not possibly be any challenge for Grendel, who lives at the bottom of a lake. So swimming may prove to be an important part in the fight if Beowulf concludes to fight Grendel. Beowulf responds by first isolating the problem. Beowulf goes on to say that it “was mostly beer that was doing the talking.” (Pg. 37) Beowulf then went on to correct parts of Unferth’s story. Beowulf tells that each of them had a sword and body armor for protection from the monsters at sea. Beowulf also stated that the two swam together for five nights, not seven. Beowulf told about how the two of them were eventually pulled apart from each other by the rough seas. Beowulf told stories of how sea monsters tried to attack him and he is eventually saved by ‘fate’ after hilling nine monsters. Beowulf then goes back to addressing Unferth by saying that he has not heard of any such an achievement by him and that Unferth had killed his own brothers. Beowulf then says to Unferth that if his battle spirit were as sharp as his words Grendel may not have been so successful against King Hrothgar. This response to Unferth has shown how Beowulf is a hero. He showed admirable restraint without backing down, and Beowulf’s verbal attacks focused on Unferth.
During the celebration, Unferth (one of Hrothgars retainers) interrupts the celebration to insult Beowulf’s reputation. Unferth talks about a swimming match when Beowulf was young, with another boy whose name was Breca. Unferth asserts that Beowulf was foolish to enter such a dangerous contest. Unferth also emphasized that Breca was the stronger one by beating Beowulf in seven nights. (Pg. 35) Unferth is telling everyone this story because Unferth concludes that if Beowulf couldn’t win a swimming match, then Beowulf could not possibly be any challenge for Grendel, who lives at the bottom of a lake. So swimming may prove to be an important part in the fight if Beowulf concludes to fight Grendel. Beowulf responds by first isolating the problem. Beowulf goes on to say that it “was mostly beer that was doing the talking.” (Pg. 37) Beowulf then went on to correct parts of Unferth’s story. Beowulf tells that each of them had a sword and body armor for protection from the monsters at sea. Beowulf also stated that the two swam together for five nights, not seven. Beowulf told about how the two of them were eventually pulled apart from each other by the rough seas. Beowulf told stories of how sea monsters tried to attack him and he is eventually saved by ‘fate’ after hilling nine monsters. Beowulf then goes back to addressing Unferth by saying that he has not heard of any such an achievement by him and that Unferth had killed his own brothers. Beowulf then says to Unferth that if his battle spirit were as sharp as his words Grendel may not have been so successful against King Hrothgar. This response to Unferth has shown how Beowulf is a hero. He showed admirable restraint without backing down, and Beowulf’s verbal attacks focused on Unferth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)