Act 5

1. I think the point of the gravediggers riddles or song is to break up some of the tension in the play by creating comic relief. Perhaps it's put in to release the built up tension of the audience before the final big scene comes into play (killing of Claudius). His song fits in the play because it is talking of the natural death that everyone is going to at sometime face.

2. They seem to suggest a change in his outlook because throughout the story Hamlet has been so conflicted to whether it would be better to live or die. In the graveyard he finds peace. He comes to realize that death is a natural way of life for all human beings. Hamlet seems to like Yorick, almost as if he was like Horatio to him. They are well-respected friends. Hamlets attitude toward Ophelia is a very love-hate relationship. At times he acts as if she is not important to him and then the next minute he is in love with her. Hamlet thinks very highly of his father and will do anything for him.

3. I think Hamlet is thirty because the grave-digger says he has dug graves since young Hamlet was born. Later, he says that he has been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years. Thus, making Hamlet 30.

4. It is adds suspense and rising action to the killing of king Claudius. It also shows how Hamlet isn't just thinking anymore, he has now become so furious that he is acting on his emotions.

5. Hamlet is showed to use his intelligence and finally put his ideas into action. He becomes so built up with evil and angry emotions that he bursts and starts putting plans into action without thinking twice (killing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern). He used to keep his feelings locked in his head, but they have now been released.

6. It seems to shift because at first he just wanted to avenge his father's death, but now he sees it as a duty to kill Claudius. He has killed his father, made his mother a whore, took his kingship from him, and planned a trap to kill him.

7. One is that Claudius is still involved with Hamlet, by prodding him into dueling with Laertes. Another is that he is playing mad again. He is being very careful with his words.

8. Hamlet defies augury because he comes to realize that his fate lies beyond his control. It is this that he puts his faith in when he agrees to the swordfight.

9. He says his motive in still resenting Hamlet is to uphold his honor. He has already lost this because he plans on cheating to win. He has already said that he plans on putting poison on his blade to kill Hamlet easily. This conributes to the presentation of revenge in a different way. While everyone else in the story is seeking revenge for the murder of a family member (Hamlet-Old Hamlet, Fortinbras-Old Fortinbras) Laertes is seeking his revenge supposedly to uphold his honor.

10. Gertrude calls out as she is dieing to Hamlet, showing that she is a weak character who is reliant on men. Claudius calls out "oh defend me friends for I have been hurt" this reflects his character by showing his desperation which we have seen throughout the whole play. Laertes dieng words also reflect him. He only cares about himself. Before the fight Hamlet apologizes to Laertes but he proceeds to still fight him. Then when he is poisoned he starts begging for apology from Hamlet! He is a hypocrite.

11. I think Fortinbras wins because he is the one who is going to take over Denmark now that it is weak and rid of all the noble men. Not only is his avenge for his father death complete, but he also takes over the country that he had originally hoped to.

Act 3 Scenes 3 & 4

1. It is a turning point because it is when Claudius realizes that Hamlet knows he murdered his father.

2. Exposition - This is when we are first introduced to the characters and the whole situation. Two guards are on watch and they tell Marcellus and Horatio of the ghost that has been appearing. Horatio then goes to Hamlet to tell him of the ghost that looks like his father. We find out how Hamlet feels about Claudius and the marriage. Claudius gives a speech of how he feels about King Hamlet's death. Polonius and Laertes warn Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet. The ghost appears again and Hamlet follows it to find out what it has to say.

Inciting Event - When Hamlet speaks to the ghost and finds out that Claudius murdered his father. The ghost tells Hamlet that he must seek revenge for his father.

Rising Action - 1. Hamlet acts crazy. He shows up in Ophelia's room half-naked showing that perhaps he is mad because he is so in love with her. 2. Hamlet shows Claudius a play in attempt to get him to confess to the murder. 3. Hamlet sees that Claudius is upset by the play and is prepared to kill him, but he is unable to because he can see that Claudius is praying.

1. He plans to send them to England to be killed.

2. Polonius plans on spying on Hamlet and his mother to hear what they have to say.

3. a. This is the first time Claudius actually admits to killing his brother.
b. Perhaps Claudius feels a little guilty about killing his brother.
c. If it wasn't for him forcing himself to pray, then he would have been killed by Hamlet right then and there.

4. It is odd because the King just said that he can't pray.

5. He doesn't take this opportunity for revenge because he feels like he would be doing the king a favor if he killed him now by sending him to heaven. He wants to murder the king when he is in an act of crime or sinning to send him to hell.

6. Polonius tells the queen to be blunt and say that he has caused eveyone and especially the king a lot of trouble.

7. This quote is said when Hamlet finds out that Polonius is spying on him. He calls him a rat (because he's spying as he always seems to be doing) and then says he's a dead rat now and kills him.

8. What is odd is that it seems as if Hamlet is possibly blaming his mother for killing her husband..perhaps he is just so shocked and frusterated at everything that is happening that he points blame to her.

9. Gertrude might say that because she doesn't know why Hamlet is so angry at her. She is clueless. Everyone is just using her. She doesn't know yet that Claudius killed her husband.

10. He says his father is like a curly haired Greek god and that his eye could command the god of war. He compares him to Claudius who is like a mildewed ear of corn.

11. He makes the point that his father was an honorable, heroic man while Claudius is a worthless piece of scum who is greedy and does things for his own self gain.

12. What is disturbing is that he is speaking in a little more detail than needed of his mother making love to his uncle.

13. The ghost. He reminds Hamlet of what his duty is and to not push his mother any further for she is just a woman and her body is weak with horrid imagination.

14. "Do not spread the compost on weeds to make them ranker." Right here he is saying that they should not make Denmark anymore corrupt than it is. This is ironic because he is the one who wants to kill the present king, thus making it easy to become overtaken by another country. This will cause the destruction of humanity.

15. The ghost in Act 1 appears a lot and is described in detail. It can also can be seen by all of the guards and Hamlet. In Act 3 the ghost appears very briefly and can only be seen by Hamlet. This makes Hamlet seem even more insane because it appears that he is talking to himself. Both the ghosts have the same intentions of murdering Claudius.

Act 3 Scenes 1 & 2

1. They report that Hamlet is acting crazy and he won't answer any questions when they ask him. So, they don't really know what is wrong with him.
2. Claudius basically confirms the truth of the Ghost's accusation, that he killed Hamlet's father.
3. Ophelia is going to talk to Hamlet while the King and Polonius are going to be hiding out listening to see if Hamlet is mad because of his love for Ophelia or for different reasons.
4. The nature of the soliloquy is dark and questioning. Hamlet holds the burden of knowing who killed his father. It is eating him alive.
5. Hamlet's main argument against suicide is debating whether it's more honorable and courageous to live or die. He is contemplating whether death would be the easy way out.
6. Hamlet treats Ophelia cruelly because she has returned all of his love letters that he sent to her, thus making him think she doesn't love him anymore. What has changed him is that he knows he has been setup and that Polonius is watching him.
7. He is saying that Claudius is going to die. He says that everybody -except for one- person who is married will live. He basically says that he is going to murder Claudius.
8. The king wants to send him to England.
9. Hamlet says that Horatio is exactly the kind of friend that he needs. He is trustworthy and Hamlet knows he will do the right thing.
10. Hamlet asks Horatio to observe his uncle's face when the play comes to the scene where it tells of his father's death to see if it is of guilt or innocence.
11. A king and queen confess their love for each other. When the king is alone somebody pours poison down his ear. This man who is said to be his "nephew" marries the queen and becomes king.
12. Hamlet refers to the play as a mousetrap because he is cornering his Uncle into admitting that he murdered his father.
13. Claudius is getting suspicious. He questions Hamlet for if he knows what the play is really about.
14. Hamlet compares himself to an instrument because he knows he is being played upon.
15. He is still going to be cruel to her, but not harm her for then he would feel like a hypocrite.

Translate Hamlet

To die or not to die, that is the question.
Is it nobler to suffer with things that come your
way or to fight against these troubles and put an end to
them once and for all? Dying is sleeping. That's all it is.
To sleep you put an end to all the heartaches and natural
troubles life brings you. Dying is something to be wished
for! To die, to sleep. To sleep, maybe to dream. Ahh..
but here's the thing. To sleep because of death, who knows
what dreams may come when we have put all of our troubles
from humanity behind us. This is unknown to us. This is
why we suffer the life of humanity for so long. For if we were
to die who would put up with all of life's problems. Abuse from
the upper class, the proud man's arrogance, the pangs of
unreturned love, the inadequacy of the law, the disrespect of
people in office, and the corruptness that poor people have to
deal with because of the wealthy. Why do we go through this
when we could easily just end life with a small knife? Why do
we choose to bear this hard, corrupted life...perhaps it's because
of fear of what comes after death. Death, the unknown world where
no one returns from puzzles the human mind. It makes us deal with
the hardships of humanity instead of flying off to a
mysterious new world. It's this fear of dying that makes
us cowards, we are constantly thinking and it is this
fear that overcomes our wonder making us weak.
These motives that should be carried out are
skewed, and stop being actions for once and all.
Now is time to be quiet, the beautiful Ophelia is coming.
Nymph, hopefully when I pray, my sins will be forgiven.

This soliloquy shows us Hamlet's thoughts on whether it is better to die or to live. He makes is seem like after one dies, you will be in peace. You will escape all of the corruptiveness that humanity brings you. Hamlet speaking of all of this adversity makes me think he has not only witnessed it, but also been through this suffering himself. He makes death or the afterlife sound like a mysterious, unknown place that can only be better than the life one is living in now.

Hamlet Act 2

1. Polonius tells Reynaldo to spy of his son while he is away. He wants to know what his son is up to in Paris. He plans to trap his son by having Reynaldo tell little lies to then find out the truth by peoples reactions and answers to his questions.

2. It shows you that Polonius is a self-centered person. He wants to find out what his son is up too so it doesn't come back to hurt him.

3. Ophelia gets disturbed when Hamlet comes running to her half naked acting insane and mad.

4. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have been sent to Denmark to find out what is wrong with poor Hamlet.

5. Hamlet asks the players to recite a piece from what happened in the Trojan war, when Aeneas told Dido about Priams murder. It mimics what is happening in Hamlet because Hamlet is seeking revenge for his father's death just as Pyrrhus is seeking revenge for Achilles death. Also, both the women or queens are going to be drastically affected by the revenge these men wish to seek.

6. Ophelia talking to Polonius. The line is talking about how Ophelia kept her distance from Hamlet just as her father told her to do.

7. The queen is talking to Polonius. She is telling him to stick to the point and to stop babbling on. This shows that the queen seems to not care for Polonius very much and is quite impatient and Polonius loves to tell stories and wants to gain acceptance from the upper class, by impressing the queen.

8. Hamlet is speaking to himself of how he must avenge his father.

9. Polonius speaking to Reynaldo about his plan to spy on his son. He tells Reynaldo of how he wants him to tell lies about his son to find out the truth about what he is doing in Paris.

10. Hamlet speaks these lines. First, he is using himself as a pun sun "son" then he says that he will breed maggots "get women pregnant" talking about Ophelia. Polonius isn't able to use anything out of this because Hamlet is still supposedly acting crazy.

11. Direct - denmark as a prison

Implied - lies are a poison

Extended - garden of eden

12. When Hamlet came to Ophelia half-naked and grabbed her by the arm then leaves.

13. This is when Hamlet is talking about denmark being a prison. Rosencrantz and Guildenberg don't think that it is. It's a prison to hamlet because he knows these secrets that he isn't able to tell anybody, thus making him feel trapped like a prison.

14. A fishmonger is slang for a pimp.

15. Jephthah was a man who sacrificed his daughter for political reasons.

Hamlet's Soliloquy

Hamlet' soliloquy focuses a lot on how he is upset with his mother for remarrying so quickly. He starts off by saying how life is worthless to him now. He compares life to an unweeded garden that is gross and overgrown. He can't believe that things have come to this. He then goes on to say how it has been only two months since his father's death and his mother has already remarried to his uncle. Hamlet can not believe this because of how well his father treated his mother. Hamlet says that his father would have gotten between the wind and her to save it from hitting her face to roughly. He doesn't understand why women are so weak. He then goes on to say that animals would have mourned longer than his mother did for a dying mate. Hamlet says that his uncle is as similar to his father as he is to Hercules. His last words are that nothing good can come from the choice his mother has made.

Hamlet #2

1. Laertes's advice to Ophelia is to not put too much trust in Prince Hamlet. He has more responsibilites now and cannot make choices just for himself, he has to make them for the nation.
2. This quote fits into the idea of the decaying garden because its saying that too often people will ruin virgins (young spring flowers) by deflowering them, thus buds being opened. Laertes is warning Ophelia to watch out or else she may soon be a dead flower.
3. Ophelia pretty much tells her brother that he is being a hypocrit. She says that he himself is failing to practice what he preaches. When he is away he fools around with lots of women.
4. One, don't say what you are thinking, keep your thoughts to yourself. Two, once you find trustworthy friends hold on to them. Three, don't be quick to pick a fight but if you do make sure you can hold your own. Four, make sure you spend your money on quality clothes, but don't overdo it and dress flashy. Five, be true to yourself.
5. "Think yourself a baby that you have ta'en these tenders for true pay which are not sterling." Polonius is pretty much telling Ophelia that she is being a foolish baby for believing what Hamlet tells her is true.
6. "Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers not of that dye which their investments show, but mere implorators of unholy suits, breathing like sanctified and pious bawds the better to beguile." Polonius is telling Ophelia to watch Hamlet's love vows because they are like "flashy pimps who wear nice clothes" to lead a woman into doing the wrong thing.
7. His command is to not waste her time with Hamlet. She should spend less time with him and talk to him less. Polonius does not want her to embarass him.
8. Hamlet is venting about why they should not be looked at in a bad reputation. He is angry that the king and his courtiers are getting drunk within the castle, while him and many others are minding their own business and showing decent behavior.
9. Horatio doesn't want Hamlet to follow the ghost because he fears that the ghost will tempt Hamlet into a suicidal madness.
10. Hamlet commands the guards to not follow him. He says that fate is calling him. He also tells the guards that he will make a ghost of anyone who follows him.

Hamlet #1

1. Interest is created in the opening scene by bringing in a ghost. The ghost is of Hamlet's father.
2. We are given that a ghost has been appearing, he looks just like the dead king, he is dressed in armour as if ready for war, and he is not answering any of their questions. We are also given some background information on the death of Fortinbras and why his son seeks revenge.
3. To keep the author's interest Shakespeare makes the ghost return for a second time. Marcellus then tries to strike him with his partisan to get him to stay. The ghost offended then disappears again.
4. The mood is uncanny and dark. Not only are there guards stationed because they are preparing for a war..but a ghost comes as well.
5. The sentries are apprehensive for two reasons. First, they have a feeling that the ghost means bad news for their country. Second, it's not just any ghost. The ghost is said to look just like their king. The ghost is in the exact same armor that the king wore when fighting the king of Norway.
6. Horatio thinks the late kings ghost appeared to perhaps warn them of their countries fate or to tell them of some buried treasure.
7. The character's present in this scene are Barnardo, Francisco, Marcellus, Horatio, and the Ghost.
8. Horatio says that the former king was a great rival of King Fortinbras.
9. Young Fortinbras is King Fortinbras's son. He is the prince of Norway. He wants to avenge his father's honor by attacking Denmark.
10. He says that corpses rose out of the graves and walked the streets speaking gibberish, that shooting stars left a trail of blood, and that the moon was almost totally eclipsed it almost went completely out.
11. Horatio is educated. He is a scholar.
12. Horatio is present to give us background history and set up the story.
13. There has been an ongoing feud between Denmark and Norway. The king of Denmark is dead and is now appearing as a ghost.

Canterbury Tales

The Knight: He follows chivalry, he is a man of military duty, he is symbolic of a Christian Knight.
1. He was a true, perfect gentle-knight. (pg. 5)
2. And in his bearing modest as a maid. (pg. 5)
Chaucer respects him. He thinks he is a honest and noble knight. Perhaps he is the greatest character and most liked by Chaucer because he is spoken of first.

Squire: He is an apprentance of the knight, after the ladies, and a fine horseman who knows how to joust, dance, write and draw.
1. A lover and cadet, a lad of fire. (pg. 5)
2. He could make songs and poems and recite. (pg. 5)
Chaucer also respects him. He is noble and well-educated.

Yeoman: He is another employee of the knight. He is an outdoorsmen and talented woodcarver. He also has an excellent shot with the bow and arrow.
1. He knew the whole of woodcraft up and down. (pg. 6)
2. And peacock-feathered arrow, bright and keen. (pg. 5)
Chaucer doesn't really know what to think about him. He know that he is to well dressed and equipped for what he does. He seems to be trying to outdo a knight.

Prioress: She is very concerned with her outward appearance, seems to care more about animals than humans, and is very proper.
1. She used to weap if she saw a mouse. (pg. 7)
2. Her nose was elegant her eyes glass-grey. (pg. 7)
Chaucer thinks she is very proper and respects her. Perhaps it is suggested that he thinks she is quite intelligent to when he says "her forehead certainly was of fair spread".

Monk: Rather fat, jolly, bald-headed, likes to hunt, living like a lord, dressed proper.
1. His sleeves were garnished at the hand with fine grey fur, the finest in the land. (pg. 8)
2. Hunting a hare or riding at a fence was all his fun. (pg. 8)
Chaucer doesn't like him very well. He cares more about having fun, dressing expensively, and hunting than his work and love for the Church.

Friar: He is jolly and merry yet evil and cunning. He is dressed with expensive clothes, is overweight, greedy, begs off of poor widows, and worst of all has sex with girls than marries them off when they get pregnant.
1. Natural gifts like his were hard to match. (pg. 9)...he gave the gift of babies.
2. He was the finest beggar of his batch. (pg. 9)
Chaucer doesn't like him at all. He cheats people out of his money and altogether has very bad morals. He cares more about being wealthy and money than the Church. Instead of knowing lepers and beggars he knows the innkeepers and barmaid.

Merchant: He is solemn, serious, intelligent, and cunning. He is an expert in finance, but actually in debt. He is an excellent fellow.
1. He was an expert at dabbling in exchanges. (pg. 10)
2. High on his horse he sat. (pg. 10)...proud of himself/intelligent
I think Chaucer likes him. He says he is an "excellent fellow". Maybe Chaucer likes him because he is wealthy and seems to be of the upper class.

Clerk: He is very thin, his clothes are of threads, has 20 book with him, isn't employed because he is still studying.
1. Preffered books than costly clothes. (pg. 11)
2. Moral virtue filled his speech. (pg. 11)
Chaucer think he is stupid for not getting a job. He doesn't like the fact that he is not associated with the church. Doesn't have much respect for him because he is a poor, worthless man.

Sergeant-at-Law: He dressed expensively, smart, knew of every judgement, case, and crime that ever existed.
1. His saying were so wise. (pg. 11)
2. He could dictate defences or draft deeds. (pg. 12)
Chaucer respects this man a lot. He takes him as being very wise and smart. He likes that he is of the noble class and is making his money in a moral way.

Franklin: He's always having parties, a wealthy landowner, acted as Sheriff, checking and auditing each persons property.
1. He lived for pleasure and had always done. (pg. 12)
2. Loved having feasts and the best wine. (pg. 12)
Chaucer respects him because he is of the noble class but then doesn't seem to like him because he is so foolish with his money. Perhaps it is because he tries to flaunt his money and overdue it.

Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapestry Maker: All belonged to a guild, wealthy, wives are demanding.
1. They had capital and revenue. (pg. 13)
2. Wives are demanding and controlling. (pg. 13)
Chaucer doesn't seem to mind these men. They are all very average and seem to be of upper-middle class. They have earned their money in a proper fashion.

Cook: Not the cleanliness person, has ulcer on knee, yet still called an excellent cook.
1. Could distinguish London ale by flavor. (pg. 13)
2. Ulcer on knee makes the food unappetizing. (pg. 13)
Chaucer doesn't mind the cook. Thinks its a shame that he is such a good cook but has such a gross flaw. Chaucer definitely doesn't look up to him.

Shipman: Couldn't ride a horse, ignored his conscience, immoral, well-tanned, likes money, pirate, kills all prisoners, and is a good sailor.
1. Prisoners walked the plank. (pg. 13)...killed everybody.
2. Knew all the havens as they were. (pg. 14)...intelligent/good sailor while out on sea.
Chaucer doesn't like this guy but doesn't hate him. He is immoral which he doesn't like, but is also hardworking and a good sailor which he respects.

Doctor of Medicine: Considered a perfect practicing physician. Worked with the pharmacist to make more money off people. Not religious and knows his work well.
1. He did not read the Bible very much. (pg. 14)
2. Yet he was rather close as to expenses. (pg. 15)
Chaucer doesnt' like this guy a whole lot, but he is definitely not the worst of the bunch. He doesn't like the fact that he is not religious or that he is a cheat. But, he is a working man who values his makings.

Wife of Bath: About looking good but is actually ugly, gap-teeth, large hips, she is well off probably because she kills all her husbands, has seen many places, kills her husbands by sex.
1. Is quite ugly..somewhat deaf, gap-teeth, large hips. (pg. 15)
2. Knew the remedies of love's mischances. (pg. 15)
Chaucer seems to think she is a woman of power and kind of admires her. She gets her money by doing dirty work, but Chaucer looks past her killing her husbands because he is so drawn in by the fact that a woman can be so cunning and intelligent.

Parson: Very poor, cared for parishioners, moral and humble, ideal Christian Priest.
1. Poor but rich in holy thought. (pg. 16)
2. He hated cursing to extort a fee. (pg. 16)
Chaucer thinks he is doing a good thing and is a kind person. But he doesn't care for poor people.

Plowman: Ideal Christian man, loves God, helped the poor.
1. Loves God and neighbors as himself. (pg. 17)
2. Would help the poor and never take a penny. (pg. 17)
Chaucer thinks the same of him as he does the Parson.

Miller: Big and brawny, scary and ugly looking (wart on nose & black nostrils), cheated people out of their grain.
1. He could win the ram at any wrestling show. (pg. 18)
2. He was a master-hand at stealing grain. (pg. 18)
Chaucer doesn't like this guy. He is a stealer with bad morals and tries to scare people with his appearance and strength.

Manciple: Not educated, but smart. Frugal. Can outdo all his masters.
1. An illiterate fellow that can outpace the wisdom of a learned man. (pg. 18)
2. Made a living by watching the market. (pg. 18)
Chaucer likes him. He respects that he is so smart and can outdo people of a higher class than him.

Reeve: He is thin, has lean legs, good at his job, manager of a large estate, sucked up to lord by giving gifts after stealing from the lord, many talents.
1. No auditor could gain a point on him. (pg. 19)
2. Has many talents and no need to fight. (pg. 19)
Chaucer likes him for the most part. He is wealthy, smart, and full of talents. Yet, Chaucer thinks that he is foolish for stealing when he already has it so well.

Summoner: Scary appearance, gets drunk a lot, speaks in Latin, blackmailer, could be bribed easily.
1. Children were afraid when he appeared. (pg. 20)
2. For a quart of wine a man could keep his mistress. (pg. 20)
Chaucer doesn't like him. He will ruin anyone for his own personal gain. He thinks he is very immoral. I think he saved the Summoner and the Pardoner for last because he thinks they are the worst characters.

Pardoner: Feminine characteristics, good singer, made money by selling fake relics.
1. Same voice a goat has got, I judge he was a mare. (pg. 21)
2. Made more money in a day than a poor parson in a month. (pg. 21)
Chaucer doesn't like him because he cheats poor people out of their money. He doesn't like dishonest people and perhaps he leaves him for last because he is bad for all of the above AND it is suggested that he is gay.

Host: Merry-hearted man, likes people who are of the higher class, loud, and large.
1. Bold in his speech yet wise and full of tact. (pg. 23)
2. Likes good morals and general pleasure. (pg. 24)
Chaucer doesn't mind the host. He thinks he is a pleasant person but a wannabe of the wealthy, noble class.

Best Pilgrims.
1. The Knight
2. Parson
3. Plowman
4. Sergeant-at-Law
5. Prioress
6. Manciple

Worst Pilgrims.
1. Friar
2. Summoner
3. Pardoner
4. Wife of Bath
5. Miller
6. Shipman

Fit 4

1. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight can be seen as a journey from life to death then back to life again. I see life-death-life as Camelot-Castle-Camelot. Life at Camelot was easy, joyful, and full of fun and games. Gawain here was free from dishonoring his lord and was a respectful knight. After his travel to the castle, he has spiritually died. He is tempted and tested and ends up breaking his code of honor. Then Gawain returns home and comes back to life. King Arthur is welcoming and shows his respect by wearing green belts of silk.

2. Sir Gawain is reborn both physically and spiritually at the end of the book how? Sir Gawain is reborn spiritually after he gives up faith in God from saving him from the Green Knight by accepting the magical girdle. Gawain is reborn physically after he survives the nick of the axe. He realizes that his life has been saved.

3. Whose point of view is at the end of the book? Why? I think the story is told from Gawain's point of view at the end of the book. You see that Gawain is being very humble. Perhaps the author wanted it to be his point of view so we could see how much it means to be a loyal and honorable knight. The author may have been telling us something about his time period. This is very similar to today. If a soldier was told to never leave the battle field and a bomb flew his way, he would probably run because he would think his life is more valuable. I think the author is trying to tell us that human nature will never change.

4. I think Sir Gawain is ruined as a knight forever. He is now mentally unstable. The fact that he has dishonored his king and the lord will live with him forever. You can see this as soon as he respectfully refuses to go back with the Green Knight and have a feast after the Green Knight forgives him. He is so emotionally distraught that he will not be able to move on with his life. He left out on this journey to prove himself a great knight and gain respect and fame just like Beowulf. Only Beowulf gets through his first quest and proves to be successful therefore giving him more motivation and drive for the next task while Gawain fails his first task and loses all inspiration to try again.

5. In my opinion I think that it is the lady who is in control. It was her who chose to play the game and seduce Sir Gawain. She did not have to do this. If she chose not to then the lord would not have been able to set up the game. In other words, there would have been no game without her.

Fit 3 Part 2

2. I think Gawain is very nervous and uncertain of the castle. He tries to behave well and not ashame either his king or the lord, but I think he fails to do this. I feel that he doesn't uphold his honor while not dishonoring the lady and the lord because eventually he does break and give in to accept the green girdle. Even though he does hide the green girdle from the lord as the lady asks of him he is dishonorable to the lord while not playing the game fair. I don't get it, throughout the whole story Gawain refers a lot to God and Mary and asks them for help along his quest. Yet, when it comes down to it he doesn't have much faith that God will save him from the Green Knight because he accepts a magical girdle.

3. The climax of the story is when Sir Gawain meets the Green Knight. The Green Knight then swings the axe which reveals that he dishonored the lord and took the girdle because the axe leaves only a nick on his neck.

4. The green girdle symbolizes Gawain's faults. It was not a fault when he accepted the girdle from the lady, it was a fault when he chose to hide it from the lord. Gawain's nature to be a normal man who wants to spare his life overcomes that of his nature to be a knight. Its only human for a man to be a coward when his life is on the line.

5. Throughout the story it seems that Gawain is very religious and believes that if he prays, God will help him. One allusion would be when Gawain tells the lady "as for your girdle, god reward you...I shall see it as a sign of my fault". Perhaps this is showing you that he is going against his faith in God and instead placing hope in the power of magic. You also see that Gawain prays for the help of the lord and Mary to guide him to some haven where he can attend mass and pray on Christmas morning. Yes, he is granted his request, yet he is lead to a dark castle where people are trying to trick him in one big game. I don't get this because it seems to me that this story is very Christian based yet every time he is either throwing away his faith in God or God is leading him in a bad direction.

Fit 3

In the first hunting scene the lord is seeking out a deer. This is the easiest out of the three hunts. The lord and his men chase the deer until they are "trapped" and then kills them just as the lady is "trapping" Sir Gawain in his bedroom. She slips in and tries to seduce him, but he is able to resist and stay faithful. You see here that this act is very innocent. When the lady first enters the room Sir Gawain is faking to be asleep. Here you see that this is the easiest animal to hunt, but the hardest case for the lady to seduce.
The second hunt gets a little harder. The lord and his men are chasing a boar. Every time they get the boar trapped he fights back ferociously. Not only is this animal taking action, but so is Sir Gawain. As the lady comes to his room the second time, he takes some initiative. It is said that he first gives her a cordial greeting and then he says "I'm at your command, to kiss as you please: you make take one when you like and leave off at your whim." The lady is now getting somewhere in her "hunt". Sir Gawain is beginning to have something to be ashamed of.
The third hunt is the hardest of them all. The lord and his men are chasing a fox. The fox is sly and cunning. This hunt is also said to have taken until the morning where the others were caught by night. Here the lady is able to complete her task and show that Sir Gawain is an unloyal and secretive man. At first, he is able to refuse the gifts that the lady persists he takes. But then, he thinks of his life and decides that it is more precious than the lords game and accepts the girdle.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

1. The first three stanzas deal with the change in season from Christmas to Lent, then to spring and summer, then finally back to winter. It also tells that it is time for Gawain to make his quest.

Stanzas (4-6) describes Gawain's armor in great detail. It is here where they describe the five-pointed star, or pentangle that he wears. It represents a set of Gawain's virtues, his five senses.

In the 7th and 8th stanzas Gawain says goodbye to his friends and leaves the court.

Stanzas (9-11) he runs into a few obstacles, but always seems to overcome them. Winter grows colder and he seems to be having a very rough time. He prays to Mary to help him seek a holy place.

In stanzas 12-13 Gawain encounters the castle. He calls out to a porter who welcoming invites him in.

Stanzas (14-17) shows you how hospitable the lord and castle in general is to this knight. They give him a servant and provide for him a feast.

In (18-20) Gawain is introduced to two women. One he describes as being young and beautiful while the other is old and ugly. Here you see that Gawain and the young lady seem to connect a lot. It's as if they are in their own world.

In stanzas 21-22 Gawain begins to feel that he needs to leave and seek out the Green Knight or Green Chapel because New Year's morning is approaching, but the lord pleads for him to stay because he knows where the Green Chapel is and its only a mile away.

In stanzas 23-24 the lord proposes a game. He will go out hunting with his men and and at the end of each of the days, the two men will exchange whatever they have won.

2. In this section you see the motif of games. The lord introduces a game where he will go hunting and at the end of the day the two men will exchange whatever they have won. The lord's game seems harmless but its almost as if he is making Gawain feel ashamed because while he is hunting and will most likely be able to bring something home, Gawain will be sitting in the castle. How is he supposed to win this game? What happens in this section is similar to what happens in the first section. Both the Green Knight and the lord present games that are absurd. Perhaps they challenge Gawain to these games because they do not like King Arthur. King Arthur is said to be one of the greatest and has all of the best knights. Maybe they are just envious of King Arthur and wish to see his demise.

3. I think the castle serves as a big symbol in section 2. You could relate it to the theme of hospitality. It seems to be a symbol of salvation and paradise for Gawain. Except its superficialities seem to imply its falseness. The castle as you first see is very welcoming and luxurious to Gawain. However, when looked at deeper you begin to question this when the lord decides he wants to play a game with Gawain. Its almost seems as if the whole castle is supporting the destruction of Gawain. It seems as if they are all testing Gawain to see if he is as good a knight as he is said to be. I think the lord of the castle has a problem with Arthur and because of this they're testing Gawain to his fullness because he is said to be related to King Arthur. Gawain proves pretty successful when he is able to respectfully deny the lady. Yet, he does break down later when he accepts the green girdle.

4. Gawain is different in this section compared to the last. In the first section Gawain is seen as not very important. He himself says that he is the weakest and the least in wit. He also says that the loss of his life is of little account. The king definitely doesn't disagree with Gawain. He respectfully grants him his blessing. Then in section 2 you notice that from the minute Gawain reaches the castle he is treated with the utmost respect. The servants come to attend to him without question. He is given a place to stay, food, and company. He is also begged not to leave, when he thinks it is time that he should continue with his quest. Here he feels as if he is worthy and wanted.

5. Camelot seems to be a more friendly and hospitable place. It is fun and games go on in a playful matter. Even when the Green Knight enters into the castle, he is almost welcomed in. He is allowed to make his speech without any interferences. While Sir Gawain is at castle it seems to be more dark. It is much more serious. The castle challenges the virtues of Gawain. He is tested by his temptations, loyalty, and deceits.

Hrolf Kraki Questions

2. a. King Adils. King Adils is a bad king. He has fires built up to try to scorch Hrolf and his men, sends a boar against them, attempts to burn them in the house, and then has Hrolf and his men attacked, but hides himself. Thus, he is a selfish and cowardly king. King Hrolf. King Hrolf is a great king. He is said to be open-handed and generous and so trustworthy and particular about his friends that his equal cannot be found. King Hrolf has the respect of his warriors. It is said that the champions were as willing to die with King Hrolf as they had been to live with him. Then you have King Halfdan of Denmark whom was mild-mannered, easygoing, quiet, and good natured vs. his brother King Frodi who was the harshest and greediest of men. This is a good example of a good king vs. bad king. King Frodi ends up getting jealous and murders his own brother.

b. Bodvar. Bodvar is a great warrior. He is accounted as Hrolf's greatest champion. He is respectful in the fact that when he appeared at King Thorir Hound's Foot home and was assumed the king, he did not get under the bed covers with his brother's queen. Hjalti is a strong and courageous warrior. Hijalti was called Magnanimous because he never hurt one of the king's retainers for what they had done to him earlier, even though he had now become a man far greater than they. Svipdag. Svipdag is a confident and valiant warrior. It was said from queen Yrsa that he had more confidence than all the berserkers put together. The warriors of Hrolf Kraki are all into the perfect warrior. They all have superior physical and mental strength, they love and respect their leader, and they are brave and courageous.

c. Olof. Hvit. Skud. All three of these women are very powerful and evil. When Helgi wanted to marry Queen Olof she decided to get him drunk and then shaved off all of his hair and smeared him with tar. She is also crafty and shrewd because she kept silent about Yrsa's parentage when Helgi marries Yrsa. She then reveals to Yrsa that she is incestuously married to her father. Hvit is evil because she tries to seduce Bjorn, turns him into a bear when he rejects her, then urges the killing of the bear. She is also the one who forces Bera to eat bear's flesh, which makes her children disformed. Queen Skuld finds her strength in magic and sorcery. Skuld proves to be a fearful opponent because she is able to bring about a monstorous boar. Important events turn on decisions made by these women. They are very controlling and superior in this story.

d. Skuld. Skuld uses a boar at the end of the novel to defeat the powerful King Hrolf Kraki. She is able to bring alive the dead and use them to kill Hrolf and all of his champions. With these living ghosts their is no chance for survival. Men in the saga also contain magic such as Vifil the commoner, the warrior Bodvar Bjarki, and King Adils.

e. I think this whole story is about revenge. From the beginning to end it seems as if that is what everyone is seeking. Perhaps this is because there are so many screwed up relationships. Bodvar kills and tortures Hvit to avenge his father Bjorn. Elk-Frodi and Thorir Hound's Foot avenge Bodvar after Skuld took over King Hrolf's realm. Olof kept quiet about the parentage of Yrsa so she could get revenge on Helgi.

f. Hospitality plays quite a big role in this saga. In one instance you see Hrani who is very hospitable and offers his home to Hrolf and his warriors. However, Hrolf screws this up by insulting Hrani therefore making Hrani turn against him. King Adils is very unhospitable. He welcomes his guests by building fires to scorch Hrolf and his men. Hrolf on the otherhand is quite hospitable. He takes in Bodvar and Hjalti and makes them his best champions.

3. I think this book is all about revenge. I believe this all started because of the weird relationships. So many people were related to one another that when one person died there was always someone who wanted to get revenge for his brother. A good example of this would be when Elk-Frodi and Thorir Hound's Foot set out to avenge their brother Bodvar Bjarki.

4. Hrolf and his champions compare with King Arthur and the roundtables in many ways. First the champions are like the roundtables in the way that they are protecters and warriors. There are 12 roundtables just as their are 12 champions. The roundtable was created to have no head or foot therefore representing equality. The champions on the other hand are not all equal. They sit in a straight line and whoever is closest to the king is considered the greatest of the warriors. Hrolf had the respect of his champions because they wanted to go to war with their king but with King Arthur his men were to afraid to go into battle with him. This shows you the difference between pagan warriors and christian knights. The pagan warriors were proud to die with their king while the christian knights were scared and only wanted to save their lives.

5. They both have bears on their sides. Hrolf has Bodvar as one of his champions, who is able to in spirit transform into a bear and become an outstanding warrior. Hrolf was a good king while Beowulf was a bad king. Hrolf trained all of his men to be equally great warriors, while Beowulf wanted to keep all of the fame and gratitude to himself. He fought his own battles. The main difference between the two is that Hrolf Kraki is a completely pagan story while Beowulf has a lot of Christianity. You see the difference between the christian warriors who are unable and scared to be in battle. While the pagan warriors are brave, courageous, and willing to die for their king. You also see the difference between the role of women. In Beowulf the women are powerless and used to keep peace. In Hrolf Kraki the women are powerful and their decisions make important events turn.

Beowulf #7

1. "his Geat forces drove forward to destroy the camp" pg. 199 (2959-2961) Bad king. Hygelac tries to be a good king by destroying his enemy (the Swedes) what he doesn't know is that this move will eventually bite him in the ass and destroy his clan (the Geats). Beowulf dies, its the Swedes time for revenge and wergild for what Hygelac did to them. Good king vs. Bad king.

2. So this bad blood...Beowulf is dead. pg. 201-203 (2999-3003) This is an example of wergild. Now that Beowulf is gone a tragic future awaits the Geats.

3. He worked for...like a hero. pg. 203 (3006-3007) Beowulf possesses the qualities of a hero. He sacrifices his life to kill the dragon. His bravery gets him down there, while his determination makes it so he doesn't turn around and run. You see gallantry after Wiglaf gives his speech. He is also loyal and has fortitude.

4. "Often when one man follows his own will many are hurt." pg. 207 (3077-3078) Wiglaf here is suggesting that perhaps Beowulf acted foolishly and wrongly as a king. For his actions of always wanting victory and pride, has made it so all the Geats will suffer.

5. I managed to enter...under the earthwall. pg. 207 (3088-3090) God lets Wiglaf pass. Perhaps Wiglaf will be the next great warrior and king. Previously its said that Wiglaf was hand picked out to help the great king, he then sticks by Beowulf's side and proves himself in battle...just as Beowulf had to do for himself. After the death of the king you then see Wiglaf giving orders...just as a king would do. If you look at the qualities I put above for a hero, you'll see that Wiglaf possesses all of these as well.

6. "Now shall flame consume our leader in battle" pg. 209 (3115-3116) This is ironic because Beowulf will be burned for his funeral just as his death happened from a fire breathing dragon.

Beowulf #6

1. The intruder...treasure would be brief. pg.151-153 (2221-2241) This is the last part of the poem where we encounter the dragon. You can clearly see from these lines what the tone of this section will be. Immediately you see that it is going to be one of death and doom. In one line it says that: he foresaw that his joy in the treasure would be brief. The man who buries the treasure is acting as if this is a terrible and depressing thing to do, like perhaps if he was burying someone who had just died.

2. Pillage and slaughter...up in his heart. pg. 155 (2265-2270) This would be a foreshadow to the end of the Geats and a parallel to what happens to Beowulf's end. It shows that the "earth will be emptied of the entire peoples" meaning Beowulf will meet his end. The Geats will then mourn and move around as if they are alone, meaning that they won't have their king. Thus, without their great leader to protect them..their days will come to an end.

3. The intruder...treasure would be brief. pg 151-153 (2221-2241) This sets up the idea that treasure itself has no value, it's the people who give it value. In the beginning treasure is looked as a great thing, resembling honor, pride, value, people give it this value after being victorious...then here you see that treasure is looked at as something more like evil, greed, theft, or death, as this lone survivor is burying it because he believes it to be of no use to anyone because him, like his ancestors, are all destined to die.

4. And so the son...face with the dragon. pg. 163 (2397-2400) This fits the theme of fate. Perhaps it was Beowulf's time to die, and the dragon does this deed for him. Every legendary warrior's life must come to an end. It is Beowulf's time. He has done so many remarkable things, killed Grendel, killed Grendel's mother, kept peace for 50 years. Beowulf is old now, his life is coming to an end, and he predicts this himself.

5. For the eldest...of his own brother. Idea of kin-killing. Hygelac becomes king because he killed his own brother. Hrethel is then so stunned and ashamed that his own so killed his own sibling that he dies of grief. He gave up the will to live. This ties back to the Finnsburg episode again when the Danish princesses son and brother are both on opposite sides fighting against one another. They both die because of this, you could consider this kin-killing as well. This then puts her in an emotional state, just not quite to her death-bed.

Beowulf #5

1. The building was...face of the earth. pg. 131-133 (1925-1957) The role of women. Once again, women are supposed to be peace-keepers. In this part the poet compares two different queens. The good (Hygd) and the bad (Modthryth). Hygd is shown as behaving properly and performing her duty as a women, while Modthryth isn't quite fulfilling her role. Modthryth is a wicked queen who actually kills people if they look her in the eye! In one part it states that a queen should weave peace, not punish the innocent. This is contrasting the two queens.

2. Think how the Heathobards...with the Danes. pg. 139-141 (2031-2068) Right here is Beowulf's prediction about how Freawaru won't work as a peace-pledge this time. This ties back to what happened in the Finnsburg episode, where the marriage-tie was quickly violated and the bride returned back to her kinsman. Beowulf predicts that this will happen once again.

3. I therefore suspect...alliance with the Danes. pg.141 (2067-2069) This would be a good example of a litote. Beowulf is using irony to say that the good faith Heathobards will keep there trustworthy alliance with the Danes. When he actually knows that it won't happen because the Heathobards are going to want wergild.

4. Then an old spearman...on that final day? pg. 139 (2041-2050) This fits into the role of women, but also ties with treasure. Normally treasure is something great to receive from the more noble for doing a heroic act. For example, Wealhtheow gives Beowulf some swords and a necklace that contain a lot of memorable significance. Well, treasure in this instance according to Beowulf is going to revive some bad memories and thus going to end up starting a huge feud. This also shows how a woman is regarded as much less worth than treasure and won't be able to fulfil the role of peace-keeping.

5. He had been poorly regarded...him in the mead-hall. pg. 149 (2183-2186) This tells you that Beowulf use to be very undervalued. Although this does seem odd considering how Beowulf bragged to Unferth about how his swimming contest with Breca during previous days. This is an important step for Beowulf. He is stepping up from a warrior to a ruler. Perhaps this advancement is because of his anger and rage from being regarded as of little worth to the Geats.

Literary Terms

Complication - something that introduces, usually unexpectedly, some difficulty, problem, change, ect.

Example: Romeo and Juliet. When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time he declares, "I never saw true beauty till tonight." The complication is that his family, the Montagues, have been feuding with Juliet's family for as long as anyone can remember.

Controlling metaphors - a symbolic story, where the whole poem may be a metaphor for something else.

Example:
Mary is a violet in autumn.
She bloomed too late,
purpling in the declining day.
Even now she opens brightly
as the red-leaved air
sharpens with frost.

Mary's autumnal violetness is the controlling metaphor for this little stanza.

Beowulf #4

1. There was an uproar...Grendel's bloodied hand. pg. 91 (1302-1304) This fits into the theme of warrior culture. Grendel's mothers attack on Heorot is appropriate and honorable, for the most part, by the code of warrior culture. All she wants to do is avenge her son's death.

2. Beowulf, son of Ecgtheow, spoke:...be the man I expect you to be. pg. 97 (1383-1396) Paganism vs. Christianity. Throughout almost all of the poem the author uses only Christian views. Then this little speech from Beowulf shows you that perhaps Beowulf and the author is not only pro Christian, but also very pagan. It's like their tied between the two religions. It shows you that perhaps the author's pagan past just had an outburst right here. He pretty much says that you should die before your natural death by fighting for glory. He says nothing about praying for help from the gods, instead he says be a man and fight till you die.

3. It was a sore blow...Aeschere's head at the foot of the cliff. pg. 99 (1417-1421) This is important in the use of trophies. Grendel's mother posts Aeshere's head at the foot of the cliff..while the Danes hang Grendel's arm from the rafters. They keep going back and forth between who can have the greater trophies. It goes from the arm, to Hrothgar's "dearest warrior" and chief advisor, to Grendel's head to prove that he is actually dead. This is also important because to Beowulf the arm wasn't a "great trophy" because technically Grendel himself ripped it off by struggling to get away, possibly hinting that he wasn't dead. So, to boost Beowulf's pride and ego he has to prove that Grendel is actually dead by bringing home the greatest trophy.

4. With Hrunting I shall gain glory or die. pg. 103 (1491) Beowulf doesn't kill Grendel's mother with hrunting, so technically he should die. The hrunting, isn't strong enough to pierce Grendel's mother's skin, so Beowulf has to use a magical sword made by the giants. This foreshadow's Beowulf's eventual death.

5. Droves of sea-beasts...in a ghastly onslaught. pg. 105 (1510-1512) This is important because this is how Beowulf's men were to Grendal..useless. These sea-beasts of Grendel's mothers aren't able to hurt him just as Beowulf's warriors weren't able to hurt Grendel.

6. Yet the water did...because the hall-roofing held off the force of the current. pg. 105 (1514-1516) Could this be a parallel to Heorot? Because the author says that the framework and roof were the only things held firm in Heorot after Grendel made his attacks. And in this instance he is saying that the hall-roofing is holding off the force of the current.

7. You are strong...as their king and defender than you. pg. 127 (1844-1852) This would be a foreshadow to Beowulf becoming king. Hrothgar is saying how Beowulf is fit to be king of the Geats, and that the Geats won't find a man worthier than him.

Beowulf #3

1. After his death Gigemund...the guardian of the hoard. pg. 59 (884-887) Hrothgar's minstrel sings. He sings about Sigemund who dies from slaying a dragon. This song parallels and foreshadows Beowulf later slaying a dragon.

2. Sigemund's name...but evil entered into Heremod. pg. 61 (897-914) This is where the scop sings about King Heremod and contrasts him with Beowulf. This is perhaps a foreshadow because contrasting Beowulf with a king tells us that later Beowulf will become a king.

3. At their head they placed...they were a right people. pg. 88-89 (1242-1250) This tells you a lot about Beowulf's warriors. They are always prepared and ready for battle. It fits into the theme of qualitites of warrior tradition. The Beowulf poet praises the Geat's for being so great. "It was their habit always and everywhere to be ready for action at home or in the camp."

4. ring-giver. pg. 75 (1101) This would be an example of a kenning. Meaning a king being one who rewards his warriors with rings.

5. Hildeburh had little cause...on the battlefield. pg. 71 (1070-1072) Role of women. Hildeburh, a Danish princess married to the Frisian King Finn is acting as a peace pledge between the two. She looses a son on one side and a brother on the other. She is used to form a connection between the groups without having a say in anything.

Beowulf #2

1. I have heard moreover that the monster scorns...fight with the fiend. pg. 31 (433-440) This here would be an example of an epic boast coming from Beowulf. He goes on to say that because Grendel scorns weapons, he will show respect and pride by he himself fighting with his bare hands. I don't know if this is right..but would Beowulf's boasting be an example of parallelism because when he does this before a battle it seems to determine his fate in the battle. At the end of the story does Beowulf know that he is going to die when he faces the dragon?

2. So the Helming woman went on her rounds...it was Beowulf's turn to take it from her hand. pg. 43 (620-624) This fits into the theme of the role of women. Wealhtheow is here to provide comfort and be a good host. Her main obligation is to be hospitable. Her job is to make sure all the men, no matter their rank, have a drink. It also seems that another one of her obligations is to be dressed in the finest attire at all times.

3. His father before him was called...here to follow up an old friendship. pg. 27 (373-376) This here would be an example of wergild. You can see that Beowulf comes to fight off Grendel because he wants to up his reputation, but perhaps he really comes because he has an obligation to fulfill. Beowulf has to discharge his debt to Hrothgar.

4. And the troops themselves were as good as their weapons. pg. 23 (330-331) Could this perhaps be a foreshadow. Because against the fight with Grendel the troops try to help Beowulf by using their weapons to cut into Grendel, but it doesn't do anything. In the end it is only Beowulf who defeats the demon by himself, using his bare hands.

5. The coast-guard answered...and bear this hero back to Geatland. pg. 21 (287-298) This fits into the theme of hospitality. It is important because the Danes are showing trust in the Geats even though they don't know that what the Geats speak is the truth. They show honor and their respect by watching their boat and keeping it safe.

Beowulf #1

1. whale-road pg. 3 (10) Whale-road is a kenning because it is a compound metaphor replacing the word ocean or sea for whale-road.

2. His warrior band did what he bade them...and mourning their loss. pg. 5 (28-50) This fits into the theme of burial of a king and also the relationship between leaders and their warriors. The warriors show their respect and honor towards their king by giving him a proper burial and by loading treasure upon him. Thus, showing their gratitude toward their king.

3. His warrior band did what he bade them...and mourning their loss. pg. 5 (28-50) This could also be seen as a foreshadow to Beowulf's funeral. Beowulf was an honorable king whom was beloved by his warriors. This type of funeral could foretell what lays ahead for Beowulf.

4. The hall towered, its gables wide and high...unleashed among in-laws, the blood-lust rampant. pg. 7 (81-85) This is a foreshadow that Heorot Hall is going to be burned down by kin-killing during one big blood feud.

5. Sometimes at pagan shrines they vowed...deep in their hearts they remembered hell. pg. 13 (175-180) This is important because it is showing you how the Danes aren't seeking God for help and therefore they aren't able to get rid of Grendel. Showing you that they most definitely are not Christians, but also hinting at the fact that because of this they aren't as superior.

Literary Devices

Onomatopoeia - using words that imitate the sound they denote.

Example: From the nursery rhyme - Baa Baa Black Sheep
Example: Bang! went the pistol,
Crash! went the window,
Ouch! went the son of a gun.

Realism - a theory of writing in which the ordinary, familiar, or mundane aspects of life are represented in a straightforward or matter-of-fact manner that is presumed to reflect life as it actually is.

Examples: There are many examples of realism in The Adventures of Huckleberry and Finn. Twain uses realism when he explores the gullibility of society by using the Duke and the King to scandalize people out of their money. Throughout the book, Twain also uses deceit, lying, and hypocrisy as a form of realism to satirize society.

Beowulf: The Monsters and The Critics

Tolkien argues against critics who play down the major elements of the poem (Grendel, Grendel's Mother, the dragon), in favor of using Beowulf only as a resource for Anglo-Saxon history. Tolkien sets the monsters at the center of Beowulf criticism. Tolkien then goes on to argue that seeing the poem as primarily a historical document is not an effective approach to Beowulf studies because it ignores the poetry. He considers the historical value that it possesses to be of secondary importance. Tolkien then goes on to note that Ker, a great scholar, was mistaken of thinking the monsters to be a childish flaw. Tolkien argues that the "dignity" of Beowulf that Ker and Chambers both praise is due to the theme of the poem, which he attached to the monsters. Tolkien then argues that the poem is not meant to "advance" but is rather a balance of two moments in a great life. Beowulf was an effective work of art in Tolkien's eyes. Tolkien criticizes critics whom he believes to be looking at the poem Beowulf all wrong. His main point is that you shouldn't be looking at this poem only as a historical document but to enjoy this poem as it is and to face the fact that is has derived great pleasure from a poem that is actually about unfashionable creatures, such as ogres and dragons.


I think Tolkien points out many important arguments. I feel that Tolkien wrote this to inform and persuade readers to look at this work of art for what it is and not only as a historical document. I agree with Tolkien on many of his arguments. For one, Mr. Girvan, a critic, claims that Beowulf is misused on an unprofitable theme, Tolkien pretty much argues back that who would waste their time writing more than three thousand lines on matter that is really not worth serious attention. If you think about this, obviously the author of this poem had a point and knew why and for what purpose he was using the major elements of the poem such as Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon. Another would be when a critic, Ker, states, "the great beauty, the real value, of Beowulf is in its dignity of style. Well, how can there be dignity in Beowulf without the monsters who give the characters in the poem its dignity. My last response to one of the arguments in Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics is how many critics claim that this poem should primarily be looked at as a historical piece, one reasoning being because of all the allusions that are attracting so much curiosity, research, and attention. So, maybe if these scholars or critics weren't spending so much time looking into these hints of some greater idea than enjoying the poem for what it is a fictional plot with monsters that make up and complete the story.

Beowulf Notes

2-Part Structure

Sunrise
We can see the sunrise of Beowulf's career. We are introduced to him as a young man who is out to win fame and honor his father's debts. His defeat of Grendel and Grendel's mother come at the beginning of his fame. He will go on and win other honors.

Sunset
We see the sunset of Beowulf's career and life. The second part of the story takes place over 50 years after the first. Beowulf is an old man and has been king for a long time. We witness the end of a great career.

3-Part Structure
3 Monsters - 3 Battles - each battle increasing in difficulty.

This structure focuses on the monsters. This is a story of three monsters and three battles. The danger of each battle and each monster increases as the story progresses.

-Grendel: The battle with Grendel is fought in Herot and with Beowulf waiting to ambush him. Beowulf fights with his bare hands.

-Grendel's Mother: The battle with the mother is fought in her lair. Beowulf, the intruder, swims for a day the depth of a fiery lake while the mother waits and ambushes him. He saves himself by using an ancient sword that he finds in her hall.

-The Dragon: The worm breathes fire and contains venom. Nothing compares to it, and to make matters more complicated Beowulf is an old man.

Interweaving Stories or Interlacing of Narrative
Presenting the narrative with memories of the past. So you have Beowulf fighting Grendal and then a story of the past that corresponds with what happened, or comment on it.

Action and Reflection; Action and Wisdom; Glorious Deeds and Feuds; Battles and Wisdom and Peace.

This structure uses the idea of the Anglo-Saxon belt with the interlacing knots suggesting that all things past and present - are connected. Wryd.

Parallelism
What happens in the main story is parallel to a story that the scop sings. Example the scop sing of Sigmund killing a dragon. This song parallels and foreshadows Beowulf later killing a dragon. The stories of feuds and ambushes in the text (such as the story of Finn) parallels the ambush and burning of Herot.

Seamus Heaney
-Sees a fifth way to look at the poem:

-The story and destiny of three nations:

-Danes

-Geats

-Swedes

Line Structure in Old English Poetry
-Old English Poetry worked primarily on stresses and alliteration.

-Each line had four stressed words. There was a pause or a caesura after the 2nd stress.

-Each line held three alliterative words.

-Gomban glyldan: paet waes god cyning!

Literary Devices
-Ceasura: A strong pause within a line.

-Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of two or more words.

-Litotes: A kind of understatement, often humerous, where the speaker or writer uses a negative of a word ironically to mean the opposite. Example: She's not the prettiest girl (she's damn ugly). Literary Example: "The Grave's a fine and private place, but none, I think, do there embrace.

-Kenning: A metaphorical phrase or compound metaphor (usually a two-word metaphor) used instead of the name of the thing (example: whale road or shepherd of evil). A compressed metonymy often involving a riddle.

Beowulf
-Bee Hunter. Kenning for bear.

Epic Hero
A hero in an epic. This hero usually has above average strength, intelligence, and morals. He is a symbol for what the culture stands for or believes in. Beowulf - represents the ultimate warrior in a warrior culture. Often the epic hero also has a flaw (a heroic flaw) that serves to remind the culture of faults even in the best of things.

Epic Boast
A kind of resume presented by the epic hero. It could be seen today as a type of bragging, but in the warrior culture it was expected of a warrior to discuss his achievements and prowess before asking for the right to fight a foe.

Flytes of Flyting
A game of verbal taunting between warriors. A type of epic boasting. A good example of this would be the verbal exchange between Beowulf and Unferth at the beginning.

Metonymy
A figure in speech in which one thing is represented by another that is commonly and often physically associated with it.
Example: Bendigeidfran's size, "No house could contain him, " could be a metonymy for the size of his army or kingdom.

Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole.
Example: Beowulf using "keel" to refer to his ship.

Appositive
A building up of phrases that mean the same thing. This was characteristic of oral poetry to have a set of stock phrases that could be used to fit a pattern. The build up is suppose to have climatic effect.
Example: The shepherd of evil, guardian of crime.

Motif
Any recurrent image, symbol, theme, character type, subject, or narrative detail.
Examples: -Kin Killing -Feuds and ambushes -Women mourning -The arming of the warrior, swords -Heads and limbs -The giving of gifts.

Allusion
A reference to a person, event, statement, or theme found in literature, the arts, myths, religion, or popular culture.
Beowulf contains numerous allusions to the Bible...to contrast paganism.
Example: Cain killing Abel...Grendel is an offspring of Cain.

Symbols
-Heorot -Grendel's Lair -Grendel's Arm -Swords -The Dragon's Treasure -The three monsters -Many of the characters in the digressions.

Characters
-Beowulf -Hrothgar -Unferth -Brecca -Shield Sheafson (Scyld Scefing) -Heorogar -Wulfgar -Grendal

Setting
Takes place in Denmark and Sweden.
Three major groups Danes, Geats, Swedes.

Roles of Women
Women: The female role in Beowulf is twofold. First it involves peacemaking biologically through a woman's marital ties with foreign kings as a peace -pledge or a mother of sons. Secondly, it involves peacemaking socially and psychologically as a cup -passing and peace-weaving queen within a hall.

-Hostless -Peace Pledge -Monster

Comitatus
Comitatus: Germanic tribes which invaded Britain held strong beliefs in the basic family unit and were industrious and warlike. They chose their kings for birth and their generals for merit. Even poor tribal members could become rich and powerful if they were willing and able to prove themselves brave and adept in battle. The practice of comitatus (a term used by the early historian Tacitus) was an agreement by which a youth would attach himself to a strong leader for the purpose of gaining riches and prestige. This arrangement could have been the precursor of the lord-thane relationship of feudal institutions of the time, which can also be observed in Beowulf.

-Exile was the worst thing that could happen to a war.
-Kin-killing was the worst crime that one could commit in this society.
-Cowardice equaled failure. It was better to die well in battle than to run away and live to fight another day.

Warrior Culture
Warriors: Warriors kept their armor and weapons at their sides at all times. The Beowulf poet praises the Geats, "They were always prepared for war, whether at home or in the field, as their lord required" (1246-50). The warrior's kit would include a helmet, shield, spear and chain main, and, if he had high status, a sword. They used crested or combed helmets from the 7th and 8th century, with a very sturdy all-iron construction. Mail shirts consisted of rows of riveted rings alternating with of butt-welded rings. The rings were of gray steel, skillfully formed into an intricate mesh, and they linked and jingled on the move.

War: For Germanic tribes, was was considered a natural, desirable and constant part of life.

Wealth: One of the roles of the king was to share wealth. Part of the function of a hall was to provide a setting for the sharing of wealth with the king's warriors and thanes.

Christianity
Christianity: The poet of Beowulf is Christian, but the society he describes is not. Sometimes the narrator's voice comments from a Christian perspective on pagan values, beliefs, and customs.

Revenge: The death of a kinsman must be avenged by his male relations, in blood or in money.

Kinsmen: The Germanic tribe had an enlarged definition of kin, including friends and those to whom one owed favors, even over generations.

Boasting: Boasting was considered an art and the prerogative of a warrior.

Fate: Pagan tradition depicts nature as hostile and the forces of death as uncontrollable. Blind fate picks random victims.

Paige Words

Sonnet- a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line.
Ex: The prologue in Romeo and Juliet.

Chorus

1 Two households, both alike in dignity,
2 In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
3 From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
4 Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
6 A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
7 Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
8 Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
9 The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
10 And the continuance of their parents' rage,
11 Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
12 Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
13 The which if you with patient ears attend,
14 What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Overstatement- an exaggerated statement or account.
Ex: "I literally died." "I'd give my right arm for a piece of pizza."

Paige Character Research Project

1. Conchobhar is the king of the Ulster in Irish mythology. Conchobhar is born after Ness, his mother, goes into labour by the river Conchobhar. Cathbad, Nessa's husband by force, tells her if she can manage not to give birth until the following day, her son will be a great king and have everlasting fame. The following morning Nessa gives birth. The baby falls in to the river, but Cathbad lifts him out, names hime Conchobhar after the river, and brings him up as his own son. Conchobhar becomes king at a very young age by the help of his mother refusing to marry Fergus, the Ulster king at the time, unless her son can be king for a year. Conchobhar rules so well that by the end of the year he decides that he should be king permanently. During Conchochar's rule, he goes to battle in the Cattle Raid of Cooley and the battle of Ros na Rig and comes out victorious. Conchobhar is eventually killed as a result of Meis-Geghra's brain being embeded into his head during a battle with the Connaught warriors. Seven years later he hears of Christ being crucified and gets so angry that Meis-Geghra's brain pops out of his head and he dies.


2. Here is a story of Conchobhar during his rule trying to make a woman, Deirdre, forcefully marry him. One day, when Conchobhar is visiting the house of his storyteller Fedlimid mac Daill, Fedlimid's wife gives birth to a daughter. Cathbad, now Conchobar's chief druid, prophesies that she will be so beautiful that kings will go to war over her, and she will bring nothing but sorrow. The child is named Deirdre, and Conchobhar decides to have her brought up in seclusion from men, intending to marry her when she comes of age. However, she elopes with a young warrior called Naoise. Along with Naoise's two brothers, the couple go into hiding, and are eventually forced to flee to Scotland. Wherever they settle, the local king tries to have the brothers killed so he can have Deirdre for himself, and they have to move on. Eventually Conchobar tracks them down to a remote island, and sends Fergus to them with his guarantee of safe passage home. On the way home he arranges for Fergus to be separated from his charges by having him invited to a feast, so they are escorted back to Emain Macha by Fergus's son Fiachu. When they arrive, Fiachu, Naoise and his brothers are murdered on Conchobar's orders by Eogan mac Durthacht, and Deirdre is forced to marry Conchobar.
Fergus, outraged by the death of his son and the betrayal of his honor, makes war against Conchobar, alongside Cormac Cond Longas, who sides with his foster-father against his father, and Dubthach Doeltenga. They burn Emain and slaughter the maidens of Ulster, before going into exile with Medb and her husband Ailill in Connacht.
Deirdre lives with Conchobar for a year, but during that time she never smiles, rarely eats or sleeps, and refuses to be comforted. Conchobar asks her what it is she hates, and she replies, "you, and Éogan mac Durthacht." Conchobar gives her to Éogan. The next day, riding in Éogan's chariot, she commits suicide by dashing her head against a stone.


3. Conchobhar symbolizes what makes up an awful king. You'll see this in numerous ways throughout the stories you read about him. First, let's compare a few qualites of a king to Conchobhar whom is supposed to carry out these traits. Kings are supposed to be compassionate, a good host, loyal to his country, fair in decisions, keeps his word, and be intelligent and wise. Conchobhar pretty much crosses all of these qualities. For example, Conchobhar does not perform the duty of being a good host or keeping his word when he gives his guarantee of a safe passage home to Dierdre, her lover Naoise, and his brothers after they runaway from Conchobhar. Conchobhar ends up murdering Naoise and his brothers and then takes Dierdre hostage. Conchobhar is definitely not compassionate when he forces Dierdre, who is in love with another man, to marry him. Dierdre ends up commiting suicide by dashing her head against a stone. During the battle with the Connaught warriors, you'll see that Conchobhar is not loyal to his country, (he leaves his men during battle), fair in decisions, (he decides that he should take a minute off from the battle thats happening right next to him to pose for the "enemies" women so they can admire his astonishing figure), or intelligent and wise, (considering he gets a brain ball slung into his head while he is being a self-centered and conceeded man). In my view it is surprising that his warriors stay so true and faithful to him until the very end.


4. In my opinion Conchobhar is an egotistical, ruthless man. If I was one of his warriors I would not have given him as much respect and loyalty as they did. All Conchobhar thinks of is himself. He wants the best woman, whether see likes him or not, he abondons his men in the middle of battle, and is dishonest and deceitful to get what he wants. I would not have wanted to be one of Conchobhar's warriors in his time.

5.

6. One literary device associated with Conchobhar would be the theme Paganism vs. Christianity. At the end of the story you see Conchobhar get very upset after he hears that Christ was crucified by the Jews. He gets so angry after hearing this that Meis-Geghra's brain pops out of his head and he dies. The blood from the wound baptises him as Christian, and his soul goes to heaven. This suggests that the author was probably Christian. I think that it implies if you are a pagan, your 'gods' or you are subject to wyrd (fate). Meaning that all men are doomed to die. Whereas God, rules wyrd itself. God will give you strength and security if you are faithful to him. Thus, providing you with salvation and glory for eternity.

Branwen Daughter of Llyr

Throughout the story, Branwen Daughter of Llyr, the author uses the motif the troublemaker to keep things moving along. The troublemaker, Efnisien, is who causes the uproar between the king of Ireland, Matholwch, and the king of the Island of the Mighty, Bendigeidfran, by mutilating Matholwch's horses. Efnisien maims the horses because he decides that it was wrong of the council to make the decision to bestow Branwen upon Matholwch without his consent. This then causes Matholwch to become hostile until Bendigeidfran makes peace and they come to an agreement. A few years later, Efnisien's little act comes to life again when some of Matholwch's subjects remind him of the shameful trick played on him over his horses. Once more there is two angered kings. Bendigeidfran then sets off to cross over the deep water to Ireland to settle this issue. After he arrives, things seemed to be going well and peace was at hand,until Efnisien decides to throw, the upcoming king of Ireland, Gwern son of Matholwch, headlong into a blazing fire, causing a great quarrel. It was because of this act that Bendigeidfran was poisoned with a spear and had to end his life along with that of many others. It was because of Efnisien that seven men set off to bury Bendigeidfran's head in the White Mount in London, their journey only taking them eighty-seven years to complete.